Scleroderma

Scleroderma, also called systemic sclerosis, is a rare group of diseases. These diseases cause the skin to harden and tighten. This tightening can also affect blood vessels, organs, and the digestive system.

Scleroderma is sometimes described as either "limited" or "diffuse." This describes how much skin is affected. Importantly, both types can affect other parts of the body, like blood vessels and internal organs. A related condition, called localized scleroderma or morphea, only impacts the skin.

While there's no cure for scleroderma, treatments are available to help manage symptoms, slow the disease's progression, and improve a person's overall well-being.

Symptomata sclerodermatis a persona ad personam variant, secundum partes corporis affectas. Propemodum omnes qui sclerodermate laborant, indurescentiam et constrictionem cutis experiuntur. Partes corporis primum affectæ plerumque digiti, manus, pedes, et facies sunt. In quibusdam hominibus, crassitudo cutis etiam antebrachia, brachia superiora, pectus, abdomen, crura inferiora, et femora involvere potest. Symptomata prima tumorem et pruriginem includere possunt. Color cutis affectæ pallidior vel obscurior fieri potest, et cutis propter constrictionem lucida videri potest. Quidam homines etiam maculas rubras parvas, telangiectasias dictas, in manibus et facie habent. Deposita calcaria sub cute formari possunt, praesertim ad apicem digitorum, protuberantias causantes quæ radiographicis videri possunt. Phænomenon Raynaudi in sclerodermate frequens est. Fit propter contractionem exaggeratam vasorum sanguinis parvorum in digitis et pollicis in responsione ad frigus vel affectum animi. Cum hoc fit, digiti dolorosos vel torpidos sentiri possunt et albi, caerulei, grisei vel rubri fieri. Phænomenon Raynaudi etiam in hominibus qui sclerodermate non laborant evenire potest. Scleroderma quamlibet partem systematis digestivi afficere potest, ab œsophago ad rectum. Secundum partes systematis digestivi affectas, symptomata includere possunt:

• Acidum stomachale.
• Difficultatem deglutiendi.
• Tumorem.
• Diarrhoeam.
• Constipationem.
• Incontinentiam fecalem.

Cum scleroderma cor vel pulmones afficit, difficultatem spirandi, tolerantiam exercitii diminutam et vertiginem causare potest. Scleroderma cicatrices in textibus pulmonaribus causare potest quæ in difficultate spirandi crescente tempore progrediente resultare possunt. Sunt medicamenta quæ progressionem hujus damni pulmonaris retardare possunt. Cum scleroderma cor afficit, ictus cordis irregulares fieri possunt. Insufficientia cordis etiam in quibusdam hominibus evenire potest.

Scleroderma accidit cum corpus nimium collagenum producit et in textibus corporis accumulat. Collagenum genus fibrosum protein est quod textus connectivos corporis, cutem inclusos, constituit.

Periti non exacte sciunt quid hunc processum incipiat, sed systema immunitatis corporis munus agere videtur. Maxime verisimile, scleroderma causatur combinatione factorum, inter quae problemata systematis immunitatis, genetica, et impulsores ambientiales.

Scleroderma cuivis accidere potest, sed in feminis magis frequens est. Scleroderma plerumque inter annos 30 et 50 oritur. Apud homines nigros saepius praecox est et magis probabile est maiorem cutis affectionem et morbum pulmonalem habere.

Alii factores combinati cum scleroderma periculum afficere videntur:

• Genetica. Homines qui mutationes genicas habent sclerodermam magis probabile habere videntur. Hoc fortasse explicat cur scleroderma in paucis familiis videatur esse et cur quidam sclerodermatis generibus apud homines in quibusdam ethnicis et racialibus cohortibus frequentiores sint.
• Causae ambitales. Investigatio suggerit quod in quibusdam hominibus symptomata sclerodermatis ab expositione ad certos virus, medicamenta, vel drogas excitari possint. Expositio repetita, ut in opere, ad substantias vel chemica noxia etiam periculum sclerodermatis augere potest. Causa ambitalis in plurimis hominibus non invenitur.
• Morbi systematis immunitatis. Scleroderma morbus autoimmunis esse creditur. Hoc significat quod partim evenit quia systema immunitatis corporis texta connectiva laedere incipit. Homines qui sclerodermam habent etiam symptomata alterius morbi autoimmunis habere possunt, ut arthritis rheumatica, lupus, vel syndroma Sjogren.

Scleroderma, a condition causing stiffening of the skin and connective tissues, can lead to various complications, ranging from minor to severe. These complications can affect different parts of the body:

Fingers: A common complication in scleroderma is Raynaud's phenomenon. This is when blood flow to the fingers is reduced, often triggered by cold or stress. In severe cases, this reduced blood flow can damage the tissues in the fingertips, leading to indentations (pits), sores, and even tissue death.

Heart: Scleroderma can cause scarring (fibrosis) in the heart muscle. This can increase the risk of irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) and heart failure. The condition can also cause inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis).

Digestive system: Scleroderma can significantly impact the digestive system. Symptoms can include heartburn and difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). Other problems such as abdominal cramps, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea can also occur. In some cases, scleroderma can cause an overgrowth of bacteria in the intestines, hindering the body's ability to absorb nutrients.

Joints: The tightening of skin around joints, a hallmark of scleroderma, can restrict movement and flexibility, particularly in the hands. This can make simple tasks like opening jars or using utensils challenging.

Quia scleroderma formas multas capere et areas corporis multas afficere potest, difficile est dignoscere.

Post examen physicum diligens, medicus tuus tests sanguinis suggerere potest ad gradus altos anti-corporum, a systemate immunitario factorum, investigandos.

Medicis tuus etiam alia tests sanguinis, imaginum, vel functionum organicarum tests suggerere potest. Hae tests adiuvare possunt in definiendo utrum systema tuum digestorium, cor, pulmones, vel renes affecti sint.