Latest news with #Scleroderma&Raynaud'sUK
Yahoo
23-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
'My cold fingers were caused by a disease'
About 15 years ago, Tim Holt-Wilson noticed a "gradual degeneration" in the warmth of his fingers. The 66-year-old, who lives near Eye, in Suffolk, had already been diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Scleroderma - which caused stiff skin and inflammation - but he noticed how cold his fingers became. It turned out to be secondary Raynaud's disease - a condition that affected extremities such as the hands or feet during cold temperatures. Mr Holt-Wilson has found ways to cope with his conditions and shared his experience for February's Raynaud's Awareness Month. "I hadn't heard of Scleroderma before then, but I think I had heard of Raynaud's before... but I never thought that was on the path of my life," Mr Holt-Wilson explained. "It's like with all these illnesses you never think when you're younger, 'Oh, that is the trajectory of my existence, that's going to frame my life'. "You just reformulate yourself." According to charity Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK), Raynaud's is a common condition that affects up to 10 million people in the UK. When someone with Raynaud's is exposed to the cold, blood vessels in their extremities constrict far more than someone without the disease. This may result in the skin changing colour from white to blue, and then to red, which could be painful, especially when the blood vessels return to normal and circulation was restored. Primary Raynaud's is the milder and most common form of the disease. Secondary Raynaud's, however, is caused by an autoimmune condition and often needs careful monitoring for complications like ulcers or sores. Speaking about triggers, Mr Holt-Wilson explained: "It can happen, for example, in the supermarket when you go near a [freezer], you can feel it in your whole body. "Or when you're holding your [car] steering wheel. "But I've had cold fingers for a lot of my life, but never really figured it was part of this scleroderma syndrome. "I think anybody who suffers from this has got their own techniques for dealing with it." Mr Holt-Wilson explained his Scleroderma meant he lost the effective use of four of his fingers, which have twisted around at right angles to his palm. To manage his Raynaud's, he kept his core temperature and his wrists and hands warm. "Even in summertime, I sometimes wear mittens or particularly wrist warmers," he added. "They are very helpful because they keep the tendons warm on the back of the hand." Mr Holt-Wilson is also able to take a drug called Sildenafil that relaxes the blood vessels and increases blood flow. He described it as a "miracle" for when he undertook geological work outside. For Raynaud's Awareness Month, SRUK is urging the public to take a 60-second online test to find out if they have Raynaud's. "It helps the SRUK get a picture of prevalence of this illness out in the public and it helps research," Mr Holt-Wilson continued. "They're the only UK charity dedicated to helping sufferers so they increase awareness and understanding, and hopefully contribute to research and cures." SRUK originally aimed to reach 10,000 people with the test, but more than 31,000 people have taken it since the campaign launched last November. The charity hoped the test would become the largest citizen science project of its kind into Raynaud's. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Man's double hand transplant is 'space-age stuff' 'I used to be scared looking in the mirror' 'I can feel my body turning to stone' Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK
BBC News
23-02-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Raynaud's: Suffolk man's cold fingers were caused by disease
About 15 years ago, Tim Holt-Wilson noticed a "gradual degeneration" in the warmth of his 66-year-old, who lives near Eye, in Suffolk, had already been diagnosed with the autoimmune condition Scleroderma - which caused stiff skin and inflammation - but he noticed how cold his fingers turned out to be secondary Raynaud's disease - a condition that affected extremities such as the hands or feet during cold Holt-Wilson has found ways to cope with his conditions and shared his experience for February's Raynaud's Awareness Month. "I hadn't heard of Scleroderma before then, but I think I had heard of Raynaud's before... but I never thought that was on the path of my life," Mr Holt-Wilson explained."It's like with all these illnesses you never think when you're younger, 'Oh, that is the trajectory of my existence, that's going to frame my life'."You just reformulate yourself." According to charity Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK), Raynaud's is a common condition that affects up to 10 million people in the someone with Raynaud's is exposed to the cold, blood vessels in their extremities constrict far more than someone without the may result in the skin changing colour from white to blue, and then to red, which could be painful, especially when the blood vessels return to normal and circulation was Raynaud's is the milder and most common form of the Raynaud's, however, is caused by an autoimmune condition and often needs careful monitoring for complications like ulcers or sores. Speaking about triggers, Mr Holt-Wilson explained: "It can happen, for example, in the supermarket when you go near a [freezer], you can feel it in your whole body."Or when you're holding your [car] steering