Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of Scleroderma

is scleroderma an autoimmune disease,diffuse scleroderma symptoms,crest disease symptoms,scleroderma skin disease,systemic scleroderma prognosis,systemic sclerosis prognosis,skin sclerosis treatment,diffuse systemic sclerosis,medicine for scleroderma

Symptoms, Causes And Treatment Of Scleroderma

What Is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that deals particularly with the connective tissues. These connective tissues act like glue between our cells and can be found at almost all parts of our bodies. Since it is an autoimmune disease, it is characterized by having the body’s immune system attack itself instead of protecting it, causing the development of scar tissue and the limiting of the functions of some of the affected organs.

If scleroderma affects more than one area, then that case is known as systemic sclerosis. The more common form of this which would only affect one organ, most commonly the skin is known as morphea. This case, although it could disable a victim would not be fatal most of the time. Systemic sclerosis on the other hand could tend to be fatal.

Who Can Get It?

As of this time, there is still no known cause of scleroderma however, cases have appeared in every gender, age and race although it is more likely to develop in others than it is on some. Scleroderma is four times more likely to appear in women than it is on men and it usually develops somewhere between the ages of 30 to 50. It is also inherent in the Native American Choctaw tribe and in African American women. Scleroderma rarely appears in children.

While there has been no known cause, medical experts have some theories regarding the causes of it. One would be that it is genetic or is a result of heredity or genetic defects. Some would also say that it is environmental, that it is caused by unwanted substances in the environment such as bacteria and viruses. Since the common category for victims of scleroderma would have women that are between the ages 30 and 50, a theory also said that the fetal matter that is left over after pregnancy can cause scleroderma even after years of giving birth. None of these theories however are proven yet.

What Could Happen To A Scleroderma Patient?

Depending on the case, different patients would have different outlooks on scleroderma. Those with limited scleroderma or those who have it on a small area have a considerably good outlook. Most of the time, their case would develop further into another disease other than scleroderma. It is more likely for a case of scleroderma to develop since there is no known treatment for scleroderma.

As for those with systemic scleroderma or those with organ involvement, the outlook is very much negative. Scleroderma is more common in women than it is in men but scleroderma could kill more men. After diagnosis, about two-thirds of all patients would live for at least 11 years. The older the patients are at the time of diagnosis, the more likely their case of scleroderma is to be fatal.

How Is Scleroderma Treated?

Since scleroderma has no known cause, there is also no known cure. Treatment for scleroderma is focused on preventing further damage and relief from discomforting symptoms rather than attempting to entirely remove the disease from the person. A person with organ involvement would take medications or undergo regular therapy in attempt to restore normal activity with these organs.

Scleroderma treatment would also involve having a healthy lifestyle, which means no vices or any unwholesome activities and less stressful activities. Patients of scleroderma would have to take care of themselves more and they should learn to live with their condition.
is scleroderma an autoimmune disease,diffuse scleroderma symptoms,crest disease symptoms,scleroderma skin disease,systemic scleroderma prognosis,systemic sclerosis prognosis,skin sclerosis treatment,diffuse systemic sclerosis,medicine for scleroderma

Scleroderma Lung Disease

autoimmune diseases that affect the skin,crest syndrome prognosis,scleroderma arthritis,crest disease life expectancy,skin sclerosis symptoms,scleroderma skin lesions,sclerosis skin disease,scleroderma treatment for skin thickening,morphea symptoms

Scleroderma Lung Disease

Background

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease which is mainly characterized as the development of scar tissue in various parts of the body. This is a result of damages caused when antibodies in the immune system attack the body’s tissues, which is contrary to its purpose of protecting the body from harmful substances. While the most common body part which is affected by scleroderma is the skin, the lungs are also quite commonly affected constituting about 80% of all cases of scleroderma.

Scleroderma lung disease and all the other complications brought about by it has emerged as the leading cause of fatalities in all cases of scleroderma. Considering that, everyone who has scleroderma should not take lung involvement lightly and should seek immediate medical attention. Lung involvement can occur in either limited or diffuse scleroderma, thus all patients with scleroderma should be aware of what could happen.

How Are The Lungs Involved In Scleroderma?

There is no known cause of scleroderma. What is known is only how scleroderma works and that it can affect a lot of organs including the lungs. Scleroderma usually starts off with the skin or the joints which called as calcinosis or Raynaud’s phenomenon. If the case goes worse, then scleroderma would begin spreading within the body. If it gets to the lungs, then that would be the beginning of lung involvement in scleroderma.

The first visible signs of scleroderma lung disease would be if you show the primary symptoms of scleroderma which is found on the skin and followed by shortness of breath and constant dry coughing without mucus. This in turn could bring about pulmonary hypertension and as well as many other lung diseases other than scleroderma.

Intersitial Lung Disease And Pulmonary Hypertension

Scarring and inflammation of the lungs is called interstitial lung disease or ILD. This can be suspected when the doctor would hear a crackling sound while examining with a stethoscope but is properly diagnosed when the lungs are tested by complete pulmonary function testing. After that, the amount of inflammation of the lungs will be measure by either a chest x-ray or a CT scan. Other processes that can be done are lung biopsy and HRCT

Pulmonary hypertension is brought about by the scarring of the lungs. Since blood vessels are attacked, blood flow to the lungs is limited causing the function of the lungs to be limited too. This in turn can also cause shortness of breath. Pulmonary hypertension is a completely different illness and should treatment for it should be different.

Treatment

Since all cases of scleroderma have no known treatment yet, there is also no known cure for it, although it can still be managed. Treatment for hypertension is more focused on preventing further damage and on attempting to restore organ function to normal, although this is considerably difficult. Treatment for lung involvement in scleroderma would include medications, therapies and surgeries.

While it can be treated with medical attention, it is still very important that the patient should also handle the case responsibly on his or her own. Some things that can be done to help are to stop smoking or to avoid passive smoke if you are not a smoker. Not only can smoke worsen a condition of lung involvement in scleroderma but it can also bring about a lot of different illnesses as well. It would also help if the patient keeps a healthy lifestyle.
autoimmune diseases that affect the skin,crest syndrome prognosis,scleroderma arthritis,crest disease life expectancy,skin sclerosis symptoms,scleroderma skin lesions,sclerosis skin disease,scleroderma treatment for skin thickening,morphea symptoms

Systemic Sclerosis: Background, Diagnosis And Treatment

scleroderma symptoms eyes,scleroderma sine scleroderma,linear scleroderma treatment,sclerosis derma,raynauds scleroderma,scleroderma and lungs,crest syndrome nhs,scleredema symptoms,limited systemic scleroderma,scleroderma pain,scleroderma joint pain

Systemic Sclerosis: Background, Diagnosis And Treatment

Definition

Scleroderma comes mainly in two forms, the localized form of which would only affect a single area and another from which would affect internal organs known as systemic sclerosis. The localized form is also known as “morphea” and although it could disable a patient, it would not be fatal most of the time. Systematic sclerosis however, since it interferes with the internal organs and their functions would be fatal most of the time. Common cases of death from systemic sclerosis are renal and lung related cases.

Scleroderma occurs when your antibodies would attack your tissues instead of protecting them that in turn would lead to the development of scar tissue on the affected areas or thicken it. Women are four times more likely to develop this disease than men are and it usually develops within 30 to 40 years of age. This disease is inherent in the Native American Choctaw race and African-American women and rarely occurs to North Asians. It also rarely occurs in children.

What Can Cause Systemic Sclerosis?

It is known that scleroderma is an autoimmune disease however, only part of the pathogenesis is understood and because of that, medical experts have developed various theories that would refer to the causes of scleroderma. One theory would say that scleroderma is largely environmental and is brought about by unwanted factors in the environment such as bacteria and viruses while another would say that it is genetic and with that, heredity plays a big role.

Some of the substances which are suspected to cause scleroderma are insecticides, epoxy resin, appetite suppressants, silicone implants, drugs and some amino acid compounds. One medical expert also said that the fetal matter left after pregnancy that is still running in the bloodstream can also cause systemic scleroderma. These theories however are not yet proven.

What Can Happen To A Systemic Sclerosis Patient?

A patient with systemic sclerosis can have limited functions in various organs at the same time, most of the time being with the heart, kidneys and lungs. With that, a patient will also show the illness through some visible factors that can be seen especially in the face, neck, fingers, elbows, knees and toenails. If not managed effectively, systemic sclerosis can spread onto other organs or could develop into another disease other than scleroderma.

