In the time it takes you to make a cup of coffee, go number two in the loo, or wait for the hot water to kick-in in the shower, you could find out whether or not you have a debilitating disease.
I know what you're thinking: 'it takes less than one minute for my shower to get warm'. Either that or, 'if I had a disease I'd know about it', but actually there are a lot of conditions you could be carrying that you just aren't familiar with.
If you're susceptible to cold hands that change color, you may have a debilitating disease (Getty stock)
We all like to think that we know our bodies pretty well, but according to our friends over at the Cleveland Clinic, it is estimated that one in 20 Americans live with the debilitating disease in either their hands, toes, ears, nipples, nose or tongue.
Although your hands are the most commonly affected area.
So what is this condition we're talking about that you may have?
That will be Raynaud's disease, and it usually strikes during cold weather.
I'll let the Cleveland Clinic explain what it is: "Raynaud’s (pronounced ray-nodes) syndrome is a disorder that affects small blood vessels in your fingers and toes.
"It may also affect blood vessels in your nose, lips or ear lobes. Raynaud’s causes you to have episodic spasms, called vasospastic attacks, in response to cold temperatures or stress.
One in 20 Americans are estimated to be living with Raynaud's disease (Getty stock)
"During a Raynaud’s attack, the arterioles and capillaries in your fingers and toes tighten more than they should. As a result, your skin in the affected area turns white and then blue. This color change happens because your blood lacks oxygen.
"Your skin may also feel cold or numb. As your blood vessels relax and open up again, your skin may look red or feel tingly. An attack usually lasts around 15 minutes."
So let's go through this minute-long quiz created by the experts from the UK-based charity Scleroderma & Raynaud's.
First question is are your fingers sensitive to the cold?
The second is whether your fingers change color, to either white, blue, red or purple, in response to temperature change or stressful situations?
Halfway there, the third question is do you get numbness or pain in the affected area when they change color?
Next, do you feel stinging or throbbing when the affected area warms up?
According to experts at the Cleveland Clinic you can prevent attacks by learning what triggers it for you (Getty stock)
And finally, have you ever developed any sores/ulcers on your fingers or toes?
Now, I've not got the answers, so you'll have to take the quiz here, but if you find out that you've got it, it's nothing too serious and there are ways to prevent attacks.
Finally, we'll let the experts at the Cleveland Clinic explain how: "There’s nothing you can do to prevent Raynaud’s syndrome. But you can help prevent attacks by learning your triggers and taking action to avoid them.
"It’s also important to visit your provider for yearly checkups. Doing so can help your provider diagnose and treat underlying conditions that may cause Raynaud’s phenomenon.
"Some of these conditions are preventable with lifestyle changes, such as avoiding tobacco products."
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