How is Raynaud's treated?

Treatments for Raynaud's include lifestyle changes - like wearing hats/mittens/socks - and exercising regularly; some medications can help ease symptoms. Rheumatologist Paula Rackoff, MD, shares the various treatment options.

Transcript

00:00

I have many patients who take medication just as the weather is changing. And the typical medication is actually

00:08

a very common antihypertensive medication called a calcium channel blocker. Nifedipine is the most common one.

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00:24

We start with lifestyle changes with Raynaud's. I always tell people very basic things. Always wear a hat because we lose a lot of heat

00:33

through our head. Wear mittens instead of gloves because fingers will actually keep each other warm. Wear very warm socks, and just dress warmly.

00:42

Exercise three to four times a week, if not more, will increase your circulation. And then beyond that, we can actually get into medications.

00:51

I have many patients who take medication just as the weather is changing. And the typical medication is actually

01:00

a very common antihypertensive medication called a calcium channel blocker. Nifedipine is the most common one.

01:07

And that usually helps people about 30% to 40%. The limiting factor with that is that since it

01:14

is an antihypertensive, it can lower your blood pressure a little bit. Beyond that, with very serious Raynaud's, there

01:22

are many other treatment routes, such as statin medications, medications that can dilate blood vessels that we

01:30

use in pulmonary hypertension. And actually, even Viagra is used for severe Raynaud's.