Raynaud’s Relief

Raynaud’s phenomenon occurs in up to 10% of the US population. You certainly know if you’re one of the sufferers. Your fingers go waxy white, and then numb for periods up to an hour long. The spasm of the blood vessels that causes Raynaud’s is precipitated by cold and stress.

Relief is at hand, however, from an unexpected source. Sildenafil (better known as Viagra©) has proved effective in a study using 50 mg twice daily for 4 weeks. It almost halved both the frequency and the duration of attacks of Raynaud’s phenomenon. There were only minimal side effects – transient headache, transient sensation of heat, transient dizziness and nausea. Heart rate and blood pressure weren’t affected.