When it comes to systemic sclerosis, renal and lung related problems are usually the common causes for mortalities. Pulmonary hypertension, which is one of the most common causes of deaths in systemic sclerosis accounts for about 12% of all deaths.

How Can Systemic Sclerosis Be Treated?

Since the cause of scleroderma is not yet known, there is also no known medication for scleroderma instead, the approach for treating systemic sclerosis is patient specific and would depend on which organs are affected by it. Treatment is also focused for limiting the damages done by scleroderma and for alleviating symptoms rather than completely remove scleroderma from a patient.

Treatment is usually done by medications that would vary depending on the case and on which organs are affected. Alternative medications are also given to people who cannot be helped or would develop side effects from the medications that were first taken. For some cases especially for those having problems with organ function, they would have to undergo therapy that would attempt to restore normal organ activity.
scleroderma symptoms eyes,scleroderma sine scleroderma,linear scleroderma treatment,sclerosis derma,raynauds scleroderma,scleroderma and lungs,crest syndrome nhs,scleredema symptoms,limited systemic scleroderma,scleroderma pain,scleroderma joint pain

Sclerosis And Joints

limited scleroderma symptoms,what causes morphea skin disease,scleroderma treatment guidelines,diffuse scleroderma prognosis,scleroderma skin care,linear sclerosis,internal scleroderma,linear scleroderma symptoms,systemic sclerosis life expectancy

Sclerosis And Joints

Sclerosis is when the skin’s surface would suddenly turn into scar tissue or when one would suddenly experience different problems with internal organs that are brought about when an individual’s immune system would start attacking the tissue of that same body. The most visible symptoms of sclerosis is to have some affected areas in the skin however, to know if one is affected, he or she should get diagnosed by a doctor.

Sclerosis is more common in women than it is in men and is rarely found in children. It also happens between the ages of 30 to 60. While sclerosis would affect the skin as well as some organs, it is also notorious for causing a lot of its victims joint pain. Sclerosis could make its victims have dry joints or make the joint movement more limited and in severe cases, it could cripple the victim.

What Causes It?

So far, the cause for sclerosis has never been identified although medical experts have resulted to developing various theories for the cause of sclerosis. Some medical experts would say that sclerosis is very much genetic; having a case of sclerosis in the family would mean that everyone else is at danger of developing it. Some would also say that it is largely environmental and is mainly caused by factors that can be picked up from the environment.

Basing on the common category this would affect which are women in between the ages 30 to 60, some medical experts have thought that the reason behind scleroderma are the fetal remnants left over that are still circulating in the mother’s bloodstream. They say that even after decades after birth, these could still cause scleroderma. This however is yet to be proven and is not backed by sufficient evidence. Even with the main cause of scleroderma being unknown, a lot of cases have still been managed and treated effectively with the use of medications and other methods.

How Does It Affect Joints?

Scleroderma would affect different organs and body parts differently, the only common thing with how it would affect them is that it would cause the patient pain and would limit the activities of the affected area. As for joints, they become less flexible and would cause sharp pain similar to rheumatism or arthritis. This could also lead to the patient being crippled over time if the symptoms do not improve in time.

This is because the antibodies are attacking the bone itself and could also be attacking the nearby muscles depending on the case. If you would get diagnosed with an x-ray, it would show that the bone is whiter than it should be, that of which indicates degeneration in the bone. If that is so, then that degeneration is expected to get worse by the moment until the bone is very brittle and could later start cracking.

How Is It Treated?

With the cause of scleroderma being yet unknown, there is also no single drug that would cure all cases of it. Treatment for scleroderma is specific depending on the case and on the patient as for joint problems, this is usually done first by having it diagnosed with joint x-rays and if it is confirmed that the bones are affected by scleroderma, the patient then will undergo physical therapy for them to be able to manage having limited movement.
limited scleroderma symptoms,what causes morphea skin disease,scleroderma treatment guidelines,diffuse scleroderma prognosis,scleroderma skin care,linear sclerosis,internal scleroderma,linear scleroderma symptoms,systemic sclerosis life expectancy

What Is Scleroderma?

treatment of scleroderma skin disease,systemic sclerosis diagnosis,limited cutaneous scleroderma,scleroderma skin changes,skin diseases in humans scleroderma,diffuse scleroderma life expectancy,systemic scleroderma treatment,crest disease prognosis

What Is Scleroderma?

What Are The Symptoms Of Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease which is shown by hardening or sclerosis most commonly in the skin but could also show in other organs. Being an autoimmune disease, it happens when the body’s tissues are being attacked by its own immune system. The most visible sign of scleroderma is the formation of scar tissue in the skin or in the affected area which would lead to having that area being much firmer and thicker. When scleroderma happens to different parts of the body all at the same time, it could be referred to as systematic sclerosis.

Systematic sclerosis can be fatal as it could result to kidney, heart, intestinal or lung damage. The other form of sclerosis which is known as morphea would tend not to be fatal but could cripple and affected individual.

What Causes It?

As of now, there is no known cause for scleroderma. Some would say that genes would play a heavy role and others would say that it is more environmental than it is genetic. Since genes are said to play a role in this, inheritance also has its part therefore, it would not be unusual to find other relatives of a scleroderma patient to be later on affected with it. Scleroderma also occurs more in females than it does on males.

Although there is no definite cause of scleroderma, there are various theories that can be relied on in basis of scleroderma treatment. Since it is so, every treatment for scleroderma is patient specific and are only made to alleviate a patient for symptoms like relief from pain, cure for hardening skin and other specific symptoms. Hardening of the skin has been treated many times successfully with the use of PUVA, d-penicllamine and cyclosporine.

How Do You Know You Have It?

Symptoms of scleroderma are rather unique and you would know immediately if you have it if some of the symptoms would show. If you have scar tissues couple with pain on some parts of your skin most commonly being the knees and elbows then it is mostly sure that you have scleroderma. Take note that this does not develop immediately but rather over time, if you have it in some parts of the skin, it could still spread or develop into another illness.

If you show any symptoms of it, then you should see your doctor immediately to get diagnosed. The diagnosis of this disease is based on clinical findings of the illness. Most likely, your doctor would have you undergo a blood test to see how your antibodies are affecting you. Other tests would include gastrointestinal tests to see how bowel movement is, lung function testing, x-rays, and test to see how the heart is doing.

Scleroderma Treatment

Since scleroderma has no known cause, treatment for it is aimed towards relieving a patient of specific symptoms rather than in attempt to entirely relieve the patient for scleroderma. Being that, a patient who has it is some organs would be treated only to relieve him or her from the symptoms it would bring about.

Since scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, some of the most common approaches for it would involve the use of immunosuppressive agents such as azathioprene, mycophenolate and methotrexate. As for patients whose lungs would get involved, they could benefit from oxygen therapy which could relieve them from shortness of breath and increase blood oxygen level of which they are most likely deprived of.
treatment of scleroderma skin disease,systemic sclerosis diagnosis,limited cutaneous scleroderma,scleroderma skin changes,skin diseases in humans scleroderma,diffuse scleroderma life expectancy,systemic scleroderma treatment,crest disease prognosis

Scleroderma And The Kidneys

scleroderma disease symptoms,crest syndrome diagnosis,scleroderma crisis,skin tightening disease scleroderma,scleroderma face tightening,scleroderma skin rash,raynaud's scleroderma,what's scleroderma,scleroderma sclerosis,scleroderma foot pain

Scleroderma And The Kidneys

Scleroderma means hard skin when directly translated. It is a disease that would cause the surfaces of your skin and other organs to harden into scar tissue and would usually involve pain and a lot of problems that would involve the affected organs. Scleroderma is most common in women that are between the ages 30 to 60 and rarely happens to children.

At most times, scleroderma would only affect a portion of the skin and is usually visible by tight skin in the face and on the fingers. If it starts affecting the organs, then that is a more sever case known as systemic sclerosis. This may affect the lungs, heart, intestines and the kidney. If the kidney is affected by sclerosis, this would limit the kidney’s functions and as well could cause some pain to the patient. It could however be managed and dealt with medical approaches to scleroderma kidney involvement.

What Causes Scleroderma?

