If you’ve ever wanted to know ‘what is Raynaud’s disease’, or if you would like to know more about the condition after your or a loved one’s diagnosis, this guide will provide you with essential information. Below, we explore what causes Raynaud's symptoms and how to best live with the condition. We also detail what types of treatments, aids and support are available that help, such as living aids, mobility aids, bedroom aids and more. First of all, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone, and there are many sources of support available to you and your family.

Any medical information provided here is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice from a medical professional. If you’re concerned that you may have any of the symptoms discussed below, please see your GP.

What is Raynaud’s disease?

So, what is Raynaud’s disease? This condition causes the body’s extremities to be ultra-sensitive to changes in temperature and stress. This leads to the body parts changing colour, such as blue or red. It’s extremely common in the UK, with over 10 million people having been diagnosed with Raynaud’s. Many people live with Raynaud’s without ever seeing their doctor or receiving an official diagnosis. The symptoms can vary from person to person, with some people experiencing only mild symptoms, while others have more severe ones. The pain that symptoms of Raynaud’s cause can greatly affect daily life for many people.

Anyone can get Raynaud's, though it more commonly affects young women and girls. Some people live with Raynaud’s for a while and then recover, while others can live with it for the rest of their lives from when it first develops. Around 10% of the population is thought to have Raynaud's, and 90% of these have the less severe type, called ‘primary Raynaud’s’.

What causes Raynaud’s disease?

There are two types of Raynaud’s, classified as primary or secondary. Primary Raynaud’s is when the condition develops by itself with no underlying health condition, experienced as a set of Raynaud’s symptoms only. Secondary Raynaud’s is instead experienced as a result of another health condition, and people may experience more significant effects as a result.

Nobody knows for sure why Raynaud’s symptoms occur, or why some people experience them and others don’t, but it’s thought to be linked to how the body’s blood vessels are controlled by the nervous system.

What are the symptoms of Raynaud’s disease?

Everyone will experience Raynaud’s differently. Many people have it and just think they have poor circulation. It is rarely a life-affecting condition, but some people do find they experience Raynaud’s symptoms more severely, causing them regular pain and discomfort. Raynaud’s symptoms may also be caused by other health conditions, such as scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren’s syndrome or lupus. If you think you may have any of the symptoms listed below, you should speak to your GP. They may be able to diagnose you, rule out other underlying health conditions and advise on self-care and treatments.

Common symptoms include:

• Skin colour changes to white, blue or red (or all three)
• Extremities feeling painful, numb or stiff
• Pins and needles
• Throbbing feeling
• Sensitivity to temperature changes

The colour change that often occurs with Raynaud’s is due to blood flow being restricted to the affected areas, which makes the skin turn white, and then blue because oxygen in that area of the skin is low. It then turns red when blood starts to flow back into the area again. The sensations, such as numbness, occur due to the blood vessels contracting or being in spasm, the lack of initial blood flow and then the rush of blood back to the area.

People with severe Raynaud’s often experience the symptoms more intensely, with symptoms such as:

• Extreme cold and heat when circulation comes and goes
• Constantly swollen hands
• Difficulty gripping or holding small items
• Extreme sensitivity to even slight temperature change
• Ulcers due to tissue damage may develop if Raynaud’s spasms are regular

What is the life expectancy of someone with Raynaud’s disease?

The life expectancy of someone with Raynaud's disease isn't significantly affected by the condition itself. However, complications and underlying conditions associated with severe Raynaud's disease can have an impact. For example, if Raynaud's disease is secondary to an autoimmune disorder, life expectancy may be impacted.

People with Raynaud's disease should manage their symptoms and work closely with medical professionals to address any underlying conditions. Lifestyle changes can help reduce the frequency and severity of Raynaud's attacks.

Treatments for Raynaud’s disease

Raynaud’s disease cannot be cured, but treatments can help reduce the discomfort, pain and severity of attacks. If you have secondary Raynaud’s, you’re likely to need additional treatments for the underlying condition causing your symptoms. Many of the treatments for Primary Raynaud’s are self-care treatments.

