Facts about Raynaud’s
October is Raynaud’s Awareness Month, and at NY Foot Health, we want to emphasize this year’s theme: “Listen to your inner voice,” if you think your cold feet and hand symptoms are unusual and get an answer to the question, “could it be Raynaud’s?” It’s estimated that as much as 10% of the population suffers from this condition, but over 90% don’t realize they have a medical condition.
Here are some facts about Raynaud’s to help get the word out
Fact: Raynaud’s is a medical condition that affects the small blood vessels of the extremities, like your feet, toes, and hands. Exposure to cold or stress can cause these blood vessels to go into spasms, greatly reducing the blood flow to these areas.
Fact: Symptoms of Raynaud’s can range from mildly uncomfortable to very painful. They include:
Toes and fingers (and other extremities) turn white or blue when exposed to cold
Numbness
Throbbing, tingling, or burning sensations
Pain
Extreme sensitivity to cold
Fact: There are two types of Raynaud’s: Primary and Secondary. Primary Raynaud’s is the more common type, and it occurs on its own. Secondary Raynaud’s is diagnosed in patients whose condition is associated with another medical problem or disease, such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma.
Fact: What causes Raynaud’s is still unknown, although we recognize many triggers that cause symptoms. Some of these include exposure to cold—whether through low temperatures outdoors or inside or reaching into a freezer and stress. Researchers believe there may be a genetic component to Raynaud’s as it can run in families. It may also be a precursor to certain autoimmune diseases or a response to trauma, smoking (which narrows blood vessels), circulatory diseases, drug use, or chemical exposure.
Fact: There is no known cure for Raynaud’s, but many things can be done to reduce the frequency and severity of the attacks. If you ask yourself questions such as, “Why am I the only one who’s freezing? Why do my toes go numb when I’m stressed? How come my fingertips turn colors in the cold?” it’s time to evaluate your condition. Contact your podiatrist for an appointment. If you don’t have a podiatrist, use our online directory to find one near you.
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