{"id":16901,"date":"2023-10-13T15:46:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T22:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arthritisbroadcastnetwork.org\/?p=16901"},"modified":"2023-10-13T16:08:11","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T23:08:11","slug":"scleroderma-symptoms-and-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arthritisbroadcastnetwork.org\/?p=16901","title":{"rendered":"Scleroderma: Symptoms and treatment"},"content":{"rendered":"
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What is scleroderma?<\/strong>

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that affects many different areas of the body. Inflammation and scarring result in the disruption of structures and functions. While different organs, such as lungs, intestine, heart, kidneys or joints can be involved; skin involvement is most common. In patients, skin of the hands and feet, chest, abdomen, and\/or face may become thick and hard over time.

The main symptoms of scleroderma<\/strong>

Scleroderma results from when the body's immune system begins to malfunction and attacks healthy tissue in various parts of the body, causing inflammation and damage. The most common tissue affected by scleroderma is the skin. When the immune system attacks the skin in scleroderma, the body responds by producing too much collagen, resulting in a thickening, and hardening of the skin. The word scleroderma comes from Latin and translates to \u201chard skin\".

Joint pain and stiffness in the hands can present at disease onset. In some forms of scleroderma, internal organs may also be affected. Lung or heart involvement leads to shortness of breath, cough or light-headedness. The upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts can also be involved, resulting in heart burn, difficulty swallowing, and chronic diarrhea. Although kidney involvement is rare, it can be serious and patients can rapidly develop kidney failure.

Getting a diagnosis of scleroderma<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

The diagnosis of scleroderma is based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory test results. Blood antibodies characteristic of scleroderma are important, although not diagnostic. Additional diagnostic tests should be performed to determine if there is involvement of the intestine, lungs, heart, or kidneys.<\/p>\r\n

If your doctor believes you could have scleroderma, you will usually be referred to a rheumatologist\u2014a specialist in the treatment of scleroderma and other diseases which affect joints. Rheumatologists have additional training and experience in the diagnosis and treatment of scleroderma and related conditions.<\/p>\r\n

Treatment for scleroderma<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Once your rheumatologist has confirmed the diagnosis of scleroderma, there are treatments available which vary depending on the form of the disease and the involved organs. There is no known cure for scleroderma, and treatments therefore focus on controlling symptoms and preventing disease progression.<\/p>\r\n

Medications<\/em><\/p>\r\n

Medication for scleroderma depends on the severity of symptoms, and involvement of internal organ. Medications used for treatment can be summarized based on the organ involvement:<\/p>\r\n