When we’re in a cold room, it’s normal to feel cold. But if certain parts of the body, especially the fingers and toes, are cold to numb and even turn pale, You need to consult a doctor. The reason is the possibility that you suffer from a health disorder referred to as Raynaud’s disease or Raynaud’s syndrome.
Raynaud’s syndrome is a condition caused by reduced blood flow to certain parts of the body, especially the fingers or toes, due to narrowing of arterial blood vessels. This condition will cause the fingers or toes to be too sensitive in responding to cold temperatures, resulting in the skin turning pale and blue. Sometimes, Raynaud’s syndrome also occurs in the ears, nose, lips, and tongue.
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Big Toe Numb: The Causes, and Handling
Raynaud’s Syndrome Types
There are two types of Raynaud’s syndrome, namely:
Primary Raynaud’s syndrome (Raynaud’s disease).
The most common type of Raynaud’s syndrome and without being based on a previous medical condition. The condition can be mild and does not need to be treated.
Secondary Raynaud’s syndrome (Raynaud’s phenomenon).
Secondary Raynaud’s syndrome is caused by other medical conditions, such as autoimmune diseases or arterial disorders. This secondary type is more serious, and requires further treatment and examination at the hospital.
The condition does not cause paralysis, but can affect the quality of life of the sufferer. During Raynaud’s syndrome, the sufferer will find it difficult to do simple things, such as buttoning clothes.
Raynaud’s Syndrome Symptoms
Raynaud’s symptoms include, among other things, the hands and feet change color. Most types, first turned white, are likely followed by a stage where the hands can become very bluish and then in the final stage become reddish. This condition is called “France Three Colors” which corresponds to the discoloration of Raynaud’s, namely: white, blue, and red. This color change due to changes in blood flow to the limbs. (White color is caused by lack of blood).
Read also:
Causes and cure for cold feet
Raynaud’s Syndrome Causes
General Causes
Raynaud’s exact cause is unknown. It is possible that some blood disorders can cause Raynaud’s by increasing the thickness of the blood. This may occur due to excess platelets or red blood cells. Or special receptors in the blood that control the narrowing of blood vessels may be more sensitive.
- Arterial diseases (such as atherosclerosis and Buerger’s disease).
- Drugs that cause narrowing of blood vessels (such as amphetamines, some types of beta-blockers, some cancer drugs, certain medications used for migraine headaches).
- Arthritis and autoimmune conditions (such as scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus).
- Recurring injuries or use (such as from typing, playing the piano, or using heavy hand tools).
- Smo**king, frostbite and thoracic exit syndrome.
The Raynaud’s phenomenon can also occur for no other reason. This is called the primary Raynaud’s phenomenon. It most often begins in people younger than the age of 30.
Raynaud’s syndrome risk factors
Women are more at risk of the Raynaud’s phenomenon than men. In addition, Raynaud’s disease is also most common in the 15-30 year old age group. People with primary Raynaud’s, live in cold climates, and have families with a history of the disease are also at high risk of developing the Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Raynaud’s Syndrome Diagnosis
Raynaud’s is actually a description of the clinic. The path to diagnosing Raynaud’s is by getting a good history of the disease from the patient and asking the patient to describe what happened to their hands. If the patient says, “Doctor, on exposure to cold air or during stressful conditions, my hands turn white and may become bluish.” This answer clearly gives an idea to the doctor to diagnose that it is Raynaud’s.
Raynaud’s Syndrome Complications
Side effects or complications that can occur if the Raynaud’s phenomenon is not treated are tissue damage, ulcers, gangrene, even amputation.
