Raynaud Syndrome

Overview

Raynaud syndrome is a condition in which blood vessel spasm reduces blood flow, most often to the fingers and sometimes the toes. Affected areas turn pale then bluish, often with numbness and pain, and become flushed and warm when blood flow returns. Attacks are typically triggered by cold or emotional stress.

Symptoms

• Whitening of the fingers
• Bluish discoloration
• Numbness
• Tingling
• Worsening with cold

Treatment

The priority is keeping warm and avoiding triggers such as smoking; calcium channel blockers can relieve peripheral vasospasm in marked cases, and secondary forms require treatment of the underlying disease.

Dietary advice

Balanced diet with adequate intake of unsaturated fatty acids and avoidance of excessive caffeine.