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Scleroderma is a disease of the connective tissue that causes the skin and other body parts to thicken and become stiff. The areas affected by this disease include skin, joints, digestive system, heart, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, fingers, and toes.
In scleroderma, patients may have the following symptoms: - generalized muscle aches, weakness and fatigue
- joint pain and swelling
- changes in the skin, which are usually progressive
- problems swallowing
- feeling short of breath, even at rest
- finger stiffness, poor circulation, numbness, hardening and thickening of the skin, and fingertip sores
Medical evaluation for scleroderma typically includes: - history and physical exam
- blood tests
- biopsy of the involved area to check for inflammation and
- electromyography, or EMG, which is a test that looks at muscle strength and function
If diagnosed with this disease, treatments available include: - prednisone or other medications and
- physiotherapy to prevent further weakness
It is difficult to predict the cause and course of this disease. People with scleroderma may: - have a severe episode at the time of diagnosis, and then do well
- have intermittent flares of the disease, but little progression or
- have a progressive, severe, and debilitating course
People with scleroderma should work closely with their doctor in managing the disease. A rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in diseases of the connective tissue) may be consulted to assist. If other organs are affected, doctors who specialize in those areas may also be consulted. Article #7652 Copyright (c) 2002 McKesson. All Rights Reserved. |
