Raynaud’s phenomenon is a common condition in which the blood vessels in the extremities overreact to cold or stress. As the days get colder, how can Raynaud’s sufferers manage their condition?
Winter is coming, and that means wrapping up warm. By the time Bonfire Night comes around, many of us have already invested in a woolly hat and scarf and brought our winter coat out of retirement.
However, some people have a harder time with the cold than others. If you’ve ever wondered why your hands change colour in response to cold temperatures – accompanied by tingling, pain or numbness – you could be one of the 10 million Brits who are affected by Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Identifying Raynaud’s
Raynaud’s phenomenon (also called Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud syndrome or simply Raynaud’s) is a condition in which the blood vessels in the extremities overreact to cold temperatures. While anyone can be affected, it’s more common in women than men, and typically begins between the ages of 15 and 30 years.
“With Raynaud’s, your blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, blocking the flow of blood,” explains Dr Adam Abbs, a GP at Medicspot. “You can usually identify Raynaud’s by a change of colour in your fingers, and less commonly, your toes. For some people, this may also affect the ears, nose, lips or nipples.”
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