Doctor explains Raynaud's disease and syndrome | Causes, prevention and treatment

In this video Doctor O'Donovan explains key things you need to know about Raynaud's including what it is, causes, prevention and treatment.

Do your fingers ever turn white or blue in the cold?

Doctor O'Donovan also explains the difference between Raynaud's disease and syndrome. Primary Raynaud's (or Raynaud's disease) happens without any other illness behind it. The symptoms are often mild. Secondary Raynaud's (Raynaud's syndrome, Raynaud's phenomenon) results from another illness. It's often a condition that attacks your body's connective tissues, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

Symptoms:

Symptoms can include issues with your hands, toes, or other parts of your body, including:

A. Color changes. As blood flow stops and then returns, your skin color may change from white to blue to red. Some people don't experience all three changes in skin color.
B. Feeling cold or numb. This happens when your finger or other affected body part isn't receiving oxygen-rich blood. It feels like that part of your body has "fallen asleep."
C. Feeling warmth, tingling or throbbing: This happens as blood flow returns to your affected body part.

Some treatment tips:

- Avoid cold spaces (like the frozen food aisle or extreme air conditioning).
- Avoid touching cold objects (like glasses of ice water or cold metal surfaces).
- Manage stress and strong emotions that could trigger an attack.
- Wear warm clothes during cold weather.

Sometimes your doctor might prescribe you a medication called Nifedipine.

Content and TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - What is Raynaud's?
00:43 - Symptoms of Raynaud's
01:28 - Causes of Raynaud's
03:52 - Risk factors for Raynaud's
04:45 - Prevention of Raynaud's
05:39 - Treatment of Raynaud's
06:15 - When to go see your doctor

Key things to get the most out of your doctors appointment:

- Write down your symptoms including when they started, when they happen and how often you have them.
- Write down anything that makes them worse or better.
- Take a friend or relative along for support - they could also ask questions and take notes to help you remember what the doctor says.
- Ask the doctor to explain anything you don't understand.
- Ask the doctor to write things down for you if you think it might help.

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Further information from trusted sources:

#doctor #health #medical #raynauds #coldhand #raynauds
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Disclaimer:

The video is intended as an educational resource only. The information within this video or on this channel isn't designed to replace professional input, so if you have any medical issues please consult a medical provider. No professional relationship is being created by watching this video. Dr. O'Donovan cannot give any individual medical advice. All information should be verified for accuracy by the individual user. Dr O'Donovan accepts no responsibility for individual interpretation of data, although it is always accurate to the best of his knowledge at the time of the video being published. This is an EDUCATIONAL video. Images are used in accordance with fair use guidelines.

Legal information:

Content provided via YouTube is for general information purposes ONLY. Information videos are not produced to provide individualised medical advice. Medical education videos on Doctor O'Donovan are not a substitute for professional professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NEVER ignore professional medical advice because of something you have heard here. ALWAYS consult your doctor regarding any concerns about your condition or treatment.

Date published: 28/01/2024. Next review date: 22/01/2027

[teresacrowley]

Thanks Dr O'Donovan for this very educational video. I have Raynaud's and I appreciate you sharing your knowledge on this condition. 🙏☘️💚

[Jessmab]

I've had primary Raynaud's since childhood. I can remember people always asking what's wrong with my hands, because they're two colors😂
I have always had issues wearing gloves, they make my hands ache. It doesn't matter which material either. I've always tolerated cold well, but I cannot stand heat. Anything over 80°F is miserable. I also have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands, and SLE for the past 7 years.

[filo]

Thank you for this video Dr. O'Donovan. I've had Raynaud for about 20 years and my hands have become very swollen to the point in which I can't play the guitar anymore but I can still play the piano. I am going to try the carnivore diet for 90 days because I have heard hundreds of testimonials about healing from this condition once they followed this diet.

[sobekstephanie]

I’ve definitely had this-comes every winter.

[samanthapadley]

Thank you, Doctor O' Donovan for doing the video on Raynaud as it is useful to know more about it. I have it and didnt used too have it.

[jomcclelland]

Thank you for this video. I developed it after having chemotherapy for breast cancer last year. I have found that compression gloves and socks help to relieve the symptoms as well.

