Conditions

Raynaud's Disease

Raynaud's disease is a circulatory disorder that results in the hands, and sometimes the feet, being hypersensitive to the cold. When exposed to the cold, the small arteries in the fingers and toes suddenly contract and go into spasms. As a result, the fingers and toes are deprived of adequate amounts of oxygenated blood, and become whitish or bluish in color. Over time, the condition may result in a general shrinkage of the affected area and ulcers may form. In severe cases, gangrene may result from prolonged and persistent contraction of the arteries.

Signs and Symptoms:

• Changes in skin color in the fingers or toes and sometimes in the nose, legs, or earlobes (may occur in three phases: pallor, cyanosis, rubor)
• Throbbing, tingling, numbness, and pain
• Atrophy of the terminal fat pads
• Gangrenous ulcers near fingertips

Diagnosis:
Symptom analysis and physical examination comprises diagnostic procedure. Your doctor may also order laboratory tests to rule out other conditions.

Treatment Options:
The primary goal is to reduce frequency and severity of episodes, prevent tissue damage, and treat underlying disease, if present.

Traditional Treatments:

Complementary and Alternative Therapies:
Raynaud's is a poorly understood syndrome that may be helped with alternative therapies that improve circulation and support general health. Begin with nutritional support and circulatory stimulants.

Nutritional Supplementation:

• Take a multivitamin and mineral supplement each day.
• Fish oils decrease inflammation and may improve circulation. Take 1,000 mg twice a day.
• Grape-seed extract is an antioxidant that also improves circulation. Take 500 mg twice a day.
• Green-foods supplements are full of important trace minerals that are essential to the health of the nervous system. Follow the label directions.
• The B vitamins enhance circulation and are important for proper transmission of nerve impulses. Take a B-complex vitamin that supplies 50 mg of each of the major B vitamins.
• Vitamin E is a mild blood thinner and enhances circulation. Choose a product containing mixed tocopherols and take 200 IU twice daily for three weeks, then increase the dosage to 400 units twice daily. Warning: If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily. If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E.
• Coenzyme Q10 improves tissue oxygenation. Take 100 to 200 mg daily.

Alternative Therapies:

• Ginkgo biloba extract acts as a vasodilator to increase circulation throughout the small arteries of the body.
• Hawthorn improves peripheral circulation.
• Siberian ginseng helps the body adapt to stress and helps to strengthen the nervous system.
• Black cohosh aids in circulation and lowers cholesterol levels.
  Warning: Do not take black cohosh if you are pregnant.
• Butcher's broom, cayenne, ginkgo biloba, and pau d'arco can be used separately or in combination to improve circulation and strengthen blood vessels.
• Hyssop may prove helpful for problems affecting the circulation.

General Recommendations:

• Avoid caffeine, as it constricts the blood vessels.
• Keep your hands and feet warm.
• Avoid stress as much as possible.
• Avoid drugs that constrict the blood vessels, such as birth control pills and migraine headache medicine.
• Do not smoke, as nicotine constricts the blood vessels.

Warnings:

• Do not take black cohosh if you are pregnant.
• If you have high blood pressure, limit your intake of supplemental vitamin E to a total of 400 IU daily.
• If you are taking blood thinners, consult your doctor before taking supplemental vitamin E and/or ginkgo biloba.