As of today, there is still no known cause for scleroderma. Medical experts however have developed numerous theories in attempt of knowing what the causes are. Some would say that it is largely genetic and that a patient of scleroderma would indicate that his or her relatives are also at danger of developing it. Another would say that it is largely environmental and that it is caused by factors that are influenced by the environment surrounding the patient.

A medical expert also theorized with the common category being women aged 30 to 60 as a basis that the fetal remnants left over that are still circulating in the bloodstream can cause sclerosis even after decades after giving birth. None of these theories however have been proven and as of now, the cause of sclerosis still remains unknown and is yet to be found.

How Does Scleroderma Affect The Kidneys?

While scleroderma would occur in the skin in around 95% of all cases, having it develop in the kidneys is also quite common for those who have it.  Scleroderma mainly affects the blood vessels that are in the kidneys this of which is known as scleroderma renal crisis. This would lead to a sudden rise in blood pressure of the patient as well as a rapid decline in renal function that would happen over days. This may lead to complete renal failure that in turn can cause death.

Before, the leading cause of death for scleroderma victims was renal crisis. Fortunately, drugs of which are known as Angiotension Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or ACE inhibitors have lessened this number significantly and if that does not work, there are still other medications that would serve the purpose effectively. ACE inhibitors are also used commonly to treat high-blood pressure.

How Are Cases Concerning Kidneys Treated?

While scleroderma has no known cause, it also has no known cure. To relieve a patient from it, treatment for scleroderma would vary depending on the cases and on the individual. For cases concerning the kidneys, it focuses more on blood pressure control with the use of ACE inhibitors. As for people who develop side effects from it, they can use angiotensin receptor blockers. These are so effective and are known to have relieved a lot of patients from cases concerning kidneys.

These medicines however are only made to alleviate a patient from symptoms with the kidneys and are not made to completely relieve a patient from scleroderma.
scleroderma disease symptoms,crest syndrome diagnosis,scleroderma crisis,skin tightening disease scleroderma,scleroderma face tightening,scleroderma skin rash,raynaud's scleroderma,what's scleroderma,scleroderma sclerosis,scleroderma foot pain

Treatment For Scleroderma

scleroderma symptoms face,cutaneous scleroderma,what causes morphea,morphea skin disease treatment,systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma,scleroderma crest life expectancy,scleroderma syndrome,what causes scleroderma disease,best scleroderma doctors

Treatment For Scleroderma

How Is Scleroderma Treated?

As of today, there is no known cure for scleroderma. Medications that are prescribed are made to cure a patient of symptoms brought about by scleroderma and not to cure scleroderma itself. This is because scleroderma does not have a known cause and with that, doctors go by various theories in knowing what causes it. Some would say that it is very much genetic and others might say that it is caused by unwanted factors in the environment such as viruses and bacteria. None of these theories however are proven to be correct.

Because there is no specific medicine that would cure scleroderma, scleroderma treatment is patient-specific and is usually catered for a single organ or an affected area like for example; a patient who has a heart problem caused by scleroderma would take medications that would relieve him or her from those or a patient with lung problems would go through therapy to restore normal lung activity.

Diagnosing Scleroderma

If spots or thick spots would occur on your skin coupled by limitation in the function of some of your organs, then you could be a victim of scleroderma. With this, your doctor would have you undergo some physical tests for him to be able to know what approaches should be taken in treating your condition and what medications you would be needing if you need any.

Most of the time, diagnosis for scleroderma is started with a blood test for the doctor to see how your antibodies are doing, since scleroderma is an autoimmune illness it refers to having the antibodies attack the tissue instead of protecting it. Through different ways of diagnosis depending on which areas are affected, the doctor should be able to know what you will need or how you will be able to manage with your condition.

Medications For Scleroderma

Scleroderma can bring about inflammation in different organs that would cause pain or discomfort so to relieve a patient from this, a doctor could prescribe him or her anti-inflammatory medicines this of which would include corticosteroids or ibuprofen. Depending on the case, some would need to be more careful about administrating them and others would need them along with therapy.

Another popular approach in treating scleroderma would be by the use of immunosuppressive therapy since scleroderma’s main concept is a dysfunction in the immune system and immunosuppressive medications basically limit the effects of the immune system to the body. There have been several drugs that have been made in attempt to do this however, only a few have been proven to do this effectively those of which are cyclophosphamide, antithymocite globulin, mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine and methotrexate.

Things To Be Aware Of

While medicine can be taken to relieve a patient from the different sufferings brought about by scleroderma, you should be aware that these are only given to prevent further damage or to relieve specific symptoms. It is never in attempt to completely remove scleroderma in a patient and unfortunately, having a patient completely freed from scleroderma is still not very possible today. These medications however have been proven to give relief.

With that at hand, you should also be able to be in control of your condition. Since you have this, you should take care of yourself more. Ask your doctor about some things or activities that you can do for you to be able to manage living with scleroderma easier and abide by these.

Managing life with scleroderma might not be easy but it is very possible and it is the best way to enjoy life even with a condition.
scleroderma symptoms face,cutaneous scleroderma,what causes morphea,morphea skin disease treatment,systemic sclerosis sine scleroderma,scleroderma crest life expectancy,scleroderma syndrome,what causes scleroderma disease,best scleroderma doctors

Lung Involvement In Scleroderma

hard skin on finger,pictures of scleroderma on legs,types of scleroderma,schederma disease,pss disease,scleroderma mayo clinic,scler medical term,muscle hardening disease,body hardening,connective tissue in the skin hardens,hardening of organs

Lung Involvement In Scleroderma

Background

Just as scleroderma could affect any organ by limiting its functions, the function of the lungs is also greatly interfered with if a patient would get scleroderma in his or her lungs. This is seen by numerous lung illnesses such as shortness of breath and coughing. This in turn can also cause problems with the heart such as hypertension and other heart illnesses.

Scleroderma usually begins with Raynaud’s phenomenon which happens on the skin. If the case is limited scleroderma, it would stop there however if it develops into something worse and would start affecting organs within, then that condition is known as systemic sclerosis. This is more likely to happen in women than it is on men and it usually develops somewhere between the ages of 30 and 50. Scleroderma rarely occurs in children.

How Are The Lungs Involved In Scleroderma?

Scleroderma happens when the antibodies in a person’s immune system would attack their own tissues, which is contradicting to their main purpose of protecting it. The cause of this happening is not yet known although some theories have been made. Some have said that the cause of it is genetic and that scleroderma is hereditary while others would say that scleroderma is brought about unwanted factors in the environment such as bacteria or viruses.

If scleroderma reaches the lungs, then that is the beginning of pulmonary involvement in scleroderma. The first signs that can be seen are shortness of breath and dry cough without mucus. If this worsens, this would lead to lung problems that are much worse and even hypertension. Fortunately, medications and other treatments are available for cases of pulmonary involvement in scleroderma.

What Are The Types Of Lung Involvement In Scleroderma?

It is said that about 10% to 15% of all people with lung involvement in scleroderma would develop sever lung disease during the duration of their illness. There are two main manifestations of lung involvement in scleroderma, one is interstitial lung disease. This is also known as fibrosing alveolitis or pulmonary fibrosis. This occurs in about 75% of all people with scleroderma.

Another manifestation is pulmonary vascular disease, which is the lung problem that could lead to hypertension. This occurs more frequently as another pulmonary complication, but it can also be a result of pulmonary fibrosis. This could happen from 10% to about 80% of all cases of scleroderma. Other manifestations of lung involvement in scleroderma would include brochiectasis, aspiration pneumonia, neoplasm, spontaneous pneumothorax and drug-associated pneumonitis.

How Can This Be Treated Or Managed?

There has been no known cure for lung involvement in scleroderma and as well as all other cases of scleroderma, it can however still be treated with a different approach. Instead of attempting to completely remove scleroderma from a patient, the typical approach for treating lung involvement in scleroderma is to prevent further damage or to attempt to restore normal lung activity with the use of medications, therapy or surgery for some cases.

