14/02/2024
February is Raynauds awareness month
Raynaud's disease causes some areas of the body — such as fingers and toes — to feel numb and cold in response to cold temperatures or stress. In Raynaud's disease, smaller arteries that supply blood to the skin narrow. This limits blood flow to affected areas, which is called vasospasm.
Symptoms of Raynaud's disease include:
* Cold fingers or toes.
* Areas of skin that turn white then blue. Depending on your skin color, these color changes may be harder or easier to see.
* Numb, prickly feeling or stinging pain upon warming or stress relief.
During an attack of Raynaud's, affected areas of the skin usually first turn pale. Next, they often change color and feel cold and numb. When the skin warms and blood flow improves, the affected areas may change color again, throb, tingle or swell.
Raynaud's most commonly affects fingers and toes. But it also can affect other areas of the body, such as nose, lips, ears and even ni***es. After warming up, the return of blood flow to the area can take 15 minutes.
Top tips
* keep your home warm
* wear warm clothes during cold weather, especially on your hands and feet
* try to avoid sudden changes in temperature
* exercise regularly – this helps improve circulation
* try breathing exercises or yoga to help you relax
* eat a healthy, balanced diet