Question 1

what is scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

Hard skin: Scleroderma literally means "hard skin." it is a connective tissue disease that primarily involves the skin which becomes fibrotic (hardened). Changes also may occur in the blood vessels, muscles, and internal organs. The disease involves autoimmunity whereby the immune system attacks the normal tissues of the body. The cause is unknown.

Question 2

who gets scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

Anyone: Anyone can get it, but it's more common amongst female.

Question 3

what causes scleroderma in people?

Accepted Answer

Unknown: The precise cause is unknown but there is a genetic predisposition in certain individuals. Viruses, certain drugs, and environmental factors have been considered as potential triggers for the onset of scleroderma in genetically susceptible persons.

Question 4

how will my scleroderma be treated?

Accepted Answer

Scleroderma: There is no treatment. The symptoms can be helped by various medications. Bu medical center has the best program in scleroderma research.

Question 5

what can i do to treat scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

It depends: Scleroderma can effect many parts of the body. The treatment prescribed depends on what part of the body is effected. For example certain antacids are prescribed for reflux. Calcium channel blockers are used to treat raynauds. Stronger medications like Cytoxan or CellCept (mycophenolate mofetil) are sometimes used to treat certain lung manifestations. Speak to a rheumatologist who is experienced at treating scleroderma.

Question 6

how do people with scleroderma look?

Accepted Answer

Large range: There are numerous manifestations of scleroderma but the main feature is usually hard skin. This may be thickened hard skin in patches or around just a few fingers +/or toes or around the mouth. Others may have greater involvement of arms, legs causing difficulty moving joints. Worst are disfigurement of face and widespread tight skin over chest, abdomen.

Question 7

how many people die from scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

Rare disease: Scleroderma is a very rare autoimmune disease which often results in a progressive decline in health resulting in death, due to the fact that little or no treatment options exist for scleroderma. It is quite rare, among the rarest of all immune complex diseases.

Question 8

anyone know anything about scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

It is immunmediated : People with scleroderma have thickening of their skin and with this you blood vessel thickening that can lead to hypertension, kidney, lung and heart problems. It is felt to be immune mediated people can have autoimmune phenomen such antibodies to the nucleus it is felt to be an autoimmune disease.

Question 9

what are signs, symptoms of scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

Tight skin: People with scleroderma have  tight skin, but have other findings including raynauds, finger changing color in the cold or stress, joint pain, and can have internal involvement in the lungs, heart, kidney etc. Each person has different finding and  the rheumatologist  helps to put it together.

Question 10

what are common symptoms of scleroderma?

Accepted Answer

Skin changes: The first sign is usually patchy areas on the skin that often make a linear pattern. Early on, they are slightly pink and thickened, but can be flat and shiny. As time passes, the skin spots enlarge and often become thick and lavender/purple-colored, sometimes with pale flat centers. Scleroderma can also affect the heart, lung, kidney, joints, digestive tract. Please see your doctor if you're worried.

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Doctor answers about:

Scleroderma

A member asked:

What is scleroderma?

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Who gets scleroderma?

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What causes scleroderma in people?

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How will my scleroderma be treated?

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What can i do to treat scleroderma?

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How do people with scleroderma look?

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How many people die from scleroderma?

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Anyone know anything about scleroderma?

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What are signs, symptoms of scleroderma?

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What are common symptoms of scleroderma?

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