Is Raynaud's a neurological disorder?

(People exposed to cold weather are well aware of these mechanisms.) Cold, of course, is the main trigger in Raynaud's phenomenon, although roughly one-third of patients experience it in response to stress and anxiety -- another indication that the condition is neurological and even psychological in origin.

What type of disorder is Raynaud's?

Raynaud's phenomenon is a disorder that causes decreased blood flow to the fingers. In some cases, it also causes less blood flow to the ears, toes, nipples, knees, or nose. Spasms of blood vessels happen in response to cold, stress, or emotional upset.

Does Raynaud's syndrome affect the brain?

When it's cold outside, some lupus patients develop Raynaud's, which is where the vessels over constrict and turn blue. If it's warm, they can over dilate and turn red. The same phenomenon can occur in the brain. Over dilation can cause a headache and over constriction can produce a mental fog.

Is Raynaud's an autoimmune illness?

The majority of cases of secondary Raynaud's are associated with autoimmune conditions, which cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue. Autoimmune conditions known to be associated with secondary Raynaud's include: scleroderma – a condition that causes hardening and thickening of the skin.

What is the difference between Raynaud's disease and Raynaud's syndrome?

Primary Raynaud's(or Raynaud's disease) happens without any other illness behind it. The symptoms are often mild. Secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon) results from another illness. It's often a condition that attacks your body's connective tissues, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon : What You Should Know | Johns Hopkins Medicine

Is Raynaud's classed as a disability?

Generally speaking, to qualify for disability, your Raynaud's syndrome must: Cause gangrene in two or more extremities. Include severe ulcerations on the toes or fingers which make it impossible to perform fine or gross motor movements effectively.

Is raynauds a symptom of MS?

If you have MS, you may also be at risk for Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition in which your fingers and toes lose heat. They turn from white to blue to red as the blood begins flowing again. You may feel numbness, pain, or like someone is sticking you with pins and needles.

Can Raynaud's cause nerve damage?

Secondary Raynaud's is linked to diseases and conditions that directly damage the arteries. The disorder is also linked to diseases and conditions that damage the nerves that control the arteries in the hands and feet.

What foods to avoid if you have Raynaud's?

Always try to maintain a balanced, healthy diet and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Some food supplements have helped Raynaud's sufferers, including evening primrose oil, gingko biloba and fish oils. Certain foods are also believed to help, like ginger, garlic and spicy food.

Does Raynaud's affect life expectancy?

A research group at MedUni Wien (Medical University of Vienna) has discovered through simple tests that people with Raynaud's phenomenon face not only the risk of another disease, but also a reduced life expectancy. Through this, it can be determined which affected patients benefit from regular doctor's appointments.

Is Raynaud's a form of neuropathy?

Abstract. The pathophysiologic factors of primary Raynaud phenomenon (RP) are unknown. Preliminary evidence from skin biopsy suggests small-fiber neuropathy (SFN) in primary RP.

Is Raynaud's linked to dementia?

People with Sneddon syndrome may also have symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon, where blood flow to fingers and toes is restricted. Sneddon is also linked with an increased risk of high blood pressure, kidney problems, heart valve disease and dementia.

Can Raynaud's affect mental health?

As a psychological reaction to diagnosis is also likely, it is necessary to consider the likelihood of individuals living with Raynaud's also developing depression and anxiety, and suffering from a worse quality of life, and hence to develop appropriate techniques to combat this.

How Serious Is Raynaud's Phenomenon?

Raynaud's phenomenon is common and does not usually cause severe problems. You can often treat the symptoms yourself by keeping warm. Sometimes it can be a sign of a more serious condition.

Does Raynaud's syndrome get worse with age?

It is a progressive condition, meaning it tends to worsen as a person gets older. Initially it may only affect the tips of the fingers or toes, but over time may affect whole fingers and toes.

What is the best medication for Raynaud's?

Calcium channel blockers are the class of drugs most widely used for treatment of Raynaud syndrome—especially the dihydropyridines (eg, nifedipine, nicardipine), which are the most potent vasodilators. Nifedipine is the customary first choice.

What vitamins should I take for Raynaud's?

Inositol hexaniacinate , a form of vitamin B3 or niacin, may reduce frequency of Raynaud's attacks.

What aggravates Raynaud's?

Cold temperatures, smoking, and stress aggravate Raynaud's phenomenon. You can help reduce the number of attacks and improve your overall health by following these tips from the American College of Rheumatology (ACR). The ACR also advises those with Raynaud's to pay special attention to their hands and feet.

What medications make Raynaud's worse?

What medications make Raynauds worse? Patients with Raynaud's should avoid medications that constrict blood vessels, including migraine medications (ergotamine and triptans), over-the-counter cold and allergy medications, diet aids, beta-blockers, and birth control pills.

How does Raynaud disease affect the heart?

Patients with both primary and secondary Raynaud's phenomenon have an abnormally low blood penetration in the heart tissue, which likely explains the increased death rates from heart disease in these patients.

Is there a test for Raynaud's disease?

To tell the difference between primary and secondary Raynaud's, your doctor might do a test called nailfold capillaroscopy. During the test, the doctor looks at the skin at the base of your fingernail under a microscope or magnifier to look for deformities or swelling of the tiny blood vessels.

Does Raynaud's cause weight loss?

Low body weight and involuntary weight loss are associated with Raynaud's phenomenon in both men and women. Scand J Rheumatol.

Can you get benefits if you have Raynaud's?

If the pain and limitations from Raynaud's prevent you from working, you may be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. In order to qualify for Social Security disability, you must prove to the Social Security Administration (SSA) that you are unable to perform consistent full-time work due to your illness.

Is Raynaud's disease a form of arthritis?

Raynaud's syndrome has been linked to another inflammatory type of arthritis called rheumatoid arthritis. Still, Raynaud's is less common in rheumatoid arthritis compared with other types of rheumatic diseases, such as lupus. Raynaud's phenomenon is a type of vasculitis.

Does caffeine affect Raynaud's?

Caffeine triggers Raynaud's in some people; try avoiding it for a while to see if that helps. Act quickly to end an attack. Once a Raynaud's episode starts, get warm as quickly as possible. Soak your hands or feet in warm (not hot) water.