If you experience cold, white, painful hands and/or feet during or after a run or any activity you may have Reynaud?s phenomenon. Reynaud?s is a disorder that affects the blood vessels in primarily the fingers and toes. Reynaud?s is characterized by attacks that cause the blood vessels to reduce blood flow to affected body parts.
Attacks can be caused by colder climates or stress which is referred to as primary Reynaud?s, or can be attributed to scleroderma (a rheumatic and connective tissue disease) or lupus and/or hypothyroidism (both autoimmune diseases) which is referred to as secondary Reynaud?s. While both versions affect five to ten percent of the population, women are more likely than men to be afflicted. Doctors find diagnosing Reynaud?s phenomenon relatively easy, but find it more difficult to determine the underlying cause.
As a runner prevention can be the key to reducing the number of episodes you experience. While episodes increase in number and severity with the cooler weather, attacks can happen anytime you allow your core body temperature to drop although in extreme cases may occur at normal body temperatures. Layering not only the torso but also the hands can reduce the chances of a painful attack. As soon as you have finished a run get to where it is warm, and remove all wet clothing. If you travel to meet friends and run, take a complete change of clothing including dry socks/ bra (if applicable) and mittens (better then gloves), and try to ingest warm fluids. Getting dry and warm are essential to stopping an episode. Compression socks, water proof running shoes and Little Hotties hand and shoe warmers during activity then a warm hat for immediately after are also beneficial.
During an attack your hands and/or feet may become ghostly white and painful, and you may feel cold to the core. While it is necessary to get the affected parts warmed, the quickest route is to warm the core following the preventative guidelines as soon as possible by getting dry, and warm which may include a hot shower, bath or hot tub.
Join the Egg Nog Jog on Saturday Dec 4 at Tri & Run Sports. Run 5k or 10k then enjoy seasonal treats. There is no registration fee for this fun run but donations to the Coats for Kids Campaign are appreciated.
Start your year out right by registering for the Tri & Run Sports Resolution Run and run or walk 5k on New Year?s Day. The first 70 registered receive a winter running accessory like a tech hat, ear warmers or gloves. 1k Kids Run for free!
Want to try out snowshoe running? The Frozen Ass Snowshoe race 4k/8k will be held on Feb 4 in Batawa. The use of snowshoes to the first 15 registered.
Thinking about running the Around the Bay Road races? Better stop thinking about it and get registered as it?s beginning to fill up. The two person relay is already full and the three person relay has charity spots available.
www.aroundthebayroadrace.com.
