Practical prevention Although Raynaud’s phenomenon rarely causes permanent damage, the condition can have significant impact on your day-to-day life. Here are some practical suggestions to manage the condition: • Know your enemy: cold weather. Check the weather forecast before you head out and dress accordingly. Your cold weather wardrobe should include a hat. When you have a Raynaud’s episode, make note of the temperature so that you become aware of the threshold at which you become affected. • Wear gloves to reach into the freezer and rubber gloves if you have to immerse your hands in cold water • Keep your toes toasty. Choose wool or wool-blend socks instead of cotton or nylon. Wear waterproof boots on wet days. If your feet are cold at night, wear loose fitting socks to bed. • Insulate your fingers. Mittens keep your fingers warmer than gloves. Buy a variety of hand wear to suit the weather and occasion: like light gloves for mild days or driving, woolly mitts or gloves with thermal liners for colder days, and thermal insulated mittens for winter’s worst in the same style. That way if you lose one, you will still have a match. • It’s important to avoid chilling any part of your body, not just your hands and feet, so be sure to dress warmly on cold days. • Tuck chemically activated heat packs into your mittens on extremely cold days or if you have to be outside for a long time. If you have numbness, however, be very cautious with the use of these packs to avoid burns. • Be prepared. Always carry a pair of mittens or gloves in your bag or glove compartment, no matter what the forecast. • If your fingers are affected by holding a cold glass, use a mug with a handle or an insulated glass. • Be aware of air-conditioning. Raynaud’s can strike on the hottest summer day if you step into an overly air-conditioned building. Keep a sweater or shawl handy and set the thermostat higher if possible. • Most importantly, don’t smoke. Cigarette smoke causes blood vessels to tighten and worsen your Raynaud’s symptoms. • It may help to reduce your caffeine intake. Caffeine is not just in coffee, but also in cola, some teas, chocolate, and some medications. • Check your medications. Some drugs, such as beta-blockers and decongestants can make Raynaud’s phenomenon worse. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your options. • Control stress. Try guided imagery, yoga or other relaxation techniques. If necessary talk to your doctor about medication. Sjögren’s Syndrome Saliva and tears. Most people don’t give a second thought to these body fluids; until they dry up. Without naturally produced moisture, your eyes and mouth may become so dry that you feel like you’re trapped in a desert. Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition that attacks glands in the soft lining in and around the eyes, mouth and genitals that secrete fluid to keep these areas moist. This condition primarily affects women, especially those past middle age. About half the time, it occurs alone (known as “primary Sjögren’s syndrome”), and about half the time it affects people with other diseases (known as “secondary Sjögren’s syndrome”), particularly lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. The secondary form of the disease is usually milder than the primary form. 49