Raynaud's Disease is characterized by cold, pale and numb fingers or toes, even when the temperature is only slightly chilly. For runners the effect of the ailment can range from simply being a nuisance to discomfort that prevents them from running. Most runners with this disease wear gloves if the temperature dips below 60F and can have trouble when it goes below freezing.

Causes & Symptoms

The symptoms expressed by Raynaud's disease develop when the smallest arteries in the fingers or toes constrict (go into spasm) when they are exposed to even slight cold or emotional distress. Because the complementary small veins usually remain open, the blood drains from the capillaries in the fingers and toes and they are left pale, cold and numb. If the small veins also spasm, as is sometimes the case, blood can remain trapped in the capillaries causing the fingers or toes to turn blue as the blood inside loses oxygen. The symptoms can also be triggered by vibrating machinery or by smoking cigarettes, neither of which is likely to be induced while running.

Treatment

The easiest treatment for Raynaud's Disease is to mask the triggers of the symptoms. For instance, most runners can find relief by simply better-protecting themselves from the cold by wearing warm gloves and socks. Some sufferers have found biofeedback bo be a safe and effective technique. This treatment is designed to help a person gain control over involuntary body functions, such as skin temperature, heart rate, or blood pressure. To be effective, biofeedback training is necessary.

More severe cases may require medication that keeps blood vessels from narrowing and facilitate dilation, such as nifedipine, diltiazem, or nitroglycerin. As with all drugs, these have side effects which should be considered.

For extreme cases, a sympathectomy may be performed. This operation involves severing nerves that may be affecting the blood vessels in the fingers. This procedure is usually not necessary and may only work for a short period of time anyway.