I'm 15 years old, but I have really bad blood circulation. My hands and feet are always cold. Sometimes, its so bad that from my knees down, my legs feel like ice! Can anyone offer any advice???

Hey,

I have bad raynauds disease which is a blood circulation disorder. I take a low dose asprin everyday and norvasc and it seems to help.

My 15 year old daughter is complaining of the very same thing. Her hands, feet and legs are constantly freezing. We have tried moving her into another bedroom which appears warmer but to no avail. She has also complained constantly of a tremor in her left hand and of late has been complaining of pins and needles in her arm and hand - the left one. Apart from this she is quite healthy and enjoys her food. She has, without dieting, come down from a size 14 to a size 10 and looks very well. I would be interested in knowing the possible causes of
her problems.

That sounds like what i have. I have raynauds disease, its a blood circulation disorder. I takes two meds to control it. its very treatable if thats what it is.

I use Ginko Biloba 6000mg and its works. It increase blood circulation. I bought it from Simplysupplements
http://www.simplysupplements.co.uk because they are cheap. Try it

Zack

I got this off the internet for you

Raynaud's Phenomenon
Raynaud's phenomenon occurs when the extremities of the body, usually the fingers and toes, change colour and may become painful. It is due to a narrowing (constriction) of the small blood vessels on exposure to the cold, or to a change in temperature, or to emotional stress. In most cases, the cause is not known.

In some cases,NOT ALL!! Raynaud's is a symptom of an underlying condition such as scleroderma, lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Treatment is to keep warm. Drugs to open up the blood vessels are used in some cases.


What is Raynaud's?

Raynaud's phenomenon, often just called Raynaud's, is a condition where the small blood vessels of the fingers become narrow (constrict), most commonly when they are in a cool environment. Sometimes blood vessels to other extremities such as the toes, ears and nose are affected. It is named after Dr Maurice Raynaud, the man who first described it in 1862.

What are the symptoms of Raynaud's?

Typically, symptoms develop in fingers when you become cool. For example, in cold weather.

At first the fingers go white and cool. This happens because the small blood vessels in the fingers narrow (constrict).
The fingers then go a bluish colour (or even purple or black in severe cases). This happens because the oxygen is used up quickly from the blood in the narrowed blood vessels.
The fingers then go bright red. This happens because blood vessels open up again (dilate) and the blood flow returns. This may cause tingling, throbbing, numbness, and pain (which can be severe in some cases).
Many people with Raynaud's do not have the full classic colour changes, but develop bouts of uncomfortable, pale, cold fingers. Only the fingers are affected in most cases. In some cases the toes are also affected. Less commonly other extremities of the body are affected such as the earlobes, nose, nipples, or tongue. Each bout of symptoms can last from minutes to hours.

Raynaud's phenomenon is usually mild, with infrequent, brief bouts of symptoms that last just a few minutes. Sometimes it is moderate with more frequent bouts of symptoms that last longer. Rarely, it is severe with repeated frequent bouts with each bout lasting longer periods of time.

What causes Raynaud's?
Primary Raynaud's - when the cause is not known
In most cases there is no known cause (more than 9 in 10 cases). This is called primary Raynaud's. The small blood vessels in the fingers, toes, etc, are just more sensitive than usual to cool temperatures. The reason for this is not known. Symptoms are triggered more easily in some cases than others. Even mildly cool weather, or getting something out of the freezer, can trigger symptoms in some people. Strong emotion may also trigger symptoms in some cases.

Usually, all fingers on both hands are affected in primary Raynaud's. It also tends to run in some families. Women are affected much more often than men. It usually first develops before the age of 30. There are no other symptoms apart from those described above, and symptoms go completely after each bout.

Secondary Raynaud's - due to an underlying cause
In less than 1 in 10 cases, there is an underlying cause. This is called secondary Raynaud's. Various condition of blood vessels, joints, muscles, nerves, or skin can cause secondary Raynaud's. For example, scleroderma, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus), and other 'connective tissue' diseases. If you have secondary Raynaud's you will normally have other symptoms in addition to the symptoms of Raynaud's. The Raynaud's is just one feature of the condition. For example, you may also have joint pains, rashes, joint swelling, etc.

Often the underlying condition is already present, and you may develop Raynaud's as a complication. Sometimes the symptoms of Raynaud's occur first, and other symptoms of the underlying condition develop weeks, months or even years later.

In secondary Raynaud's, symptoms may first begin in just one or two fingers on one hand. This is in contrast to primary Raynaud's when all fingers on both hands are typically affected. Certain medicines may also cause secondary Raynaud's as a side-effect (see below).

Hand-arm vibration syndrome (vibration white finger) is one common cause of secondary Raynaud's. This is caused by using vibrating tools regularly over a long time. For example, it occurs in some shipyard workers, mine workers, road diggers, etc. It is thought that repeated vibrations over time may damage the small blood vessels or their nerve supply.

How common is Raynaud's?

Raynaud's phenomenon is a common disorder. About 1 in 20 people develop Raynaud's phenomenon. Up to 9 in 10 cases are primary Raynaud's. Primary Raynaud's usually first develops in teenagers and young adults, but it can develop at any age. Secondary Raynaud's can develop at any age when the underlying condition develops.