The main treatments for Raynaud’s include:

• Keeping warm as much as possible
• Exercise to help circulation
• Avoiding stress
• Avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol
• Avoiding too much caffeine
• Eating a healthy, balanced diet

Many people try pain relief medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, during a Raynaud’s attack. This works for some people, but not for others. A medication called nifedipine may be prescribed if your symptoms are getting worse.

For people who have severe symptoms of the feet, a procedure called a lumbar sympathectomy is possible, which works well for some people to relieve pain. Acupuncture and reflexology are natural treatments that some people find helpful in reducing their symptoms. Many people use bath salt, lavender essential oil and other natural products that they feel provide relief.

Everyone will respond differently to Raynaud’s treatment and different things will help different people. If you have Raynaud’s and you feel your condition is getting worse, to the point where it’s greatly affecting your life, you should speak to your GP.

Living with Raynaud’s disease

Raynaud’s disease can cause symptoms of varying degrees, and everyone is affected differently. Generally, people with Raynaud’s are likely to live well while managing their symptoms. Some people are affected more severely and may have pain and difficulty doing everyday tasks.

How well you’re able to live with Raynaud’s will depend upon the severity of your symptoms and how effective treatment is for you. Many people with Raynaud’s find colder weather particularly difficult and need to wear multiple pairs of gloves and socks, thick lined boots or thermal insoles, and use portable heating devices such as hand warmers. However, some people may even be sensitive to slight temperature changes throughout the seasons.

Products to provide support for Raynaud’s disease

If Raynaud’s symptoms are making it difficult to use your hands or feet, you may wish to explore living aids to help make your day-to-day life more comfortable and supported. These are products designed to help you with mobility, such as getting around the home and outside, getting dressed and doing household tasks.

At Complete Care Shop, we are experts in daily living aids and mobility aids that can provide support for people living with Raynaud’s disease. For keeping your extremities warm, hand and foot warmers are highly useful to help relieve the cold feeling and various symptoms of Raynaud’s. 

If you have difficulty putting pressure on your feet, a rise and recliner chair can help you get up from a seated position more easily. Once you’re up, it can help to support your weight on a rollator that assists you while walking. If you find that the pressure is too much while walking, an attendant-propelled wheelchair or self-propelled wheelchair makes for a useful solution for helping to get around while resting your feet.

If you’re experiencing pain in your fingers, specially adapted kitchen utensils for disabled people can help you prepare food and eat a meal. We also have a number of dressing aids that help you in getting dressed.

Exercise and diet for Raynaud’s disease

There is no specific diet you can follow to treat Raynaud’s. However, you should aim to eat a balanced diet to keep your body at its healthiest. Many people take vitamins and minerals as supplements, which can improve overall health, but there is little evidence to suggest these affect Raynaud’s symptoms.

Exercise can help improve circulation and reduce stress, which can be largely beneficial when living with Raynaud’s disease. You may wish to explore exercises that can help with stress reduction, such as yoga and tai chi.

Does Raynaud’s affect employment?

It’s unlikely that someone’s Raynaud’s diagnosis would be so severe that they were unable to work, but it may present a problem depending on what job a person has. For example, someone who works in a very cold environment or outside may have difficulty doing their job on a daily basis. Discussing your condition with your employer is recommended, as they can help to make your work life more accommodating for your condition. 

Support for Raynaud’s

We hope this guide has helped you to be better informed about Raynaud’s if you’ve recently been diagnosed with the condition, or you know someone who has. As well as this information and our many products at Complete Care Shop, there are communities, charities and other resources designed to help you. They are:

• Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK online community
• Raynaud’s Syndrome Facebook Group
• NHS Inform
• NHS
• Raynaud’s Association
• Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK

Aids for Raynaurd’s Disease at Complete Care Shop

At Complete Care Shop, we provide many aids that can make your day-to-day living more comfortable and convenient if you are living with Raynaud’s disease. If you are curious about which aids are best for you, contact us today and a member of our friendly team will be able to assist you. Our Occupational Therapists can help advise on which is best for your unique needs.