What is it?
Raynaud’s is classified as a vasospastic disorder, meaning blood vessels tighten or go into spasm, causing vessel constriction. This condition causes discolouration of the fingers and toes and can involve other areas of the body, as well. As a result of poor blood flow to these areas, skin will become excessively pale or purple in colour and nails will often become brittle and develop ridges. Chronic or recurrent cases can lead to atrophy of the skin and subcutaneous tissue in affected areas.

Raynaud’s includes Raynaud’s disease, which is considered idiopathic(of no known origin), or Raynaud’s phenomenon or syndrome, in which there is a known causal factor (often connective tissue disorders, such as Lupus). These conditions are also known as primary and secondary Raynaud’s, respectively.

Signs and Symptoms:

When subject to the cold, or often triggered at times of stress, blood supply to the fingers and toes decreases (rarely, this condition can also affect the nose an earlobes), causing the skin to become white and eventually purple or blue, cold and numb or painful. Raynaud’s is episodic, meaning that the above symptoms will subside. As blood flow returns to the affected area, the skin becomes warm and red, often there will be some minor swelling, as well as potential ‘pins and needles’ like pain.

Raynaud’s Disease: Who gets it and why?

Raynaud’s disease occurs in isolation, and cannot be associated with other diseases. It is most common in young women in their late teens and early 20’s, leading many to believe that there is a hormonal component to its development. Smoking puts this group at an even higher risk, as does caffeine. It is possible that Raynaud’s disease has a hereditary component, although no one gene has been isolated at this point.
Raynaud’s Phenomenon is Better Understood

Raynaud’s phenomenon is caused by a preexisting condition. When compared to Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud’s phenomenon is less common, but often more severe in nature, and tends to appear slightly later than Primary Raynaud’s, commonly diagnosed in women in their 40’s.

Causes of secondary Raynaud's includes:

• Scleroderma
•  Lupus (SLE)
•  Rheumatoid arthritis
•  Sjogren's syndrome
•  Diseases of the arteries
•  Carpal tunnel syndrome
•  Chemical exposure
•  Thyroid gland disorders
•  Certain medications; Some drugs — including beta blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure; migraine medications that contain ergotamine; medications containing estrogen; certain chemotherapy agents; and drugs that cause blood vessels to narrow, such as some over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications — have been linked to Raynaud's.

Natural Treatment Options:

Lifestyle
Exercise is a great way to improve circulation, as well as reduce stress, if stress is a trigger for attack. If you live in a colder climate, make sure to protect hands and feet, especially during the colder months. Loss of sensation can also mean that injury can go undetected, so be sure to wear appropriate footwear and avoid injury to hands and feet. Do not wear anything that will constrict blood flow to the affected areas, further compromising circulation.

If stress is an issue, building a ‘stress maintenance regime’ is going to be especially important for you. Massage, meditation, yoga (all of which are also helping to increase circulation, by the way!) and journaling are all good options for stress reduction and coping.