What Is Raynaud

Among the several rare blood disorders, you will often hear about Raynaud's Disease or "Raynaud's phenomenon". These rare blood disorders affect the blood vessels and will cause the blood vessels...

Among the several rare blood disorders, you will often hear about Raynaud’s Disease or “Raynaud’s phenomenon”. These rare blood disorders affect the blood vessels and will cause the blood vessels to narrow or constrict. When this happens, the patient will feel a decreased blood flow into the extremities, usually the toes and the fingers. Sometimes this decreased blood flow will also be felt in the ears, nose and the lips.

While this is a rare form of blood disease, it is certainly not unheard of. In fact, while this is a bothersome condition, it is certainly not life threatening and people can learn to manage their condition quite well. Doctors can give medications and therapy to help the symptoms. In addition, some lifestyle changes can reduce the symptoms.

Types of Raynauds Disease: There are two forms of Raynaud’s disease, primary and secondary. There are many things that are known to cause the blood vessels to constrict. Both stressful situations and cold temperatures can cause this to happen. When one of the attacks takes place, the skin will become white and then blue. As the blood vessels open back up and the blood starts to flow, the skin will start to turn red. After this, the areas that are affected will feel tingly-almost as if the affected areas are asleep and waking up. If these conditions continue and become severe, then sometimes sores will from and in very severe situations gangrene can set in the affect areas.

Causes for this blood disease: Another cause for the attacks can be sudden changes in temperature. Prolonged exposure to the cold with Raynauds may result in frostbite, but under normal circumstances such as cold temperatures or touching something that is cold, the condition will not last long and the blood flow will continue. With severe conditions, exposure to the temperature dip for as little as twenty minutes can cause serious problems.

The reason for Raynauds disease is not completely known. With secondary disease, these conditions can be caused by working conditions. In addition, if you have a disease that damages the blood vessels may result in this disease. In addition, repetitive action that can damage the nerves as well as certain medical conditions and chemicals will cause this disease.

Diseases that cause this blood disorder include schleroderma, lupus, atherosclerosis, certain forms of arthritis, and Buerger’s disease. High blood pressure and thyroid problems can cause it as well. You may think that problems caused by repetitive motion is not serious, however you can get this problem with some forms of motion. If you spend a lot of time typing, knitting, playing the piano or other small actions of the hand, you need to be aware of Raynauds.

If you suspect that you have problems and it sounds like Raynauds disease, then the best thing you can do is to see your doctor. There are tests that can be done to see if you have this condition. Treatment options and therapy can help you feel better.

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