wheel."But I've had cold fingers for a lot of my life, but never really figured it was part of this scleroderma syndrome. "I think anybody who suffers from this has got their own techniques for dealing with it." Mr Holt-Wilson explained his Scleroderma meant he lost the effective use of four of his fingers, which have twisted around at right angles to his manage his Raynaud's, he kept his core temperature and his wrists and hands warm."Even in summertime, I sometimes wear mittens or particularly wrist warmers," he added."They are very helpful because they keep the tendons warm on the back of the hand."Mr Holt-Wilson is also able to take a drug called Sildenafil that relaxes the blood vessels and increases blood described it as a "miracle" for when he undertook geological work outside. SRUK's online test For Raynaud's Awareness Month, SRUK is urging the public to take a 60-second online test to find out if they have Raynaud's."It helps the SRUK get a picture of prevalence of this illness out in the public and it helps research," Mr Holt-Wilson continued."They're the only UK charity dedicated to helping sufferers so they increase awareness and understanding, and hopefully contribute to research and cures."SRUK originally aimed to reach 10,000 people with the test, but more than 31,000 people have taken it since the campaign launched last charity hoped the test would become the largest citizen science project of its kind into Raynaud's. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
How to tell in 60 seconds if you're suffering a condition as common as hayfever, but 'few people have ever heard of it'
Health experts are urging people to test themselves for a condition that is 'as common as hayfever, yet few will have ever heard of it'. Around 10 million people in the UK today suffer with Raynaud's – a vascular condition that causes numbness, tingling, skin colour change and pain in fingers and toes due to fluctuating and cold temperatures, or stress. Raynaud's can also be the first sign of rare but more serious, life-limiting auto-immune condition like scleroderma, which sees the hardening of skin and sometimes, internal organs. Health charity Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK) is urging the public to take a 60-second online test to find out if they may have the condition. Raynaud's is caused by the acute narrowing of blood vessels in the body's extremities, notably fingers and toes, due to fluctuating temperatures or stress. READ MORE: The common cholesterol mistake a professor has warned could 'make things worse' READ MORE: Planets align in rare planetary parade that won't be seen again for 15 years This can result in a range of symptoms including numbness, tingling, swelling, skin colour changes or pain. Most will have 'primary Raynaud's' and won't experience any additional underlying complications. For some, however, Raynaud's is a sign of a life-limiting health condition such as scleroderma, lupus and vasculitis. This is known as 'secondary Raynaud's', says the charity. "When I get a Raynaud's attack I cannot do a thing with my hands. I get red lumps on my hands that look like chill blains and they're swollen, sore and look like sausages," explains Maxine Harris, a 61-year-old Raynaud's sufferer from Manchester. Asma Pandor, 44-year-old, primary school teacher, shared her experience: 'From the age of six, I began to experience symptoms of Raynaud's. I moved to the UK from Africa in 1987 with my family on a snowy January day. "My hands would go white and numb on the way to school as a child. For years, I was told the symptoms were due to poor circulation and I wasn't given any further information or a diagnosis. "At 14-years-old, I took matters into my own hands and started to do my own research on the internet and discovered that I may have Raynaud's. I have since been diagnosed with Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (a form of Scleroderma) after experiencing other symptoms such as Calcinosis. "I recently took the online Raynaud's test out of curiosity and to support further research into it. I hope more people will take the test, not only to help identify if they might be affected by the condition but also to support research and treatments for the minority of us that are diagnosed with more severe auto-immune conditions.' There are important distinctions that can be made in the symptoms of those with primary and secondary Raynaud's, but insufficient research into the condition means limited understanding on this. Greater participation in SRUK's online test and medical survey is needed to gain deeper insight into the different manifestations of the Raynaud's phenomenon, the charity says. More than 31,000 people who have already taken part since the campaign's launch in mid-November last year. Some 93% received results that indicated they may have the condition and should seek support, said SRUK. Out of those flagged by the test as potentially having Raynaud's, over 2,000 people completed a further anonymous medical survey. But more data is needed to strengthen the study's robustness, says the charity. The anonymous data gathered will be vital to inform research into Raynaud's and other severe, related auto-immune conditions like scleroderma - and might help in improving diagnosis and treatment. SRUK hopes this will become the largest 'citizen science' project of its kind into Raynaud's. The research project is led by SRUK in partnership with Professor Francesco Del Galdo, Associate Professor of Rheumatology at University of Leeds and Rheumatology Consultant at Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust. Professor Francesco Del Galdo said: 'The more people take the online test the better we will understand unknown implications of Raynaud's. The data collected will shed light on the different aspects of Raynaud's attacks as well as the impact on people's health, lifestyle and social factors.' 