How to Combat Raynaud’s Disease in Cold Weather

Winter brings with it many joyful experiences.

Hot chocolate.

Snowfall.

Snowmen.

Warm winter clothes.

But it also brings a host of other problems – cold and numbness in your hands and feet in the winter. This might be the result of a condition known as Raynaud’s phenomenon or Raynaud’s disease.

What Is Raynaud’s Disease?

It’s the feeling of extreme numbness and cold in your hands and feet caused by cold temperatures. This happens because of decreased blood flow to your extremities.

What Causes Raynaud’s Disease?

The exact cause of Raynaud’s disease is not known. It is possible that some blood disorders might cause Raynaud’s by increasing blood thickness. This can happen due to excessive platelets, red blood cells, or special receptors in the blood that control the narrowing of blood vessels.

Though there is no cure for Raynaud’s, it can be managed. Here are a few helpful tips to help manage this condition.

1. Change Your Diet

Below, you’ll find some tips for maintaining a Raynaud’s-friendly diet:

• Eating spicy food like ginger and garlic is a useful home remedy to increase blood circulation.
• Avoid stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine. These stimulants cause blood vessel constriction, which can make Raynaud’s disease worse.
• Make sure you go for a diet that is rich in the following nutrients:
  1. Vitamin B-complex: This ‘anti-stress’ vitamin group also has inositol, niacin, both of which aid in blood circulation.
  2. Omega 3 Fatty Acids: This form of fish oil, also found in easy to take supplements, is excellent for regulating blood flow too. Fish oil improves tolerance to cold exposure.
  3. Calcium and Magnesium: These minerals help calm the nervous system and aid in stress reduction.
  4. Vitamin E: The form of alpha-tocopheryl nicotinate is also very beneficial to aid blood circulation.
  5. Additionally, nutrient supplements like ginkgo biloba, fish oil, and evening primrose oil can help you with blood circulation.

2. Exercise

Exercise should form an essential part of your daily routine to keep Raynaud’s syndrome at bay. This doesn’t necessarily mean get on a treadmill and sweat it out. Just normal exercises to make sure you have enough blood circulation in your extremities will help regulate your blood circulation.

3. Wear Gloves

Since your upper extremities are the most likely spot to be affected, it’s essential to choose the right gloves for dealing with Raynaud’s. Copper gloves with graduated compression will help boost blood supply, oxygen circulation, and thermal regulation. The right pair of gloves by Copper Clothing for Raynaud’s syndrome will help regulate blood flow and help you deal with the numbness and cold better.

Remember to carry an extra pair of Raynaud’s syndrome gloves, so you are never without them. You can keep an extra pair at work or in the car, so this way you don’t have to be gloveless in winter ever.

4. Prevent Ulcers

People with Raynaud’s are vulnerable to ulcers, which can become infected and take time to heal.

5. Avoid Changes in Temperature

Since the slightest change in temperature can trigger a Raynaud’s attack, avoid spending time in areas where temperatures can fluctuate. Remember to wear a few extra layers of clothes so you can keep warm and prevent an attack of Raynaud’s. Stress and anxiety can also bring on an attack, so it’s essential to learning relaxation techniques.

Though there’s no cure for Raynaud’s, it’s highly manageable if you take the right precautions.