Treating Raynaud’s Syndrome

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In our last article we looked at what Raynaud’s syndrome was and how people developed it. In this article we will look at what treatment is available for the condition.
The main aims of treating Raynaud’s Syndrome are to reduce the amount and severity of attacks and to stop tissue damage in fingers and toes. Many doctors try to treat primary and secondary Raynaud’s with non drug treatments and self help techniques before taking more drastic action. Most medication based treatment is prescribed to sufferers of secondary Raynaud’s with treatment also being given to help treat any underlying diseases that cause it.
There are some non drug treatments and self help techniques that can reduce the severity of a Raynaud’s attack, One being to take action during an attack, if done so correctly you can reduce the length and severity of the attack. The first step is to keep your extremities warm by going indoors and putting your feet or hands in warm water. Relaxing will also help bring an end to the attack as stress can be a factor in why they started. Biofeedback techniques along with warming the extremities help lessen the attack.
Prevention is also a good idea to help avoid attacks. The cold is a main cause so sufferers should make sure they dress warm in cold weather. Warm clothes, gloves and hats are recommended for when it is cold outdoors. If you know you will be spending a long amount of time outside you could consider using a chemical heating pack. Sufferers of secondary Raynaud’s should consult a doctor before exercising outdoors when it is cold.
Air conditioning has been known to cause attacks so it is always best to turn it off or down or wear a jumper and keep warm if it is not an option.
Nicotine from smoking causes the skins temperature to drop, so sufferers should avoid smoking if they want to lessen attack frequency.
Stress is also a big factor of triggering attacks, so sufferers should avoid stressful situation and use relaxation techniques to help reduce severity of attacks. The biofeed techniques mentioned earlier in the article are when people can bring the temperature of their fingers under voluntary control.
People who suffer from secondary Raynaud’s disease are the one more likely to be treated with medication. The safest and most effective medicine is considered to be calcium channel blockers, which relax and dilate small blood vessels. Patients who take these drugs have a 75% chance of them reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.
Another medicine treatment is alpha blockers that counteract norepinephrine, which is a hormone that constricts blood vessels. Othe vasodilator drugs are used to relax blood vessels but as with all treatments are not always successful. Consulting your doctor and trial and error will usually determine which combinations of techniques are best suited to helping treat your condition.

~HealthCrazed.com

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