October is Raynaud’s Awareness Month
Raynaud’s Disease, which is also called Raynaud’s Syndrome, is a circulatory disease that mostly affects the limbs. Podiatrists often treat people with this problem. Here, we will explain Raynaud’s Disease by focusing on its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What does Raynaud’s Disease mean?
People with Raynaud’s Disease have vasospasms, which are rapid tightening of blood vessels that make it hard for blood to get to the toes and fingers.
Vasospasms like these are often caused by:
- Being cold
- Being under a lot of mental stress
People who have color changes in their toes may also feel:
- Stiffness
- Burning
- Pain
Types of Raynaud’s Disease: Primary and Secondary
Raynaud’s can be broken down into two main groups: Primary and Secondary.
- Primary Raynaud’s, which is also called Raynaud’s Disease, is a harmless condition that is often brought on by stress or cold weather.
- Secondary Raynaud’s is often linked to another health problem, like an autoimmune disease, a circulatory disorder, or a connective tissue disease. Figuring out the type of Raynaud’s is important for getting the right medicine.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
People with Raynaud’s usually go to the doctor because their toes are cold, painful, and numb. Podiatrists usually tell if someone has Raynaud’s based on their symptoms, but they may also do certain tests to see the veins in the nailbed and prove the diagnosis. Podiatrists need to make sure that the symptoms aren’t caused by something else, like neuropathy or vascular disease.
How to Manage and Treat Raynaud’s Disease
People with Raynaud’s Disease can get a lot of help from podiatrists. The main goal of treatment is to ease symptoms and keep problems from happening. Podiatrists often tell their patients to:
- Keep warm
- Manage stress
- Changes in lifestyle
- Medicines
- Avoid triggers
- Regular check-ups
A podiatrist can help people with Raynaud’s live happier, healthier, and more productive lives, lowering the risk of problems that come with the condition by providing information, advice, and the right treatment. Raynaud’s Disease is hard to deal with, but it can be done with the right care and help.
Call the friendly My Chicago Foot Expert staff at (773) 561-8100 or click here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.
