Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that currently affects approximately 56 people per million globally each year. While there is no cure for scleroderma, understanding how to treat scleroderma could improve your quality of life.
Defining Scleroderma by Type
Table of Contents
Scleroderma is a chronic and sometimes fatal autoimmune disease. It significantly impacts overall health despite being rare. It can particularly affect the skin and internal organs. It involves the immune system and connective tissue, resulting in excessive collagen production, fibrosis (where the connective tissue becomes tight and hardens), and inflammation.
It is believed that scleroderma could be caused by environmental, genetic, and immunological factors. Some Hispanics and African Americans are at a higher risk for the disease, as are people with a genetic history of the disease.
Severe cases of this condition also damage your vital organs. People living with Scleroderma experience a poor quality of life with little chance of a cure. The three types of Scleroderma are:
Scleroderma’s Symptoms
The symptoms vary from person to person and depending on the organs they affect. All three types involve hardening and thickening of the skin. For some, it impacts the skin, but more severe cases also involve the organs.
An early symptom of scleroderma is Raynaud’s phenomenon, also known as Raynaud’s syndrome. Raynaud’s causes the blood vessels to constrict abnormally, especially in times of stress and when the individual is exposed to cold temperatures. It can make swallowing harder and cause the mouth to feel dry. The dilating of the blood vessels can cause the fingers to turn red, white, or blue and become tingly and painful.
Skin Symptoms
- Color Changes: Excessive pigmentation can cause the skin to become darker, while insufficient pigmentation can result in paler skin.
- Calcium deposit, also known as calcinosis, develops beneath the skin, causing discomfort and pain.
Symptoms of the Muscles and Joints
- Stiff, Painful Joints: The inflammation caused by scleroderma makes the joints stiff and painful, eventually reducing mobility.
- Weakened Muscles: Some individuals experience muscle weakness and fatigue. This can severely impact daily life activities.
Gastric System Symptoms
- Swallowing Issues: As the smooth muscles of the esophagus harden, a patient’s swallowing reflex is affected, causing feelings of choking and food being stuck in their throat.
- GERD: Also known as Acid Reflux. The increase in acid can cause the esophageal lining to erode, causing heartburn.
- Constipation to Bloating: Scleroderma’s effect on the GI system causes bloating and constipation.
Lung Symptoms
- Shortness of breath (SOB): The thickening and hardening of the lungs can reduce the amount of oxygen inhaled, leaving a person short of breath.
- Pulmonary Hypotension: High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs caused by the disease creates pulmonary hypertension.
- Renal Symptoms: A renal crisis caused by scleroderma can be fatal. A rapid decline in your kidney function and a sudden increase in blood pressure are the causes of Scleroderma renal crisis.
Getting a Diagnosis
The symptoms of many immunological diseases are similar to those of scleroderma. This makes it more difficult to diagnose. Your immunology specialist may use some of the following to diagnose the condition. Some immune diseases like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid disease) share some characteristics with scleroderma. It can cause the thyroid glands to become hard and fibrous, leading to hypothyroidism, but it is a distinct disease.
- Blood tests that result in elevated levels of the antibodies common to systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). It can also tell a physician if it is scleroderma or another autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
- Skin and Organ Exams: Skin exams are exactly what they sound like; the physician will examine your skin for changes in color and texture. X-rays are done to see any changes in your internal organs.
Treating Scleroderma
Standard treatments for scleroderma are tailored to the severity and symptoms of the condition. There is currently no cure, but medical researchers are hopeful that one will be found within the next few years.
Scleroderma is treated with medications that help dilate blood vessels and increase blood circulation, called calcium channel blockers. Immunosuppressants help decrease inflammation and minimize some scleroderma symptoms.
Therapies
Maintaining flexible joints and muscle strength is essential for activities of daily living and for maintaining a high quality of life. Occupational and physical therapy will provide you with the exercises and adaptations you need to enjoy your life.
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