Raynaud's phenomenon

A condition called Raynaud's phenomenon that affects 5 to 10 percent of Americans actually constricts blood flow to the fingers, toes, even ears, lips and nose when a person experiences emotional stress or extreme cold.

The condition is an exaggeration of the body's natural response to cold or stress, which is to preserve warmth in the core around the vital organs by lessening blood flow to the extremities. With Raynaud's, the small arteries in the affected areas constrict spasmodically and completely deprive the area of blood, causing the change in skin color, numbness and ensuing painful tingling.

Although so-called primary Raynaud's is a condition independent of other health problems, secondary Raynaud's can be a result of connective tissue disorders, such as scleroderma, which causes painful stiffness and restricts circulation. Physicians suggest non-drug and self-help treatments for primary Raynaud's, which occurs 9 times more frequently in women than in men. Most important, they say, is to take action during the attack, which can last anywhere from a less than a minute to several hours.

When stress is the culprit, it's best to remove yourself from the situation and relax, meditate or try biofeedback. When that isn't a realistic option, soaking the affected areas in warm water or avoiding contact with anything cold can alleviate the symptoms. Doctors also recommend quitting smoking, getting regular exercise and enough sleep to help ensure maximum blood circulation.

Visit the Raynaud's Association Web site for information and insights on this condition.

January 26, 2002

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