Do You Have Poor Circulation or Raynaud’s Syndrome?
If your toes or fingers ever turn pale and go numb when exposed to the cold, you may think it’s just poor circulation, and you could be right. But the culprit may also be Raynaud’s Syndrome. Because this is Raynaud’s Awareness Month, today Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, is sharing information regarding this condition.
It's Not Just Poor Circulation
When exposed to the cold, your body responds by trying to maintain your core temperature. When this occurs, the blood vessels located near the surface of your skin tighten, which redirects blood flow deeper into the body. If you suffer from Raynaud’s Syndrome, this progression is more intense, and even the slightest fluctuations in air temperature can trigger an episode.
Raynaud’s Syndrome can occur at any time of year, such as when you walk into an air-conditioned building, reach into the freezer section at the supermarket, or come out of a heated pool. The condition affects not only the hands, but also the feet and, in some cases, the lips, ears, and nose.
During an attack, the small arteries that supply the toes and fingers contract sporadically, which hampers the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the skin. Several of these vessels may even collapse temporarily, and the skin becomes cool and pale, sometimes turning a stark white color.
Raynaud’s Syndrome is referred to as a circulation issue, but it’s very different than what you might think of as poor circulation. Poor or limited circulation typically affects older patients whose arteries have narrowed with fatty plaque. It is often caused by high blood pressure, smoking, and high cholesterol.
In contrast, Raynaud’s usually impacts younger females who don’t have those issues. In these cases, the circulation malfunction is usually temporary and completely reversible.
Preventing and Treating Raynaud’s Syndrome
The most effective treatment for this condition is to stop episodes from happening in the first place by avoiding unprotected or sudden exposure to cold temperatures.
Other tips include wearing gloves while in cold grocery store aisles and preheating your car before getting in.
It’s also best to avoid medicines and behavior that can cause blood vessels to tighten. This includes not taking certain medications, such as allergy and cold, and migraine drugs. Emotional stress can also trigger an episode of Raynaud’s, so consider techniques and tools that can help you relieve stress. And if you’re a smoker, quit!
Once an episode begins, it’s essential that you warm up the affected limbs as quickly as possible. When the blood vessels start to relax and blood flow goes back to normal, the skin becomes flushed, warm, and red. The fingers or toes may tingle or throb.
If you do experience these symptoms and wonder if you have Raynaud’s Syndrome, contact the office of Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Glen Burnie, Maryland, at (410) 761-3501.