'Medical research is critical for making new discoveries, to help those affected better manage symptoms and even, find a cure. Citizen science offers an especially unique opportunity to crowdsource data that we otherwise might not have access to through formal channels, in a way that reflects real-world conditions and diverse populations. With your help, we can make great strides for the millions affected by Raynaud's.' Sue Farrington, Chief Executive, SRUK, said: 'We are asking as many people as possible who think they may have Raynaud's to take our simple online test and be part of the answer. The more insights we gain through our citizen science project, the better we can advocate for people living with the condition and provide tailored treatment and care options. This is especially urgent as we are facing a considerable gap in information. 'We have found that a significant proportion of the population are unlikely to see their doctor if they experience cold hands and feet regularly (46%) or if they suffer with chilblains – swollen, blistering patches of skin (52%). 'Since 2016, there have only been ten clinical trials on scleroderma patients completed in the UK and only one active clinical trial on Raynaud's.' To take the online test visit:
The Independent
31-01-2025
- Health
- The Independent
8 natural ways to help circulation problems
Circulation problems impact millions globally, causing discomfort and leading to various health issues, from cold extremities to more serious cardiovascular conditions. While medical treatments play a crucial role, many individuals are turning to natural remedies to support their circulatory health. Whether you're managing conditions like Raynaud's syndrome, experiencing poor circulation in general, or simply seeking to improve overall blood flow, there are several natural approaches that can help keep your body functioning optimally. To mark Raynaud's Awareness Month (February), we've spoken with Professor Francesco Del Galdo from the University of Leeds, who is working in partnership with Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK (SRUK). The professor of rheumatology has explained why circulation issues tend to worsen in the winter and has shared some natural ways to help boost your circulation and enhance blood flow. Why do many people suffer with circulation issues this time of year? 'When our bodies are exposed to the cold, a normal response is for the blood vessels to become narrower,' explains Del Galdo. When someone has Raynaud's this reaction may be much more extreme. 'It will sometimes cause a noticeable colour change to the affected areas, with the skin turning white, then blue and finally to red as the circulation returns. This is known as a Raynaud's attack,' says Del Galdo. 'Raynaud's is usually triggered by cold temperatures, anxiety or stress. The condition occurs because blood vessels go into a temporary spasm, which blocks the flow of blood. 'Even the smallest drop in temperature can trigger painful attacks where the blood temporarily stops flowing to the extremities, affecting fine motor skills and making it difficult to carry out even the simplest everyday tasks.' Whether you've been living with Raynaud's for years or are looking for ways to improve your circulation, these eight natural approaches can help you feel more comfortable and support your overall circulatory health. 1. Stay hydrated 'Hydrate to keep the body temperature stable,' advises Del Galdo. 'Hot drinks during cold weather can also help prevent attacks.' 2. Wrap up warm SRUK's website recommends wrapping up warm in cold weather by layering multiple thin garments and loose-fitting clothes. Additionally, hand and feet warmers, along with gloves and thick socks, can provide extra comfort and help keep your fingers and toes warm during chilly days. 3. Try some breathing exercises 'Breathing exercises can help regulate the heartbeat,' says Del Galdo. 4. Eating more warming foods The charity's website also suggests that consuming traditionally warming foods like ginger, cayenne peppers, and chilies may help alleviate Raynaud's symptoms. 5. Try the frisbee launch movement 'The frisbee launch movement can reduce the severity and duration of the attacks,' says Del Galdo. 'This manoeuvre begins with the forearm flexed at a 90-dgree angle and internally rotated across the chest. 'Then rotate the forearm laterally, in a snapping motion, while maintaining digital extension, and repeat this movement rapidly.' 6. Move your body Exercise, within your own limits, can boost circulation and may improve Raynaud's symptoms. 'Any aerobic exercise can help with circulation, in particular arm swings without weights,' says Del Galdo. 7. Consume more vitamin C and E Increasing your consumption of vitamin C and vitamin E could help protect your blood vessels, according to SRUK's website, because they both contain antioxidants. 8. Avoid smoking and caffeine 'Try and avoid smoking or drinking caffeine, as they can both worsen symptoms,' says Del Galdo. One cigarette can reduce the body's temperature by up to one degree for up to 20 minutes, according to SRUK.
