Have you ever gone outside on a cold day and your fingers get really cold, turn white and then start to turn blue and you start experiencing excruciating pain? Maybe this is just frost bite but not likely because you have to be outside for a long period of time, in the freezing cold, without gloves or mittens to get frost bite. It might be a disease you never even heard of before such as Raynaud’s Phenomenon or Raynaud’s Disease.
What is Raynaud’s Disease or Phenomenon?
Raynaud’s Phenomenon or Disease is caused by the cold weather or a difficult situation that may cause you stress or upset. I truly never heard about this disease until I read about it in the book, Best Choices from the People’s Pharmacy, then I decided to do some research to learn more. If you find yourself in the cold or facing a difficult situation and the arteries in your hands or feet start contracting, decreasing the blood flow to your hands and/or feet, this may be Raynaud’s Disease.
High blood pressure, drugs, connective tissue disease, inflammation of the arteries, or anything that can damage the blood vessels can cause this disease. Food allergies, junk food, and a poor diet that is high in starches and low in greens and minerals may also cause this disease. Some people who have slept in a cold environment for months at a time might develop Raynaud’s Disease. Therefore, it may be less easy to identify. Raynaud’s disease is similar to Buerger’s disease which is a nerve disorder that gradually cuts off blood supply to hands and feet.
The Difference Between the Disease and the Phenomenon
The difference between Raynaud’s phenomenon and Raynaud’s disease is that Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs equally in both men and women and will start showing symptoms usually after the age of 30. Raynaud’s phenomenon is usually causes by other bodily disorders and may only affect one side of the body.
Raynaud’s disease is more common in women and starts in your teens to early twenties, but can occur any time in your life. Also Raynaud’s disease will affect the whole body.
Treatment for Raynaud’s Disease and Phenomenon
Make sure to keep you feet and hands warm as much as possible or move to a warmer climate if possible.
Avoid contact with cold objects, even for the briefest amount of time. When cooking, use luke warm water instead of cold.
During an attack, put your feet or hands in warm water, not hot. The reason why you shouldn’t use hot water is because your skin could burn without you realizing it. Keep the temperature of the water at no more than 90 degrees.
Try to massage the feet or hands every evening to reduce your chance of an attack.
Stressful situations make your blood vessels contract, therefore try to stay away from anything stressful. I know that’s not easy but it is one way to treat this disease and/or prevent an attack.
Avoid fatty and fried foods and junk foods. At least half of your diet should be raw food and avoid foods that cause allergies. Also avoid anything with caffeine in it because caffeine restricts blood flow. Try to stick to a low sugar or no sugar diet.
Stay away from tobacco products and alcohol. Nicotine causes constrictions of blood vessels and reduces blood flow.
Medications prescribed for Raynaud’s Disease or phenomenon do not seem to help. The side effects are worse than the treatment. Also do not take birth control pills.
Stay away from machinery or anything that vibrates your hands as this can constrict the blood vessels.
Drink plenty of water, no soda and eat a high fiber diet.
Take Vitamin E.
Take Calcium and Magnesium.
Sprinkle a small amount of cayenne or garlic on your food.
Sunbathing seems to help because it strengthens both the body and the blood.
Take Astragalus root, a Chinese herb, to boost your immune system and your symptoms of Raynaud’s disease or phenomenon should go away.
One doctor suggests swinging your arms in circles to get the blood moving like it should.
Without the right kind of treatment for Raynaud’s disease or phenomenon, you could contract gangrene.
If you think you might have Raynaud’s disease or phenomenon try these treatments and contact a doctor right away.
Check out this website for more information.