The most used drug in treating pulmonary scleroderma are corticosteroids. These are also work more effectively when taken with cyclophosphanide. However, not all cases have been effectively treated with it. If ever a patient should develop side effects or if it would lead to further complications, the patient should consider other medications such as HRCT, BAL or penicillamine.
hard skin on finger,pictures of scleroderma on legs,types of scleroderma,schederma disease,pss disease,scleroderma mayo clinic,scler medical term,muscle hardening disease,body hardening,connective tissue in the skin hardens,hardening of organs

Scleroderma - Types Diagnosis And Treatment

what is systemic sclerosis,systemic scleroderma pictures,crest syndrome antibody,what does scleroderma look like,hardening of the skin,what is scleroderma symptoms,what is scleroderma disease,scleroderma meaning,scler,is scleroderma fatal,too much collagen

Scleroderma - Types Diagnosis And Treatment

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects the connective tissue, this of which is found all over our body in our skin, joints and in most of our organs. It happens when the antibodies in your immune system would damage your tissues, which is contrary to their main purpose of which is to protect them. That in turn would cause the scarring of the affected areas that would also make them thicken. Blood supply to the affected area is limited and that causes the function to also be limited.

Scleroderma can happen to anyone, but it is more likely to appear in some than it is on others. Scleroderma is four times more likely to happen to women than it is on men and it usually develops between the ages of 30 and 50. It is also found often in African-American women and of the Native American Choctaw tribe. It rarely occurs among northern Asians and children.

What Are The Types Of Scleroderma?

Scleroderma can be classified according the area that it is affecting as well as the degree. Mainly, there are two forms of scleroderma. The localized type is known as limited scleroderma. This type would usually only affect a small portion, usually on the skin and even if it could disable a patient, it is not fatal most of the time. While this is considerably mild, it could develop rapidly and could start affecting the organs, if that happens, the condition in known as systemic sclerosis.

Systemic sclerosis is the severe form of the disease and would tend to be more fatal than the localized type. This is because it limits blood flow to the organs, causing different types of problems. The affected organs can be anywhere from the digestive system, the kidney, the lungs and the heart. Conditions with organs however can be managed with the use of careful medication.

What Are The Symptoms?

Scleroderma would usually begin with Raynaud’s phenomenon or other skin problems. After that, it could stop there if it is limited scleroderma of it could spread to other organs if the condition is systemic sclerosis. The most common part to be affected with the development of scleroderma within are the digestive organs, primarily the esophagus. The kidneys are also one of the most affected organs with scleroderma.

While cardiac involvement in scleroderma is quite rare, it is one of the most fatal types of scleroderma as it can cause numerous heart diseases. Lung problems brought about by scleroderma used to be the leading cause of death until effective medications were discovered and changed the whole picture. As of now, these problems with different organs can be managed with medical help.

How Can It Be Cured?

Since scleroderma has no definite cause, it also has no known cure. The approach to scleroderma treatment is more of limiting damages and treating individual symptoms rather than completely removing the cause of scleroderma in a patient. This however has turned out well in fact, lung problems which used to be the leading cause of deaths in scleroderma patients has already been managed well. Medications which have proven effective have changed the whole picture and so has it for other body parts.

If ever a patient should develop side effects or further complications with medications, he or she could either take alternative medications or go for surgery. All of these treatment methods go well with rehabilitation therapy every once in a while to restore normal organ function and as well as clean and healthy living.
what is systemic sclerosis,systemic scleroderma pictures,crest syndrome antibody,what does scleroderma look like,hardening of the skin,what is scleroderma symptoms,what is scleroderma disease,scleroderma meaning,scler,is scleroderma fatal,too much collagen

Scleroderma And Elbow Pains

lupus rash photos,cutaneous lupus erythematosus,disease that hardens organs,skin hardening disease,scleroderma pictures face,lupus wikipedia,crest syndrome pictures,localized scleroderma,lupus lupus,systemic sclerosis pictures,early scleroderma pictures

Scleroderma And Elbow Pains

Background

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by having the antibodies attack their own tissues, which is contrary to their main purpose of protecting it. That in turn would cause the affected area to thicken and its functions to be limited. The more common form of scleroderma which is limited scleroderma or CREST would tend not to be fatal, although it can cripple a patient. The severe from of it which it systemic scleroderma is the more fatal type.

Scleroderma is quite rare as it only affects 14 out of every 1 million people worldwide. Scleroderma affects women more than it affects men and is usually develops within the ages 30 and 50. This illness is inherent in African-American women and the Native American Choctaw tribe. It rarely occurs in northern Asians and in children.

What Are The Causes Of Scleroderma?

As of now, there is no accurate cause of scleroderma although medical experts suspect some factors to cause it. One of those factors is genetics; they say that scleroderma is in the genes and those with genetic defects are more susceptible to the disease. Another is an unhealthy environment that could expose a patient to some factors that may cause it such as bacteria, viruses and similar factors. Hormones could also play a role as to why it happens to more women than it does on men.

Another theory made by medical experts is that the fetal matter that is left over after pregnancy that is still circulating in the mother’s system can cause scleroderma even after years of giving birth. This is why the most common category for patients with scleroderma are women between ages 30 and 50. While these theories may be reasonable and logical, none of these are proven yet and they still remain as theories.

How Does Scleroderma Develop In The Elbows?

Scleroderma can occur in most parts of the body such as the skin, the lungs, kidneys, stomach, esophagus, intestines, heart and the bones however, the elbows are some of the most affected parts when it comes to scleroderma involvement. The thickening of the tissues in the elbow will bring about limitations in its movement and as well as can be accompanied by pain. The cause of this, which are most likely calcium deposits can actually be seen and felt.

The elbows are quite sensitive and can be affected even in limited scleroderma, especially the tips of the elbows called the olecranon area. If a patient’s elbows are affected by scleroderma, this can lead to discomforting irritation and tenderness if pressure is applied on the elbows. Fortunately, this is very possible to be treated.

How Can This Be Treated?

There is no known treatment for all cases of scleroderma. The approach for treating scleroderma is patient-specific and is more focused on preventing further damage and on treating individual symptoms. As for cases with elbow involvement, this can be treated with tropical lubricants and emollients. But if ever the patient would develop side effects or if these medications would not work at all, the patient can avail of alternative medicine.

One of the known alternative medicines that have proven effective in treating this condition is Bagbalm, this of which you would only apply to the tender areas of the affected area. Bagbalm is available over the counter and does not require any medical prescription.
lupus rash photos,cutaneous lupus erythematosus,disease that hardens organs,skin hardening disease,scleroderma pictures face,lupus wikipedia,crest syndrome pictures,localized scleroderma,lupus lupus,systemic sclerosis pictures,early scleroderma pictures

Scleroderma and Renal Crisis

scleroderma eyes,scleroderma photos,sle disease,thickening of skin on fingertips,scleroderma crest syndrome,scleroderma lung disease,scleroderma hands early,crest diagnosis,discoid lupus pictures

Scleroderma and Renal Crisis

Scleroderma renal crisis is the term used to describe kidney involvement in scleroderma because of the very much discomforting symptoms brought about by it that indeed puts the patient into a crisis. This happens when scleroderma, of which the cause is unknown, would reach the kidneys, limiting blood supply to it and limiting its functions or totally impairing it. This condition could only happen to those with the diffuse form of scleroderma which is called limited sclerosis.

Kidney involvement in scleroderma would usually start of as an increase in blood pressure then would later show more signs within weeks or days. Scleroderma renal crisis is mainly associated with a decrease in kidney function, the appearance of protein in urine and in severe cases, accompanied by heart failure.

How Does This Develop?

Scleroderma would usually start of in the skin in the form of calcinosis or Raynaud’s phenomenon. If it sticks with those symptoms, then that case of scleroderma is most likely limited scleroderma or CREST which is the milder form of the illness. Although this can disable, it would tend most of the time not to be fatal. However, if it spreads to the internal organs, the kidneys in particular, then that would be the beginning of scleroderma renal involvement.

The connective tissues in the kidneys are the ones that are primarily involved in scleroderma. Scleroderma causes scar tissue to develop in them, thus making them thicker. This also limits blood flow to the kidneys that in turn could impair or actually kill some parts of the kidney or the kidney itself. This could also lead to heart complications that in sever cases, could lead to heart failure.

Start Treatment Early

Patients with renal involvement in scleroderma should start treatment as early as possible. This condition is quite serious and could develop before anyone would know. To prevent further damage, it is highly advisable that a patient should start treatment early. If ever there would be significant damage done to the kidneys, little can be done to reverse the effects.

The effectiveness of treating renal involvement in scleroderma would depend heavily on the level of damage already inflicted at that time of treatment. The less damage there is, the more likely a patient would recover from the condition. Since scleroderma in general has no known cure, treatment for renal involvement is more focused on limiting damage.

Can This Condition Be Treated?

