Reynaud’s Phenomenom
Reynaud's phenomenon can occur on its own, or it can be secondary to another condition such as scleroderma or lupus. It is a condition where blood vessels in the fingers and toes (and sometimes in the earlobes, nose, and lips) constrict. It is usually triggered by cold or by emotional stress. Episodes are intermittent and may last minutes or hours. Approximately 5 to 10 percent of the U.S. population is affected, and women are affected five times more often than men. It usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 40 in women and later in life in men.
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: white, blue, then red)
- Throbbing, tingling, numbness, and pain
- Deterioration of the pads on fingertips or toes
- Gangrenous ulcers near fingertips
Causes
Risk factors for Reynaud’s Phenomenom include the following:
- Cigarette smoking
- Age in women (onset primarily between the ages of 20 and 40)
- Occupation (for example, using vibrating tools such as chain saws and jackhammers)
- Drug use, including some cancer drugs, narcotics, and over-the-counter cold medications
- Electric shock injury
- Previous frostbite
- Repetitive physical stress (for example, typing or playing the piano)
- Primary pulmonary hypertension
- Exposure to cold
- Psychological stress
- General medical conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus, and carpal tunnel syndrome
Integrative Medicine Treatment Options
We combine the best of conventional medicine with the best of complementary and alternative therapies to give you optimal results.
Here are some options we use at the Alliance Institute for Integrative Medicine LOCATED IN Cincinnati, Ohio
- Acupuncture
- Herbal Therapies, Supplements & Medication
- Lifestyle Counseling
- Energy Healing
- Medical Massage Therapy