[vidaoduro]

U made me understand this better .thnx

[NobasaurusRAWR]

I degloved myself 3 years ago with fire. 3rd degree burns and skin grafts. And as of a couple of months ago my fingers are numb and swollen. I think its getting worse. I started wearing comoression gloves and that seems to help.

[deniesekline-thatcher]

Thank you ! I believe I first noticed Raynaud’s phenomenon at the age of 12? Or a little younger.

[Felicity]

I suffer really bad with this all year round and it’s very painful. Sometimes I have even stopped in the street and taken my shoes and socks off as I think my toes have fallen off!
For me it’s quite debilitating because my hands “don’t work properly” as I say. I even wear gloves in summer.
The most painful part for me is when they warm up slightly (I say warm others says freezing) the tingling is awful. Warm/hot water on my hands and feet is painful as well.

[cherylbostock]

I’ve had raynauds for over 40 years can you please give me some advice on foot care with raynauds

[GloriaMarquez-xxpl]

I usted to have those symptoms that stopped after I began taking NAC Nacety systine. No more Cold finges at 79.

[tjohnson]

What are your thoughts using Lugol’s iodine for treatment?

[normacmckay-morris]

Thank you Dr O Donovan for this information on Raynard’s, l am 61 years old young and I notice that I have a rash on my upper arm in 2020, and the rash came out on the other arm in 2023 . l just noticed that my fingers and toes changed cold this year 2024 . It probably was with me for a long time but I was not having any symptoms until now . I’m seeing the Dermatologist and Rheumatologist as of now . Thank you this information . mine is the secondary Reynard’s

[peridot-]

Thank you Doctor, I have strong genetic symptoms of over 10 autoimmune diseases & labelled with MCTD, some of them are what you mentioned & also Raynaud's phenomen & even now in April my body can't seem to adjust & still having the radiators on at night.
I'm in a bad flare with SCLE & suffered a crack across the arch of my foot leading to swelling & I could scream my toes can't stand being closed in, as they swell each day. Each day feels like a loosing battle 🙄

[trishalee]

Much appreciation for sharing your expertise. With your Medical information, I can take this to my new medical provider, letting her know in advance so she can brush up on her studies regarding Raynaud's.

We are fortunate to have an Acupuncturist at our local clinic, and I am going to ask my medical provider if Acupuncture can help with Raynaud's that showed up in the freezing winter of 2022.

Interestingly enough I just noticed that my Thermography lab from 2021 shows Raynaud's too. This is way before any symptoms showed up. Except I have always had cold hands.

[rosaliebebila]

Thanks doctor O' Donovan can I asked doc I am coming 30 sometimes my heart getting hurt too much just like freezing out hope you can answer doctor O' Donovan thank you ❤❤❤

[lauracarlson]

When I said I had issues with my hands when they got cold during a physical the Dr just said I was "allergic" to cold surfaces and to just avoid them- wear gloves, etc. That was before I was 20 and in college- so mid 1980's. In 2005 I was Dx with MS. Many in this group say they have Raynauds. I suspect there is a connection although it isn't one of the conditions you mentioned. If there is a connection it would be best for people with Raynauds to be checked for MS (MRIs with specific protocols) as the sooner you are on an effective DMT the much better your long term prognosis is now with the available treatments. Wouldn't have made a difference for me back in the 80's but would now!

[jelibra]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge. I’ve had mild raynauds for many years now and as a result, have drawn a couple of personal observations which never seem to be mentioned. Firstly, my raynauds is not triggered by cold weather per se. It can be very cold, less than 5 degrees but I don’t seem to be affected if it is a blue sky day ie. High pressure. However I can get it when the temperature is as high as 10 or 11 degrees if it’s raining. In my mind, there seems to be a connection between barometric pressure. My blood pressure has always been on the lower side and I wonder if this is a factor.
I have also noted, it can come on if I haven’t been very active whilst indoors and that walking in the region of 2 to 3 miles will get rid of it whatever the weather.

[cherylbostock]

I would like some advice about cutting my toenails etc. I use professional nail nippers as I hate anyone touching my feet. I used to have a GP who told me to treat my feet like a diabetic. Is this right as I can’t always feel my toes and I live alone so don’t have anyone else to help