Even if scleroderma in general has no treatment, a lot of things can still be done to help relieve a patient from the damages done by scleroderma to the kidneys. However if the kidney is already totally impaired, little can be done to reverse the effect. But if treatment would start early, then treatment is very possible through medical help which would involve medications, rehabilitation therapies and surgery for some cases.

The point that all patients or those who are widely involved with renal scleroderma is that it is treatable and a lot has been done in the past to help cure people with this condition. The key to relief from it is early treatment as well as taking medications religiously and as well as careful medical attention.

Because renal involvement in scleroderma is quite sensitive, this would require the utmost attention of the doctor as well as a lot of effort from the patient.
scleroderma eyes,scleroderma photos,sle disease,thickening of skin on fingertips,scleroderma crest syndrome,scleroderma lung disease,scleroderma hands early,crest diagnosis,discoid lupus pictures,scleroderma images,telangiectasia scleroderma,scleroderma awareness,discoid lupus symptoms

Pulmonary Involvement With Scleroderma

skin thickening on face,circumscribed scleroderma,list of symptoms of crest syndrome,is scleroderma genetic,scleroderma esophagus,crest autoimmune,scleroderma blood test,linear scleroderma morphea,scleroderma test,lupus scleroderma

Pulmonary Involvement With Scleroderma

What Is Scleroderma?

Scleroderma is quite rare, only affecting 14 out of every 1million persons worldwide. Most commonly, scleroderma affects women more than men and those who are between ages 35 and 54. Symptoms of scleroderma vary depending on what part of the body it is affecting. The most common symptom however is the development of scar tissue on the skin coupled with sensitivity and pain.

A more severe form of scleroderma is known as systemic sclerosis which is shown by the development of scar tissue on the skin as well as involvement with other parts of the body such as the joints, muscle, digestive organs, heart, kidneys and lungs. Lung involvement with scleroderma is one of the most common cases with 70% of all cases having such. It follows the symptoms shown by the skin which would account for 95% of all cases.

What Are The Causes Of Scleroderma Lung Disease?

As of today, there are no known causes of any form of scleroderma although a lot of medical experts have theories on the causes. Some would say that is very much genetic, thus if a person would develop scleroderma, his relatives are also at greater risk of having it. Some would also say that it is environmental and are caused by different substances in the environment.

Another theory would say that the left-over fetal cells after pregnancy that are still circulating in the mother’s bloodstream even after decades after pregnancy has a role in causing the illness, considering the common category of people who develop scleroderma which are women in between the ages 35 and 54. Although these theories could be reliable, it is not backed up by solid scientific proof.

What Are The Symptoms Of Scleroderma Lung Disease?

If you show the early symptoms of scleroderma which can be found on the skin coupled by shortness of breath especially during exercise and dry cough without mucus, then it is very likely that your lungs are affected by scleroderma. In order for you to be assured, you can see a doctor to get diagnosed. The doctor then will conduct a blood test to see how your antibodies are doing.

Since scleroderma is an autoimmune disease, it happens when your antibodies are attacking your own tissues. The doctors will be able to know this through a blood test of which they could see if that is so. For lung involvement, you would undergo a physical exam, chest x-ray and a lung function test to see how capable your lungs are of doing its purpose.

How Do You Treat Scleroderma In Lungs?

As of now, there is also no known drug that can stop scleroderma from developing in the lungs. The medical approaches taken to relieve a patient from the symptoms that he or she would have is more of a rehabilitative approach rather than an attempt to entirely remove the illness. In doing this, the doctor would give therapies to a patient to relieve him or her from shortness of breath.

Numerous medications have failed and some experts have concluded that none of those that are available would work. Because of that, they would recommend constant rehabilitation of the lungs although significant improvement in lung function is unlikely to happen here. Since the causes and medications of scleroderma are unknown to the medical world, there is much to be explored and to be found out in it.
skin thickening on face,circumscribed scleroderma,list of symptoms of crest syndrome,is scleroderma genetic,scleroderma esophagus,crest autoimmune,scleroderma blood test,linear scleroderma morphea,scleroderma test,lupus scleroderma

Diagnosis and Treatment For Psoriasis

puva,plaque psoriasis scalp,home remedies for psoriasis,psoriasis in children,inverse psoriasis,scaly skin,is psoriasis itchy,how to get rid of psoriasis,psoriasis of the liver,psoriasis on head,psoriasis elbow,psoriasis photos,discoid eczema,psoriasis home treatment

Diagnosis and Treatment For Psoriasis

Diagnosis of psoriasis usually comes after the doctor has conducted a physical exam. The practitioner can determine if a patient is suffering from the condition by simply taking a look at the patches on the skin. The doctor performs a skin biopsy to confirm plaque psoriasis. 

Fortunately, there are home remedies available for treating this skin condition. Products like cortisone creams can help minimize itchiness involved in mild psoriasis. They can be obtained even without prescription from the doctor. Ultraviolet B has been used with the supervision of the doctor.

Since psoriasis is a chromic condition, long term treatment should be considered. Treatment approaches are personalized based on the gender, age, occupation, personal motivation, other health issues, and available resources. The degree of severity is determined not only by the amount and extent of plaques but also by the perception and acceptance of the disease by the patient. It should cater to the specific expectations of the patient instead of targeting its extent on the body surface area involved.

There is a wide range of treatment options available for psoriasis. But the creation of an effective therapeutic regimen is not really that complex. There are three kinds of treatment approaches for psoriasis. They can be used independently or in combination.

Topical approaches are directly applied to the skin. They are usually the first treatment method recommended. The principal topical approaches include corticosteroids, derivatives of vitamin D-3, coal tar, anthralin, or retinoids. There is no specific topical treatment that works best for psoriasis. Each drug can have detrimental effects, so it is recommended that you use them alternately.

In certain cases, combining a topical cream with another is more beneficial than using only one. Usually some preparations have keratolytics. There are some drugs that do not work well with the active ingredients of these preparations. Salicylic acid, for instance, disables calcipotriene while anthralin needs salicylic acid to function efficiently.

Phototherapy involves the use of the ultraviolet rays of the sun which can slow down the production of skin cells and minimizes inflammation. Exposure to sunlight can help decrease the appearance of psoriasis symptoms in some people. If the extent of the condition is widespread, and there are more patches in the skin, artificial light therapy will be utilized.

The use of phototherapy is also recommended when the patient has shown resistance to topical treatment. A treatment center needs to have the appropriate equipments in order to use the two main approaches of light therapy. The light required in phototherapy, usually found in most tanning salons, is not similar to the source of light found in the doctor’s office.

A systemic agent is an approach that involves the administration of drugs within the body. This is only resorted to when attempts to use topical treatments and phototherapy have been proven futile. For patients suffering from pustular psoriasis, the use of retinoids may be necessary from the onset of treatments.

After administration of retinoids, psoralen and ultraviolet A treatment follows. For mild and chronic varieties of pustular psoriasis, the first two approaches are tried out first. However, in the case of active psoriatric arthritis, the use of systemic agents is usually recommended. Likewise, people hampered by people suffering from conditions as a result of psychological, social, or economic reasons are treated using systemic approach.

People diagnosed with psoriasis should not worry too much as there are various treatments available at their disposal. However, they need to consult their practitioner first.
puva,plaque psoriasis scalp,home remedies for psoriasis,psoriasis in children,inverse psoriasis,scaly skin,is psoriasis itchy,how to get rid of psoriasis,psoriasis of the liver,psoriasis on head,psoriasis elbow,psoriasis photos,discoid eczema,psoriasis home treatment

Effects Of Psoriasis In Your Life

light therapy for psoriasis,nail psoriasis,over the counter psoriasis treatment,plaque psoriasis causes,psoriasis on feet,natural cure for psoriasis,erythrodermic psoriasis,severe psoriasis,pustular psoriasis,how to treat psoriasis,psoriasis remedies

Effects Of Psoriasis In Your Life

It is difficult if we suffered Psoriasis in our happy life.  Psoriasis can affect our skin but the impact of suffering from a psoriasis disease may also affect our emotional and psychological stability.  There are two major issues to tackle of having a psoriasis disease: (1) the dermatologist as well as the patient must treat the disease; and (2) the patient may need a psychologist to treat his/her emotional effect from other people being the ugliest individual in their community.

