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http://www.omniture.com --> Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Advertisement May 1, 2006 [an error occurred while processing this directive] Keeping warm may ward off Raynaud's phenomenon EDITOR'S NOTE: This weekly column by reporter Bill Kettler answers readers' questions about topics of general medical interest with information provided by doctors from PrimeCare, Jackson County's independent practice association. I have been troubled by Raynaud's phenomenon since my 20s back in the 1960s, and it became more troublesome when I moved to Oregon 15 years ago. It is worst in my feet, and my toes actually get little red sore blisters. My fingers get very cold, too, but I can solve that with gloves and a warm car heater. If I don't keep my fingers warm, they turn blue. -- Kathy E. Jacksonville This disorder takes its name from the physician who first observed and described it, a Frenchman named Maurice Raynaud, and it's more common than you might imagine. Raynaud's affects up to 5 percent of the population, and it's more likely to occur among women, says Medford rheumatologist Dr. Walter Emori. It's generally benign, but that doesn't mean it isn't irritating. Raynaud's is characterized by "vasospastic attacks," in which tiny blood vessels constrict in some of the extremities. The flow of blood to those areas decreases; the skin becomes cold; and it may take on a pallid white color. Emori says an episode of Raynaud's usually is preceded by exposure to cold or a stressful event. It may also appear in some people who have diseases or conditions such as lupus or scleroderma. Scleroderma is a disease that causes the skin to become hard and can result in hair loss. Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease marked by skin rashes, joint pain and swelling. Raynaud's also occurs among people who operate vibrating machinery such as chainsaws and jackhammers and those who may have poor circulation, including smokers. The affected area may remain cold and white for a few minutes or several hours, depending on how long the blood vessels remain constricted. "As the spasms relax the blood rolls in and the skin may turn bright pink or red," Emori says. "Eventually, as the hand or other affected part warms, blood can pool in the veins, and the hand turns blue. "In a very few people, there are such severe spasms that some of the flesh dies, and there are ulcers," he says. "As a rheumatologist, my biggest worry is whether Raynaud's symptoms could be related to something more serious that we don't know about. We always have to look for other diseases." Physicians recognize two forms of Raynaud's known as primary and secondary. Primary Raynaud's is idiopathic — its cause is unknown. Most people have the primary form. Secondary Raynaud's is less common, and more serious. It's the variant that occurs among people who have other diseases such as lupus and scleroderma. People who suffer from Raynaud's can minimize outbreaks by keeping warm and limiting their exposure to cold temperatures. That means wearing hats and gloves and keeping the body's core temperature warm. There are also medicines that will dilate the blood vessels to maintain circulation in the extremities. "It's been suggested Viagara might be helpful," Emori says, "because it increases blood flow." Some sources say that vitamins or other natural remedies may reduce outbreaks of Raynaud's but Emori says to the best of his knowledge there have been no research studies to confirm those claims. E-mail questions to Bill Kettler at: [email protected] or send them by mail to: Ask Your Doctors, Mail Tribune, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501. Advertisement s Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Discount Hotel Reservations online casinos news Ashley Furniture HomeStore Send Flowers Southern Oregon Loans California Casinos GMAT Prep Windermere Van Vleet Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Sudoku Online Casinos Canada Online Pharmacy