WINTERIZING YOUR RAYNAUD'S

Patriotic Looking Body Parts?

Depending on what part of the country, or world, you live in can and will directly affect your lupus symptoms.  Extreme temperatures in the winter can exacerbate arthritis and arthralgia symptoms in your hands and feet, causing pain and stiffness.  As if you needed another difficult to pronounce syndrome!  Raynaud's Disease can occur in people living with an overlying disease like lupus.  As I mentioned briefly in my previous post "It's A Hot Chocolate Day", the onset of cold weather can aggravate your Raynaud's symptoms. 

According to the Lupus Foundation of America, about one-third of people living with lupus are also affected by Raynaud's Disease. Raynaud's Disease, or Phenomenon, causes the blood vessels to narrow and the affected body part, typically fingers and toes, will turn blue and white.  Personally speaking, I often will lose some sensation in my fingers and toes, or a slight numbness and they turn ice cold.  As the blood flow returns to my extremities, the fingers and toes turn bright red and will cause throbbing and tingling.  Kind of like a patriotic display of red, white and blue, on my fingers and toes!  It can range from just mild annoyance to being painful especially during the cold winter months.  And yes, it does get pretty cold in Atlanta!    

Here are my top 15 favorite tips for managing Raynaud's symptoms

1. Hold a cup of hot chocolate, soup, tea, coffee, cider, or just a hot mug of water with lemon!
2. Dress in layers for the outdoors - I start with a base layer of moisture wicking clothing, long underwear or tights, coat, gloves/mittens, ear muffs or fuzzy headband, scarf, thick socks, hiking shoe (keep feet warmer for when walking Giggles).
3. For indoors - wear lightweight gloves to do chores that put strain on your fingers; such as, vacuuming, carrying items, opening jars, and grabbing something from the freezer.
4. Soak feet and/or hands in warm water - don't use hot water.
5. Soaking in a warm bath each morning can help jump start your joints for the day.
6. Daily dose of gentle stretches or yoga can keep the blood flowing.
7. Avoid long periods of standing, sitting or any movement which constricts the veins and increases venous pressure.
8. While in the car, adjust heating vents for "upper" use on your hands; as well as, for "lower" use on your feet.
9. Keep an extra supply of socks, gloves, hat/scarf in your car in case of emergency (mechanical breakdown, stuck in the snow, etc.).
10. Don't smoke or expose yourself to a smoking environment.  Smoking narrows the blood vessels.
11. Maintain an optimal body weight and exercise regularly.  Low-impact activities such as walking, biking and swimming can improve circulation.
12. Stock up on hand and foot warmers - found at sporting goods stores.
13. Prior to getting into bed, I toss my pj's and socks in the dryer for 5-10 minutes.
14. It's a good idea to avoid or limit your use of power tools that produce a lot of vibration (electric hand mixer, power drill, etc.).  Personally speaking, my home renovating days are over!  
15. IMAK gloves - love them!  (See photo below)

IMAK gloves

IMAK Gloves

If you haven't discovered these yet, give them a try!  They are compression therapy gloves with the finger-tips removed so you can still use your phone, drive, write, etc.  I use them while driving and even when I'm blogging.  They provide gentle compression, or hug, to my hands and wrists while I'm writing.  There are a few different styles (with/without beaded grips) and come in different sizes.  IMAK gloves can be found at select local drug stores, or online at BrownMed.

They're useful as a liner under my heavier gloves for really, really cold days.  Also, I carry a pair of the beaded grips in my purse and a pair in my doggy go-bag; aka, Giggles go-bag!