Scleroderma - a condition that is dear to my heart
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Several years ago, a close family member of mine was diagnosed with a form of scleroderma known as morphea.  This portion of my website will present some general  information on scleroderma.

Stethoscope

What is the meaning of term of scleroderma?

Sclero - is a medical term meaning to harden or to become like stone

derma- is a term pertaining to skin

What causes scleroderma?

  • No one knows what causes of scleroderma. What is known is that the disease process in scleroderma involves an over-production of collagen. This can cause the skin to feel hard to the touch.

According to the Scleroderma foundation, scleroderma is:

  • A chronic, autoimmune disease of the connective tissue generally classified as one of the rheumatic diseases. Also known as systemic sclerosis.
  • A disease in which the symptoms may either be visible, as when the skin is affected, or invisible, as when only internal organs are involved.
  • A highly-individualized disease. Its involvement may range from mild symptoms to life-threatening.

What Scleroderma is not:

  • Contagious
  • Cancerous or considered malignant in any way.
  • Inherited, as a general rule.

 

Books

 

How many people have scleroderma?

  • An estimated 300,000 people in the United States have some form of scleroderma.
  • It is approximately 4 times more prevalent in women than men.

What are the symptoms?

  • Raynaud's phenomenon (abnormal sensitivity to cold in the extremities).
  • Swelling of the hands and feet.
  • Pain and stiffness of the joints.
  • Thickening of the skin.
  • Joint contractures.
  • Digestive system and gastrointestinal tract problems.
  • Sjögren's syndrome (dry mucus membranes).
  • Oral, facial and dental problems.
  • Kidney, heart, and lung involvement.
  • Non-specific symptoms such as extreme fatigue, generalized weakness, weight loss, and vague aching of muscles, joints and bones.

Rubber Hammer

Diagnosis

Reaching a diagnosis of scleroderma may require consultations with rheumatologists (arthritis specialists) and dermatologists (skin specialists) as well as blood studies and a variety of specialized tests to determine which organs are affected and to what degree.

The treatment program will be designed based upon the type and severity of the symptoms.

Diagnosis may not be easy, particularly in the early stages, because many of the symptoms are common to other diseases, especially those conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and polymyositis.

Click to go to the scleroderma foundation site
Science Beakers
Good information from good people

This page will updated on a regular basis, please visit again.

Here I might talk about other people in my family, or include a picture of all of us together at some special event.