Coffee Break February: Let’s Talk about the “Cold” hard facts of living with Raynaud’s Phenomenon & how Stopping Smoking can help

February is Raynaud’s awareness month. Raynaud’s Awareness Month | Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK   If you have been diagnosed with Raynaud’s you will probably know it was previously known as Raynaud’s Disease, when it was first observed as a condition by French doctor Maurice Raynaud in 1862.  Due to recent changes, today it is known as   Raynaud’s or Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s is a vascular disorder that effects the blood circulation in extremities such as hands, feet and toes. Due to reduced blood flow to these areas, particularly in response to the cold this makes these areas very sensitive to the cold, often becoming white and can be very painful. You may also experience pins and needles, numbness and then a feeling of tingling and throbbing sensation when the circulation improves again.  Symptoms may also be triggered by stress. The process of a Raynaud’s attack is a normal body reaction to cold or stress however patients with Raynaud’s have a much lower threshold which is why this reaction occurs. Did you know even caffeine can trigger symptoms? Caffeine can constrict blood vessels triggering symptoms or making them worse, so it is best to limit your intake. Don’t forget some carbonated drinks and chocolate also contain caffeine as well as your coffee.

Diagnosis is key to managing your symptoms and to also rule out other underlying causes of your symptoms.  It is also important to see your GP if you have symptoms that are getting worse, symptoms on only one side of your body,  other problems as well as Raynaud`s such as joint pain, skin rash, or muscle weakness , if you are having symptoms for the first time and you are over 30, or if a child under 12 has symptoms. Keep warm and wear layered clothes to help manage symptoms, but sometimes it is just not as easy as this as you may experience a sudden change in temperature and this may trigger a reaction, so try and avoid these extreme changes in temperature if possible.  Eat well and look after yourself with daily exercise if you can, which helps improve circulation.

• Smoking effects our circulation too, causing blood vessels to narrow and become blocked.  Nicotine in cigarettes causes blood vessels to constrict. Carbon monoxide (CO) in cigarette smoke significantly reduces the amount of oxygen that can be carried by the blood. Improving your blood circulation by stopping smoking is very important when you have Raynaud’s.  This can then help lessen the severity of your symptoms and help you manage your symptoms better. Your overall health will be improved too.

• Great news: Stress can also be helped by quitting smoking and as stress can be a trigger for Raynaud’s this is also a great reason to quit. It's a common belief that smoking helps you relax. But smoking increases anxiety and tension. Smoking cigarettes interferes with certain chemicals in the brain. When smokers haven't had a cigarette for a while, the craving for another one makes them feel irritable and anxious. These feelings can be temporarily relieved when they light up a cigarette. So, smokers associate the improved mood with smoking. In fact, it's the effects of smoking itself that's likely to have caused the anxiety in the first place. Cutting out smoking does improve mood and helps reduces anxiety and stress. This can only be good news for Raynaud’s symptoms brought on by stress. Learn to manage stress in a better way than reaching for a cigarette. Be aware of what triggers your stress and then you can start to manage it. May be doing a Yoga class  is for you, practicing some breathing exercises or some relaxation techniques. Simply read a book, go for a walk or take a relaxing soak in the bath. You may think about seeking professional help and if so, talk to your GP if you feel you need to.

For more help and advice see Home | Scleroderma and Raynaud's UK

Written by Carrie at Yorkshire Smokefree NHS Stop Smoking Service - Yorkshire Smokefree