Originally published September 30 2011
Attacking the "root" of Raynaud's Phenomenon
by S. D. Wells
(NaturalNews) It is no surprise that the medical community cannot establish a root cause for Raynaud's, referring to it as either idiopathic, or more commonly, a phenomenon.
Also known as RS, Raynaud's is a vasospastic disorder, or constriction of blood vessels, which severely decrease blood supply to the extremities, causing discoloration of the fingers and toes, and sometimes the nose and ears. RS is basically an exaggerated response to cold or emotional stress, or both. It affects up to 160,000 Americans, most of which are female.
Raynaud's is the initial disease, and secondary RS is regarded as a syndrome or Scleroderma, suspected of being caused by some other initiating factor. Both conditions are the typical Western Medicine enigmas, calling for expensive, dangerous pharmaceuticals to relieve and suppress the symptoms, leading to more compounded issues in the long term.
With RS, color changes in the skin are noticeable, beginning with a pale look that turns blue because of the lack of blood and oxygen, and then has localized red flushing when the blood returns. It begins with a loss of sensation, followed by a prickling or throbbing sensation, much like a pins and needles feeling when frostbite thaws.
Some focus group studies suggest prescribing calcium channel blockers Amlodipine or Nifedipine to block the movement of calcium in the blood. Side effects include dizzy spells, shortness of breath, swelling of the arms and legs, and vision problems. Plus, if the problem is calcium overload, and the drugs just re-route the calcium, then the patient is heading for gall stones, kidney stones, or other calcium overload depositories that carry with them their own host of critical issues.
Magnesium, medicinal mushrooms, and MSM (biological sulfur) are known to flush excess calcium out of the body's system, so why would any doctor recommend calcium channel blockers, with all their side effects and long term dangers? Remember, in the U.S., there are no bonuses or profit sharing incentives for doctors who send their patients to health food stores, only to never see them again.
Some doctors prescribe alpha-beta blockers, which affect receptor cells in the smooth muscles of blood vessels. This prevents cells in the brain and heart from receiving catecholamines, so the heart beats more slowly and with less force. Why on earth would anyone want to change the way their heart functions, when the problem can be cured with nutrition and supplements? Other Western Medicine "treatments" involve using paraffin, laser irradiation, and surgery.
Since the Middle Ages, beetroot was used for illnesses relating to blood. The Romans used beetroot to treat fevers, and Hippocrates used it for binding wounds. It increases the level of antioxidants in the liver, reduces cholesterol and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Beetroot also fights arteriosclerosis and arthritis. Beet juice powder is a nutrient rich food that improves general circulation. Drinking 500ml of beetroot juice can reduce blood pressure levels within one hour.
L-Arginine is an amino acid that has been shown to reverse tissue damage caused by RS and improve symptoms in subsequent attacks. It stimulates production of nitric oxide, thus helping to keep arteries open and relaxed. Also, vitamin E is a key antioxidant and vitamin C improves blood flow. Magnesium maintains relaxation of the smooth muscle of the small arteries affected by RS. Omega-3 essential fatty acids are anti-inflammatory and help relieve symptoms of RS. Fish oil also improves tolerance to cold exposure by increasing blood pressure in the fingers.
Also, since Scleroderma, or secondary Raynaud's, is a type of autoimmune disorder, do not rule out Aspartame, a nerve toxin, as a possible cause. When it all boils down, attack the root of the problem, not the symptoms. Pursue aggressive antioxidant therapy that lowers the risk of developing more serious conditions.
Sources:
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitamin...
http://altmedicine.about.com/od/aznaturalrem...
http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T303927.htm...
http://www.drugs.com/sfx/nifedipine-side-eff...
http://health.howstuffworks.com/diseases-con...
http://www.lef.org/protocols/heart_circulato...
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