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What is the Treatment for Raynaud's Disease?

Explore Raynaud's disease treatment options, from lifestyle changes to medications. Prioritize prevention and management for a better quality of life. Health insurance is recommended.

  • 25 Jan 2024
  • 3 min read
  • 60 views

Raynaud's phenomenon is a condition in which smaller arteries that supply blood to the skin shrink excessively in response to cold, limiting blood supply to the affected area. It is a condition in which some areas of the body feel numb and cool. Raynaud's disease treatment doesn't always involve medications or invasive treatments, but lifelong strategies to minimise triggers and manage symptoms effectively are typically necessary once diagnosed. Treatment for Raynaud's disease typically involves managing symptoms and preventing episodes by keeping warm, managing stress and avoiding triggers.

Treatment for Raynaud's Disease 

Blood tests can help determine if another condition, like an autoimmune or connective tissue sickness, is causing Raynaud's disease.

Blood tests for Raynaud's include:

  • Antinuclear antibodies test or ANA test: A positive experimental outcome frequently implies an autoimmune disease.
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This test shows the rate at which red blood cells tumble to the lower part of a tube. A quicker-than-normal rate could indicate swelling or autoimmune disease.

Side effects of Raynaud's disease can be soothed by dressing up in layers with thick socks and gloves to keep the hands and feet warm. Medicines can treat more serious side effects. 

The objectives of Raynaud's disease treatment are to:

  • Decrease the number and seriousness of attacks
  • Prevent tissue harm
  • Treat the basic illness or condition

Prescription

Depending upon the reason for symptoms and effects, medication could help. Medicines used to treat individuals with Raynaud's sickness might include:

  • Calcium channel blockers: These medications unwind and open little veins in the hands and feet. These medications can additionally assist with mending injuries on fingers or toes. Models incorporate nifedipine (Procardia), amlodipine (Norvasc), felodipine and isradipine.
  • Vasodilators: These medications loosen up veins. They incorporate the hypertension drug losartan (Cozaar), the erectile dysfunction medication sildenafil (Viagra, Revatio), the anti-depressant stimulant fluoxetine (Prozac) and a class of prescriptions called prostaglandins.

Medical procedures and operations

Medical procedures or injections can treat severe Raynaud's disease.

  • Nerve surgery: Nerves in the hands and feet control the opening and contracting of veins in the skin. Through little cuts in the impacted hands or feet, a surgeon strips small nerves around the veins. This medical procedure, if fruitful, could result in fewer and shorter attacks.
  • Chemical injection: Shots of desensitising medications or onabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) can block/freeze nerves in impacted hands or feet. If the symptoms persist, the injections are given more than once. 

Lifestyle changes and home remedies

Some lifestyle changes can help prevent Raynaud's attacks such as:

  • Keep away from smoke: Smoking, vaping or taking in another person's smoke shrinks veins. This leads to a drop in skin temperature.
  • Workout: Physical activity increases blood flow. Furthermore, it has numerous other medical advantages. In case of secondary Raynaud's disease, converse with the medical expert before exercising outside.
  • Extra pressure: Stress can initiate the side effects. Track down ways of decreasing and staying away from stress and pressure. Getting more activity, practising self-care and joining support groups are a few options to lessen anxiety.
  • Try not to change temperatures quickly. Do whatever it takes not to go rapidly from heat to cool temperatures like an air-conditioned room.

Also read:

Conclusion 

Raynaud's disease treatment often involves ongoing management and lifestyle adjustments. While there's no known cure for Raynaud's, the treatment typically focuses on minimising the frequency and severity of episodes through lifestyle changes, such as avoiding cold temperatures, managing stress and sometimes medications. Many tests, prevention measures, detection, treatment and patient condition management are needed, and the treatment costs a fortune. Thus, health insurance is recommended to prevent frequent and unexpected expenses.

 

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