Smoking is a big no-no – not only can it worsen MS, the chemicals contribute to the narrowing of the blood vessels, which can only make things worse.įor some people, taking food from the freezer or fridge can trigger an attack. Hot food and drinks will keep you insulated from the inside. Prepare your car before you set off on a drive by running the heater for a few minutes to warm up the air. Wrap up really well before you go outside, and make sure your hands and feet are well insulated before you step out to prevent the cold air from reaching them. It’s all about preventing an attack with this condition. Experts think that MS can make blood vessels in your extremities to overreact to the cold, and you may experience Raynaud’s phenomenon.įor some people, emotional stress rather than the cold can trigger an attack. MS is associated with secondary Raynaud’s. It’s less common but it can be more serious. Secondary Raynaud’s, also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, occurs due to an underlying health condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Primary tends to be quite mild, and doesn’t appear to occur as part of another medical condition. There are two main types of Raynaud’s, primary and secondary. It most commonly affects the fingers and toes, although it can also affect other areas. Have you ever noticed one or two of your fingers turning white when they are cold? Raynaud’s syndrome, also known as Raynaud’s disease, is quite common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and causes parts of the body to turn white and become very cold and numb in response to the stress of cold temperature.

Welcome to February, which is Raynaud’s awareness month. We look at the connection between MS and Raynaud’s syndrome

Reynolds phenomena symptoms