Cardiovascular Surgery Specialist of Denizli Özel Egekent Hospital, Op. Dr. İhsan Alur, drew attention to Raynaud’s disease, which manifests with symptoms such as spasms in the hands and feet during cold weather.
Defining Raynaud’s Phenomenon, Op. Dr. İhsan Alur said: “Raynaud’s Phenomenon is defined as a circulatory disorder caused by spasms in the capillaries, usually in response to cold or emotional stress, occurring in the hands, and sometimes in the feet (especially fingertips). It can cause symptoms such as coldness, chill, numbness, cyanosis, and pain in the hands or feet. In advanced cases, prolonged circulatory impairment in the fingers may lead to gangrene and tissue loss (amputation), negatively affecting the patient’s work and social life. Risk factors include smoking, cold weather, contact with cold water, psychological stress, or sometimes genetic predisposition.”
Pointing out that although the exact cause of Raynaud’s Phenomenon is unknown, it can accompany some diseases, Op. Dr. Alur stated: “Conditions such as Secondary Raynaud’s Phenomenon or Raynaud’s Syndrome, rheumatologic diseases, connective tissue diseases, certain arterial diseases, some cancers or cancer drugs, and pulmonary hypertension can present with this pathology. Sometimes no underlying cause is found, and in such cases it is defined as Primary Raynaud’s Phenomenon or Raynaud’s Disease. This disease is mostly seen in young and middle-aged individuals between 30 and 50 years old. In patients presenting with Raynaud’s Phenomenon, secondary causes such as rheumatologic diseases, connective tissue disorders, cancer, vasculitis (vascular inflammation), hepatitis B, and pulmonary hypertension must be investigated, and further tests should be carried out if necessary. Especially in cases accompanied by an underlying disease, as vascular spasms can coexist with clot formation, anticoagulant therapy should be added. Since capillaries are affected, complete treatment through angiography or surgery is not possible. If fingertip wounds begin to appear and spasm attacks are frequent, sympathectomy surgery can be performed to alleviate symptoms.”
Highlighting important points to be considered against Raynaud’s disease, Op. Dr. İhsan Alur made the following recommendations:
“If the patient is a smoker, smoking must be completely stopped and even smoking environments should be avoided, cold weather or cold water contact should be avoided, gloves should be worn in winter, and stress should be reduced. In addition, excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks should be avoided, and the use of antigripal or cold medications containing phenylephrine, birth control pills in women, and Beta Blocker medications should be approached