If we psoriasis, the observers of our community may think that we suffers that kind of disease because of bad hygiene and being unclean.  Almost a quarter of the psoriasis patients experienced a day or week and even for years that people in their community doesn’t want to touch or talk with them because they are thinking that they will suffers that disease also.  Most people everywhere if they accidentally cross a psoriasis patient will look the disease career from head to toe.  Wherever you are, either you are in the mall or even in the church, if they see you coming in, they will eventually make a distance away from you.

That avoidance can be a heart-hurting and makes it is not easy to sustain a strong self-image.  You may feel frustrated, angry, embarrassed, helpless or self-conscious.  And the shabbier your self-image, the harder it becomes to look forward to that people in your community will be going to understand you.

If you continue to worry of what the people will say about your psoriasis will create a major problem to build a stressful life.  Stress can make your psoriasis worse.  Almost 65 percent of people with psoriasis who became stressful from other people will worsen the psoriasis.
Without proper guidance and understanding from people with psoriasis will lead them into depression, anxiety, and became worse to think of committing suicide because of their body image issues.

One thing to help the psoriasis patient is to build a strong support network that will help them understand of the beauty of life and to understand their disease.  The members of the network will not judge the patient of being ugly as a psoriasis disease infected their skin.  Your network will make a particular research about psoriasis (how to help them; different kinds of treatments; types of psoriasis; or even the history of psoriasis) and if you can, you can help him also to finance his needed treatments. 

You can also ask help from a dermatologist to help them.  In that step, he will realize that beauty in life cannot be found only in your outer skin but also at the core of our heart.  Love and understanding will lead the way to extend the life of psoriasis patients.  Even if by the time they reach as a dying patient, a big smile will extend in their face from the bottom of their hearts saying “Thank You.”

If we are the observers of the community believing that having a Psoriasis disease won’t kill the patient instantly but slowly killing them inside because of emotional stress.  We should help them.  We should build a social support network.  A good start from the members of his family, then followed by his friends until all the community will truly understand about his disease.

Psoriasis disease is a deadly disease but the support network will make their dying time not a disease anymore.
light therapy for psoriasis,nail psoriasis,over the counter psoriasis treatment,plaque psoriasis causes,psoriasis on feet,natural cure for psoriasis,erythrodermic psoriasis,severe psoriasis,pustular psoriasis,how to treat psoriasis,psoriasis remedies

Different Types Of Psoriasis

types of psoriasis,how do you get psoriasis,cirrhosis skin,best shampoo for psoriasis,best treatment for psoriasis,psoriasis rash,mild psoriasis,what is plaque psoriasis,psoriasis natural treatment,best cream for psoriasis,psoriasis lotion,psoriasis on hands

Different Types Of Psoriasis

Most of the dermatologists find a hard time to diagnose Psoriasis because it almost the same with other skin diseases such as fungus, acne and other related form especially when psoriasis is still in the mild form.  If you examine a small skin sample under the microscope you will eventually categorize if it is psoriasis or not and you can also identify them the type or form of psoriasis of a particular patient that includes the following:

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris), skin lesions are covered by silvery scales and red at the base of about 1/8 or small part of your body will be infected.  Removing this inflamed skin which bleed and slowly grow larger that will eventually develop a dry plaque.  This form can also develop from cold weather, infection or stress.  It can be started in the elbow, knees and lower backs.

Guttate psoriasis (comes from a Latin word “Gutta” which means “drop”), small, teardrop-shaped lesion appears on the limbs, trunk, and scalp and is mostly often triggered by upper respiratory infections (e.g.: a sore throat caused by streptococcal germs).  Guttate psoriasis can be the early stage of psoriasis because mostly affects the children to young adults

Pustular psoriasis (also known as Von Zumbusch Pustular Psoriasis), blisters of noninfectious pus appear on the skin and can be triggered by medicine, contamination, constant worry, or close contact to certain chemicals.  And this form of psoriasis can be a big treat also to our heart and kidney.

Inverse psoriasis, smooth, inflamed red patches occur in the folds of the skin near the genitals, under the breasts, or in the armpits and can be worsened by friction and sweating.  Inverse psoriasis patients can be difficult to treat and can be nearly linked to breast cancer.

Erythrodermic psoriasis, widespread reddening and scaling of the skin may be a reaction to severe sunburn or to taking corticosteroids (cortisone) or other medications and can be caused by a prolonged period of increased activity of psoriasis that is poorly controlled.  Erythordermic psoriasis can cover almost all over your body.

Psoriatic arthritis that produce symptom of arthritis in patient with inflammatory condition of stiff, tender and joints who have or will develop psoriasis.  AIDS patients diagnosed as the higher risk in developing psoriatic arthritis.  About 75% of the psoriatic arthritis patients suffer psoriasis in the nails.  Psoriatic arthritis can be associated with SAPHO (Synovitis, Acne, Pustule eruptions, Hyperostosis, Osteolysis).

Seborrheic psoriasis, patches that appear as red scaly areas on your scalp such as behind the ears, above the shoulder blades, in the armpits or groin, or can be worse at the center of the face and also difficult to treat.

Nail psoriasis, a tiny white pits scattered in group across the nails (most common in the toenails) with yellowish spots.  The nail bed peel away from the skin of the finger and dead skin can build up under the nail.

Scalp psoriasis, characterized by scale-capped plaques on the surface of the skull and at least half of every 100 patients of any form of psoriasis have this scalp psoriasis.

Whatever form of Psoriasis you have, it truly affects our beautiful life.  It also affects most of our financial investments just to cure this not curable skin disease.  But there are some reports that they have medications to treat Psoriasis of any form.

types of psoriasis,how do you get psoriasis,cirrhosis skin,best shampoo for psoriasis,best treatment for psoriasis,psoriasis rash,mild psoriasis,what is plaque psoriasis,psoriasis natural treatment,best cream for psoriasis,psoriasis lotion,psoriasis on hands

History Of Psoriasis

natural remedies for psoriasis,types of psoriasis,how do you get psoriasis,cirrhosis skin,best shampoo for psoriasis,best treatment for psoriasis,psoriasis rash,mild psoriasis,what is plaque psoriasis,psoriasis natural treatment,best cream for psoriasis,psoriasis lotion

History Of Psoriasis

Probably one of the longest known illnesses of humans is Psoriasis.  Psoriasis became the ugliest disease for every human that they experience.  Either you are king, members of the royal family, a politician, a businessman or such an ordinary individual you are not safe in psoriasis.  Scholars believe that the tzaraat disease mention in the Bible is likely the same with psoriasis.  It was first introduced by Hippocrates (Greek Physician between 460 and 377 BC) but no formal introduction that time until in the first century that Cornelius Celsus (Roman author) described it as a condition that caused by staphylococcus pyogenes of red patches with watery blisters on the skin. 

During the time of Hippocrates, a psoriasis disease had different names such as lepra, psora, alphos and leichen.  And Psoriasis became part of the medicinal literature after Joseph Jacob Plenck of Vienna in 1776 as scaly or scale like diseases.  Plenck doesn’t compared the Psoriasis from other skin diseases discovered until Robert Willan (1757-1812), an English dermatologist together with Thomas Bateman recognized this disease as an independent.  They divided it into two categories: (1) Leprosa Graecorum, as the condition when the skin had scales; and (2) Psora Leprosa, as the condition when it became eruptive.

In 1841, Ferdinand von Hebra (Viennese dermatologist) as he was working with Willan’s notes, he ascribed the name “psoriasis” from the Greek word “psora” or “to itch” in the English dictionary, he’s also the one who described the clinical picture of psoriasis that our dermatologist are using today.

Until in the 20th century differentiated into more specific types such as plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, erythrodermic psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, seborrheic psoriasis, nail psoriasis, and scalp psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an unrelieved constant condition.  Psoriasis varies in harshness established among adults.  Psoriasis can sort from being an annoyance to a devastating skin chaos, predominantly when it’s connected with arthritis.

There are different types of treatments recorded in the history to eliminate psoriasis from our skin for over 100 years.

For more than a century ago, the first aid treatments for the psoriasis were the dithranol, coal tar, salicyclic acid, sunlight (six to ten in the morning), Dead Sea salts and emollients.  In 1920’s, they found that ultraviolet light will make a great help.  They discovered topical and oral steroids in 1950’s.  While in 1960’s they discovered hydroxyurea.  PUVA (psoralen plus UVA) treated in the 1970’s while methotrexate in the 80’s.  A topical vitamin D3 as well as retinoids and cyclosporine help psoriasis patients in 1990’s.  And for this century, more technological treatments discovered such as biological treatments and laser treatments.

