Named for a French Physician, Maurice Raynaud, who noted that some people had "intermittent attacks of severe pallor of the fingers or toes and sometimes of the ears and nose" which could be brought on by exposure to cold or even some emotions, Raynaud's Symptoms describe a circulatory disorder affecting the hands and feet. The disorder is obviously caused by insufficient blood supply to affected body parts, and though extreme cases are rare, they can result in cyanosis, numbness or pain, and even in gangrene if circulation is completely halted and tissue death occurs. Divers who experience Raynaud's Symptoms often suffer them while diving, with rewarming often taking as long as an hour to take effect.
Two Forms of Raynaud's Symptoms
The first form of Raynaud's is called Primary Raynaud's or Raynaud's Disease. The symptoms are so labeled when no underlying condition is deemed to be causing them. In these cases, symptoms either remain stable or lessen; sometimes, they disappear altogether.
The second form of Raynaud's occurs when a person has an underlying disease that causes them; in this case, the symptoms are called Raynaud's Phenomenon, or Secondary Raynaud's. Often, these symptoms manifest themselves before the underlying disease does. In cases where disease is present, Raynaud's Symptoms tend to be much more severe, and they tend to worsen over time. Underlying disease is eventually diagnosed among approximately 40% of people who suffer from the problem.
How Raynaud's Syndrome Works
In both cases, an attack of Raynaud's symptoms involves the small arteries that feed one or more fingers, toes, or other extremities, such as the nose, lips, ears, or nipples, spasm and cut off the blood supply to that body part. The body part loses color, turning white or blue, is cold to the touch, and is either numb or painful. Spasms can last for only a few minutes at a time, or they can go on for hours on end. Attacks may happen daily, although they normally occur with less frequency.
Once the arteries relax and dilate after the affected extremities are rewarmed, numbness or pain may continue, along with throbbing or tingling. Sometimes, affected areas turn bright red as blood returns.
In the majority of cases (60%) only the victim's fingers are involved. In 40% of cases, the toes are involved, and only in rare cases are other extremities affected. Those who suffer from Reynaud's Symptoms will find that only brief, mild exposures to cold, such as removing a tray of ice from the freezer, can trigger an attack.
What Causes Raynaud's Symptoms
There are several diseases that can cause Raynaud's Symptoms, including Scleroderma, Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and more. In the case of Scleroderma, the symptoms precede other indicators in as many as 30% of all cases. If Raynaud's Symptoms begin after age 40, underlying disease is nearly always present.
Raynaud's Symptoms can be caused by repetitive actions like typing or playing the piano, as well as by the use of vibrating tools, some workplace chemicals, and some drugs, including some over the counter cold, allergy, and diet medications; nicotine from cigarettes can also cause the problem. In those with no underlying disease, it usually begins between the ages of 20 to 40, and women are five times as susceptible as men are.
Diving and Raynaud's Symptoms
Many people have Raynaud's Symptoms. If diving makes the symptoms worse, damage could be caused, and if the symptoms could interfere with a person's ability to dive safely, then diving is definitely not recommended. Diving in warm water, avoiding tight wrist seals, and wearing dry gloves that provide excellent thermal hand protection are ways to prevent attacks. In addition, maintaining core temperature is crucial to preventing an attack.
As with all conditions that could affect your ability to dive safely, it is important to discuss Raynaud's Symptoms with your doctor before making the decision to dive. In many cases, you still may be able to dive without problems, so long as you take proper precautions.