Do I need any tests to confirm the diagnosis?

Not in most cases. There is no test that confirms primary Raynaud's. The diagnosis of primary Raynaud's is made on the basis of the typical symptoms (described above) and there is no abnormality found that may suggest a secondary cause when a doctor examines you.

Features that may suggest secondary Raynaud's include:


What can I do to help?
Smoking may make symptoms worse. The chemicals in tobacco can cause the small blood vessels to narrow. If you smoke, stopping smoking may ease or even cure the problem.
Some medicines that are used to treat other conditions sometimes trigger symptoms, or make them worse. The medicine may cause the blood vessels to narrow. Such medicines include: beta-blockers, some anti-migraine medicines, decongestants, and, very occasionally, the contraceptive pill. Don't stop a prescribed medicine if you suspect it may be making symptoms worse. See your doctor to discuss possible alternatives.
Other drugs. Caffeine (in tea, coffee, cola, and in some medicines) triggers symptoms in some people. Try cutting out caffeine for a few weeks to see if it helps. Amphetamines and cocaine may also be a trigger.
Try to keep warm in cool weather or in cool environments:
Keep your hands and feet warm. Warm gloves, socks, and shoes are essential when you are out in cool weather.
Keep your whole body warm, not just your hands and feet. Although your hands and feet are the most important, symptoms are less likely to occur if you keep your entire body warm. So, wrap up warmly before going into cooler areas such as outside on cold days. For example, wear hats and scarves in addition to warm clothes.
It is best to put on the gloves when you are warm, before going into colder areas. Ideally, keep gloves, socks, and headgear in an airing cupboard or near a radiator so they will be warm when put on.
If you have severe symptoms, or symptoms that are easily triggered, then portable heat packs, and battery heated gloves and socks are useful. The Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association have a list of suppliers - see below for their details. Your pharmacist or local medical supplier may also be able to advise.
Try not to touch cold objects. For example, use a towel or gloves when removing food from the freezer or working with cold food.
Regular exercise is recommended by many experts. Exercise your hands and feet frequently to improve the circulation.
When a bout of symptoms develops, warm the affected hands or feet as soon as possible. Soaking the hands or feet in warm running water is a good way to get warm (but take care that the water does not become too hot, or lose its heat and become cool).
What treatments can help prevent Raynaud's symptoms?

Keeping warm is the main treatment. Symptoms are much less likely to occur, and be less severe, if you keep warm (described above). Other treatments are needed only in some cases.

Medication
A medicine called nifedipine may be advised if symptoms are severe. It works by 'opening up' (dilating) the small blood vessels. Some people take nifedipine regularly, each day, to prevent symptoms. Some people take nifedipine just during the winter, or just during cold weather spells. If you are prescribed nifedipine, read the leaflet that comes in the medicine packet for a full list of possible side-effects and cautions. Some main points about nifedipine include:

Most people do not get any side-effects, or only minor side-effects. Of side-effects that may occur, the most common are headache, flushing, nausea (feeling sick), and dizziness.
Nifedipine should not be taken by:
Pregnant women or breastfeeding women.
People with myocardial infarction, aortic stenosis, heart failure, peripheral oedema, symptomatic low blood pressure, and unstable or acute attacks of angina.
A lower dose may be required in the elderly and people with severe liver disease.
Do not drink grapefruit juice if you take nifedipine. The two can interact.
If you also take a medicine called rifampicin it may reduce how well nifedipine works.
You need your blood pressure monitored if you take both a beta-blocker medicine and nifedipine.
Various other medicines may be tried if nifedipine is not helpful, or causes side-effects.

Stress counselling or relaxation techniques
These may be helpful if you have primary Raynaud's and the symptoms are triggered by stress or emotion.

Treatment for an underlying condition
May be needed if you have secondary Raynaud's.

'Nerve blocks' or other hospital based treatments
May be tried if you have severe Raynaud's which is not helped by other treatments.

What is the outlook (prognosis)?

Primary Raynaud's
The outlook for people with primary Raynaud's is usually good. Most people have mild symptoms that do not interfere much with daily life. People with more severe symptoms often respond well to treatment with nifedipine. In some cases the condition remits (goes away) in time. In one study that followed up people with primary Raynaud's over seven years, the condition had gone away in nearly 2 in 3 cases at some point over the study period.


Further information and help
The Raynaud's and Scleroderma Association
112 Crewe Road, Alsager, Cheshire, ST7 2JA
Tel (helpline): 0800 917 2494
Tel (office): 01270 872776
Web: www.raynauds.org.uk
H

I also have cold hands a lot of the time. But I don't seem to have the colour and texture changes that I read about in various Raynauds symptoms.

Sometimes I bang my hand against the edge of my kitchen counter (ever so slightly) but it feels like I hit it with a hammer. Sooo sore.

I don't smoke and never have. I wear gloves way past the time when they are in season. My DR says I do not have circulation problems.

HOw can my hands and feet be so cold and I not have circulation problems?

I have read all the things one can do with this syndrome....but I don't really know if I have it or not.

I don't want it to get worse.