In the late 20th century it was understandable by a really gigantic approach to the predicament of psoriasis.  Around the world there have been published more than 10,000 pieces, faithful to psoriatic dermatosis which makes it one of the most examined in the last decade.  On the other hand, not any of the potential or the theories shows an absolute core the infection, and the similar harms of cure and precautionary safeguarding stands in the face of the modern dermatologists as vibrant as it did in the last centuries.

Today many Scientists and medical institutions compact with the examination of the root of psoriasis.  In the United States they formed an international association for the studies of psoriasis with 35 different countries worldwide in Stanford University as their headquarters.  They publish an American Journal of Psoriasis.

Then, every five years there is an specialized World Congress for the difficulty of psoriasis.  Every 29th of October is the World Psoriasis Day to help the psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patients around the globe.
natural remedies for psoriasis,types of psoriasis,how do you get psoriasis,cirrhosis skin,best shampoo for psoriasis,best treatment for psoriasis,psoriasis rash,mild psoriasis,what is plaque psoriasis,psoriasis natural treatment,best cream for psoriasis,psoriasis lotion

An Introduction To Psoriasis

psoriasis cure,psoriasis cream,psoriasis symptoms,psoriasis shampoo,psoriasis arthritis,scalp psoriasis treatment,psoriasis diet,what does psoriasis look like,psoriasis medication,plaque psoriasis treatment,psoriasis skin,psoriasis vulgaris,scalp psoriasis shampoo

An Introduction To Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an unrelieved provocative non contagious skin and joint disease that affects our immune system.   The white blood cells (T-cells) become over-stimulated and it commonly causes red crusty dry patches (also called psoriatic plaques or lesions) to emerge on the skin because of the excessive skin production.  The skin reacts just the same with the fungus infection.  Researchers believe that inheritance, atmosphere, and the immune system may also play a primary role in psoriasis. 

If you have psoriasis it will affects your immune system results an abnormally hasty skin cell cycle and usually itchy and feel sore.  The process of having psoriasis begins at the bottom layer of the epidermis, where keratinocytes are completed.  Keratinocytes are juvenile skin cells that fabricate keratin, a strong protein that helps the structure of hair, nails and skin.

Generally, skin cells that are produced in the deepest layers of our skin make their way to the outside in just a week or less.  They are full-grown, that sloughed off the skin, and replaced with novel skin cells from underneath.  Our skin cannot get rid of these cells as much as necessary speed, so they fabricate up and doing, leading to chunky, dry patches, or plaques, silvery, crumbling areas of dead skin.

They usually rise in your elbows, feet, palms, legs, face wrists, lower back and knees but can also affect any area such as our scalp and genitals but overall it can also affects our whole body.  In relation with exzema, psoriasis is more prone to be found on the peripheral portion of the joint (psoriatic arthritis).  Our fingernails and toenails can also affect with psoriasis (psoriatic nail dystrophy or nail lesions).

Psoriasis is not curable skin disease from time to time improving and worsening especially if you were triggered to scratch them.  Some people with psoriasis can rise in the colder winter months while others in the warmer months in increased sunlight exposure.  Patients with psoriasis can explode by changes in climate, stress, infections, a drug-related rash and dry skin and excess in alcohol.

Psoriasis can infected worldwide, whatever your gender and race, either you are baby, teen or an adult but most of the patients can only diagnosed in their early adult years.  People with rigorous psoriasis may have collective awkwardness, job strain, expressive anguish, and other delicate issues for the reason that the outward show of their skin.

About 25-40% of patients with psoriasis can also develop psoriatic arthritis and still cannot be diagnosed especially if the symptoms are placid.  They usually develops between the early 30’s to the late 40’s; on the other hand, as mentioned on the previous paragraph that it can affect of any age of any gender worldwide and 5.7 to 7.5 millions of people in the United States or 2 to 2.6 percent of the total population suffers psoriasis.   

There are different types of psoriasis but regardless of what type you have it usually causes you a discomfort life.  And because of psoriasis, most patients can be awake even at night because of the itchy feeling.  The pain can be difficult to handle and you even think to finish your life because of discomfort.

Being a patient with Psoriasis will be suffers a lifelong treatment and therapy and can losing all your financial investment just for the medications.
psoriasis cure,psoriasis cream,psoriasis symptoms,psoriasis shampoo,psoriasis arthritis,scalp psoriasis treatment,psoriasis
diet,what does psoriasis look like,psoriasis medication,plaque psoriasis treatment,psoriasis skin,psoriasis vulgaris,scalp

psoriasis shampoo

Limited Scleroderma - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

signs of scleroderma,scleroderma fingers,systemic scleroderma life expectancy,systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms,morphea causes,crest syndrome treatment,skin tightening disease,scleroderma antibodies,limited scleroderma life expectancy

Limited Scleroderma - Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

Definition

Limited scleroderma is one of two main forms of scleroderma, with it being the safer or the one which would tend not to be fatal. Limited scleroderma happens when an individual’s antibodies would attack his or her own tissues, which is contrary to its real purpose which is to protect it. This in turn would cause the affected area, which in most cases is the skin, to thicken. Since this is usually accompanied by pain, the patient’s movement is limited.

Limited scleroderma would often show in the face, chest, arms, elbows, knees, fingers, toes and sometimes on the legs and the spine. This is most likely to occur to women than it is on men and usually comes out when the victim is around 30 to 50 years of age. While limited scleroderma is considerably mild, neglecting it can make the case worse and have the condition spread inside. This condition then is known as systemic sclerosis.

Causes

As of now, there is no accurately known cause for any case of scleroderma. Some of the possible causes are genetics and that scleroderma can be hereditary, environment and that it is brought about by different unwanted factors in the environment such as bacteria, virus and similar factors, hormones are also said to cause it as to explain why women are more likely to develop scleroderma much more than men are.

One theory also made was that the fetal matter left after pregnancy that are still circulating in the mother’s system, even after decades of giving birth can cause scleroderma. While all of these may be reasonable and are very possible causes of scleroderma, unfortunately none of them are proven yet and the cause for all forms of scleroderma remains unknown.

Symptoms

Limited scleroderma is also known as CREST which is an acronym of all of its most visible symptoms. The first symptom for it of which the first letter stands for is calcinosis. This is the development of tiny calcium deposits under the skin which mainly form on the joints. These deposits can be felt and seen easily. Another symptom is Raynaud’s phenomenon which is the most common symptom of every form of scleroderma with it happening in 95% of all cases.

Esophagus disease is also experienced by people who suffer scleroderma, which would make it difficult for them to swallow since it interferes with the body’s way of processing food down known as peristalsis. Another evident symptom is sclerodactyly which refers to the localized tightening of the toes and fingers thus limiting their movement. The last symptom is telangiectasias, which are tiny red areas anywhere on the skin.

Treatment

As of now, there is no known treatment for the complete removal of scleroderma in a patient. The approach for treating scleroderma is focused on limiting the damages done by the illness to the affected areas and as well as attempting to restore function to the damaged area. This can be done by either medications, rehabilitation therapy and as well as surgery. Numerous cases have been proven successful in the past.

For limited scleroderma, each different symptom is treated individually. Raynaud’s phenomenon would only require warming and protection or one could take low-dose aspirin to prevent blood clots. Fluoxetine can also help improve overall circulation which can restore normal functions.
signs of scleroderma,scleroderma fingers,systemic scleroderma life expectancy,systemic lupus erythematosus symptoms,morphea causes,crest syndrome treatment,skin tightening disease,scleroderma antibodies,limited scleroderma life expectancy

Having Lungs Involved In Scleroderma

systemic sclerosis symptoms,systemic sclerosis treatment,crest syndrome life expectancy,systemic sclerosis scleroderma,scleroderma early symptoms,progressive systemic sclerosis,scleroderma cure,crest syndrome symptoms,scleroderma skin

Having Lungs Involved In Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that happens when the antibodies, instead of protecting the body would attack the tissues causing them to degrade or limiting the affected area’s functions. It primarily deals with the connective tissues, those of which act like glue and bind our cells together. Since these connective tissues are found almost everywhere on our body, scleroderma is able to affect all of them primarily the skin and the organs.

