Cold Fingers? Try These 6 Raynaud's Phenomenon Remedies

Understanding Raynaud's Phenomenon

Raynaud's phenomenon is named after the scientist who discovered it. It may even be considered as one of the body's responses to certain situations. This does not occur with everyone. This usually happens with those people who are genetically inclined to it. Exact cause of this phenomenon is unknown yet. 

This concept is better explained if we turn towards Ayurveda for more information. As per Ayurvedic experts, body type decides the quality of a person's entire lifetime. Body type means the dominance of one or more of the five elements based on parental contribution, climate, time and region of birth. This has a lot to do with how one reacts to temperatures. 

In this case, response to stimuli like cold, mental stress, other diseases and emotional upheaval is related to one's personal body type. 

Some research predicts that Raynaud's phenomenon may be due to certain blood disorders that makes blood thicker in response to certain stimuli. This may occur because some excessive platelets or RBCs or certain receptors may promote rapid narrowing of blood vessels. 

Raynaud's phenomenon sets in when blood circulation is disrupted particularly in the areas surrounding the nerve endings. This reduces oxygen on the local areas and disrupts the normal function. This leads to the following symptoms: 

1. Rapid paleness of fingers and toes. Slowly one may notice fingers turning blue. Upon exposure to warmth, fingers may again turn red or pink. 
2. Cramps of toes and fingers that simulate nervous collapse. 
3. Upon prolonged exposure to cold, hands become sore 
4. After temperature turns warmer, the fingers and the toes become red and sometimes swollen 
5. In rare cases, frequent exposure to Raynaud's phenomenon, may lead to gangrene of fingers. 

Now this being the case before we delve into the 6 proven ways to handle Raynaud's phenomenon, let us look into all the risk factors of this phenomenon. 

Risk Factors of Raynaud's Phenomenon

Though this condition may occur to anyone, there are many risk factors that make one more susceptible to this phenomenon. Here are a few: 

• Autoimmunity - Any kind of autoimmunity can aggravate Raynaud's phenomenon. This includes but is not limited to certain localised allergies too. 
• Chemical exposure - Any sudden or chronic exposure to harmful chemicals, can lead to development of Raynaud's phenomenon. 
• Tobacco and alcohol - Both these can weaken the immune system and lead to this phenomenon 
• Mechanical use of tools - Usage of repeated tools can disrupt the blood flow and cause Raynaud's phenomenon 
• Trauma - This can develop due to any injury or accident as a post traumatic effect. 
• Side effect of certain medications - Certain anti inflammatory drugs may lead to intolerance to cold and cause this phenomenon 

Since this phenomenon is purely body response mechanism impairment, a complete cure is not there. However there are certain ways in which this can be managed. Here are 6 wonderful ways in which Raynaud's phenomenon can be handled. 

6 Ways in Which Raynaud's Phenomenon Can Be Managed

Certain simple yet effective strategies can be useful to handle this phenomenon. Here are a few: 

Keep Yourself Warm 

Cold exposure is the main trigger of Raynaud's phenomenon. Keeping oneself warm is very important to prevent Raynaud's phenomenon. Copper apparels are recommended to combat Raynaud's. It helps to retain heat and acts as a shield against cold.

Several therapeutic garments including copper pyjamas, gloves and stockings are available and they can be relied upon. Preferably heat retention nightwear can promote sleep quality and calm down stress levels. 

Stress Management 

According to recent studies, emotional stress is a great contributor to Raynaud's phenomenon. Stress levels affect the heart rate, and increase vasoconstriction leading to sudden coldness of extremities and associated blood pressure rise. 

Controlling stress levels is very important in case of Raynaud's phenomenon. Effective stress management techniques against Raynaud's include meditation, mindfulness practice and yoga techniques. 

As simple as deep breathing during a work schedule can help reduce stress levels. 

Regular Exercise 

There are many therapeutic exercises that can prove to be effective to manage Raynaud's syndrome. These exercises mainly focus on improving blood circulation and relieving stiffness, swelling and numbness due to this condition: 

• Wrist Circling - this is simple and effective exercises. Rotating wrists frequently clockwise and counterclockwise can improve blood circulation to the extremities 
• Finger Stretches - Stretching your finger to and fro can improve circulation to the fingers and improve nervous coordination too. 
• Arm Rotation - This stimulates the entire arm and improves circulation. 
• Jumping - This stimulates neuromuscular coordination with the feet and the spine. 15 to 20 jumps three times is effective for the day
• Walking - This is a universal exercise that gives a lot of health benefits. Early morning walk can prove to be good for your hormones too. 

Yoga for Ranaud's Phenomenon

• Surya Namaskar - This set of 12 yoga poses also called the sun salutation, is an excellent way to set right circulation, maintain balance within the body and improve circulation. 
• Ustrasana - This is also called camel pose. This bends the spinal cord and sets right nervous coordination, It dilates the blood vessels and minimised constriction 
• Hasta Padasana - This hand and feet pose can regulate temperature, minimise stress and relieve symptoms all at once

Regular exercise is an effective way to handle Raynaud's symptoms. 

Nutritional Supplementation

The best way is to avoid all those factors that trigger Raynaud's symptoms. However, improving nutrition can support response mechanisms.  Calcium rich food sources minimise sudden vasoconstriction and help avoid symptoms. 

Niacin and other nutritional supplements can also improve immunity and prevent autoimmune triggered Raynaud's syndrome 

Diet 

Good diet is an effective way to handle stress, climatic changes and other factors that trigger a Raynaud's attack. Ideally a diet rich in antioxidants, a lot of fruits and honey can improve immunity greatly. 

Restrain From Smoking 

This can improve the load of toxins in the body and greatly reduce the symptoms. 

Biofeedback Therapy for Raynaud's

This is a technology driven mind-body mechanism that helps you to control some of the body's functions based on the data. So, you are connected to a sensor based device via electrical pads and you receive information about heart rate, muscle function, body temperature etc. 

This helps you set values for some of the body functions via electrical signals. This technique is effective to control vitals that may trigger Raynaud's symptoms. 

Raynaud's biofeedback includes guided imagery to control body temperature in hands and feet, breathing rate and other exercises for relaxing. 

Research has shown that thermal biofeedback effectively controls symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon. 

The ideal way to deal with Raynaud's is to prevent an attack. For this to effectively happen, good body analysis is important. Identifying one's own body type can help to understand body' responses to stress, and other circumstances. 

Conclusion

Raynaud's, though not uncommon, can affect quality of life leading to awkward situations. It can primarily be managed via effective consultation with our Nirva experts. 

These 6 ways can effectively manage the symptoms. Ayurvedic body type can throw a lot of insight on one's own ability to respond to stimuli. This knowledge can help avoid triggers of Raynaud's phenomenon.