Scleroderma is quite rare as it is only found in 14 out of every 1 million people worldwide. Scleroderma mostly occurs in women more than it does on men however, it can kill more men. It is likely to develop between the ages of 30 to 50 and is inherent in some races such as the Native American Choctaw tribe and African-American women. It is also very rare that it would develop in children.

How Does Scleroderma Affect The Lungs?

Scleroderma can affect the lungs just as it could affect other organs and limit their functions. While scleroderma would affect the skin in most cases, another one of the most common organs that scleroderma would attack are the lungs. This happens when the antibodies attack the lungs causing its surfaces to toughen and limiting the lungs’ functions. With that, scleroderma lung involvement can also lead to the rise of other complications with the lungs and even with the heart. Some of these complications can be pneumonia, lung abscess, pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary fibrosis.

Fortunately, lung involvement in scleroderma can be managed with some medications and some processes. While these may not remove the disease entirely from the person, it could give relief and as well as minimize the damages done by scleroderma. This is the typical approach when it comes to treating all forms of scleroderma.

How Is This Diagnosed?

If one would have the development of calcium deposits in the skin as well as experience pain or problems with some organs, then that person is most likely to be a victim or systemic sclerosis. As for lung involvement, the patient would go different medical tests to see how the lungs are functioning. One common test that can be done is pulmonary function testing which will have the patient breath through a machine and from there; the doctor will be able to tell how well the lungs are functioning.

Another test that could be done is an open lung biopsy of which the doctor will take a sample scraping from your lungs and have it observed to see what can be done with your condition and what medications you could take to relieve you from your symptoms.

How Is This Treated?

With scleroderma not having a known cause, it also has no known cure. While medications are available, these only limit damages done by the illness and as well as relieve a patient from symptoms. For scleroderma lung involvement, a doctor could give you an immunosuppressive, this of which would try to limit the amount of antibodies produced. If a patient should not find relief from this medication or should develop other side effects, other therapies can be made.

Other therapies that can be done to relieve a patient from the symptoms of scleroderma lung involvement are antifibrotic therapy which in attempt would try to lessen the fibrous surfaces of the affected area, antiendothelin therapy and anticytokine therapy.
systemic sclerosis symptoms,systemic sclerosis treatment,crest syndrome life expectancy,systemic sclerosis scleroderma,scleroderma early symptoms,progressive systemic sclerosis,scleroderma cure,crest syndrome symptoms,scleroderma skin

Digestive System Involvement In Scleroderma

diffuse scleroderma,scleroderma diagnosis,scleroderma face,morphea scleroderma,scleroderma disease,scleroma,sclerosis skin,morphea treatment,scleroderma renal crisis,what causes scleroderma,scleroderma rash,systemic scleroderma symptoms

Digestive System Involvement In Scleroderma

Background

While the most common cases of scleroderma would show different effects on the skin, it is followed by gastro-intestinal involvement that would account for 75 to 90% of all cases. Since the main symptom of systemic scleroderma would involve having limitations in the activities of the affected organs, people with gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma would experience mostly digesting problems that could interfere with their day-to-day life.

When the digestive system is involved in scleroderma, the walls of the affected area thicken as a result of it. With that, blood flow towards the affected organ is limited, thus limiting the functions of that organ. Persons with this can either have it in only one organ or more at the same time.

Who Can Have It?

There is no identified cause of scleroderma and with that; there is no accurate way of telling who can have it. Statistics however reported that it can happen to all people regardless of any classifications although it appears in some more than it does on others. Any form of scleroderma is more likely to appear in women than it is in men. It also appears usually between the ages of 30 and 60. It is inherent in the Native American Choctaw tribe, in African American Women and rarely occurs in Northern Asians.

Fortunately, most cases of scleroderma come in the mild form which would only affect the skin and although it can disable a patient, it tends not to be fatal most of the time. Some people however suffer from the severe form of it which is systemic sclerosis. Since this would affect organ functions by having the antibodies attack them, this is more fatal and quite difficult to handle.

How Is The Digestive System Affected By Scleroderma?

Scleroderma can affect organs in the digestive system just as it could affect any other organ. The weakening would usually begin in the esophagus then work its way down into the intestines. If the esophagus is affected by scleroderma, the patient will have difficulty having food pushed down which is a result of scleroderma interfering with peristalsis. After that, the next organ to be affected would usually be the stomach.

When scleroderma affects the stomach, this would usually involve digesting problems that could later result to further complications. This would happen especially when scleroderma would begin to develop in other digestive organs such as the intestines and the liver. While damages can be limited, effects of scleroderma cannot be reversed. However, treatment is possible.

How Can This Be Treated?

Scleroderma has no known cause and with that, there is no single cure that can reverse the effects of all cases of scleroderma. Treatment for scleroderma is case specific and the approach to treating it is more focused on limiting damage and relieving a patient from symptoms rather than attempting to completely remove scleroderma from a patient. Treatment can be in the form of medications, rehabilitation therapies or surgery which would depend on the case the patient is suffering.

This case of scleroderma is quite severe and could lead to a fatality however with careful medications; it is very possible for a case of gastro-intestinal involvement of scleroderma to be treated. Various medications such as anti-secretory agents, pro-motility agents and bacteria suppressing antibiotics have been proven to effectively treat some cases of gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma.

diffuse scleroderma,scleroderma diagnosis,scleroderma face,morphea scleroderma,scleroderma disease,scleroma,sclerosis skin,morphea treatment,scleroderma renal crisis,what causes scleroderma,scleroderma rash,systemic scleroderma symptoms

Gastro-intestinal Involvement in Scleroderma

reiter's syndrome,scleroderma,lupus,sarcoidosis,arthritis,rheumatoid arthritis,fibromyalgia,psoriasis,vitiligo,sjogren's syndrome,scleroderma life expectancy,scleroderma prognosis,scleroderma causes,scleroderma hands,limited scleroderma

Gastro-intestinal Involvement in Scleroderma

While the skin is the most affected organ in all cases of scleroderma, another one of the most affected organs are those that are found in the digestive system that would occur on around 75% to 85% of all cases. Patients with gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma would experience difficulty in their day to day lives as an effect brought about by scleroderma.

Scleroderma causes the walls of the affected organ in the digestive system to thicken, thus limiting the blood flow towards it. This in turn would limit the functions of the affected organ and would give rise to several problems which refer to the organ that is affected. Esophageal problems can occur in all forms of scleroderma, involvement with other organs in the digestive system such as the intestines, the liver and the stomach are only limited to systemic sclerosis.

Causes

There is no recognized cause of scleroderma, what is known is how it works. Scleroderma happens when a person’s antibodies would attack his or her own tissues, which is contradicting to its main purpose which is to protect them from harmful factors. This would in turn cause the affected area to thicken that would limit blood flow to it causing the normal function of the affected area to be dysfunctional, limited or completely dead.

Scleroderma would usually begin with the skin in the form of calcinosis or Raynaud’s phenomenon, symptoms which can be easily seen and felt in the skin. If the symptoms stop developing from that point, then that case is limited scleroderma however if it spreads to other organs, that case is systemic sclerosis and that could even get worse as it could still spread to other organs.

How Is This Diagnosed?

Diagnosis is mainly based on symptoms however; it is officially made after a series of medical tests. There are several medical tests that people with suspicions about it can undergo, the simplest in an x-ray of which the doctor can see how your digestive system is doing. For sever cases, a surgical biopsy is done. This would involve having the doctor take scrapings of the linings of the affected organ and having it examined under a microscope.

Another way of diagnosing gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma is through endoscopy or by having the doctor view your digestive system through a small camera. This will allow the doctor to see which areas are affected by the scleroderma and see how it has developed within. It is very important for the doctor to know accurate details about a patient’s condition, especially for gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma since it will be their basis on what treatment approach to follow.

Can This Be Treated?

A very important point that all people involved in scleroderma or all those who are concerned with it is that it is treatable. The thought of scleroderma having no known cause or no treatments in general would usually discourage a lot of people. Gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma is very much possible as long as it is diagnosed and treated as early as possible. If significant damage has already been inflicted, little can be done to reverse those effects.

The key to treatment of gastro-intestinal involvement in scleroderma is to have it diagnosed as early as possible, taking care of yourself and careful medical attention. Make sure that you and your doctor would help each other out in treating you of your condition.
reiter's syndrome,scleroderma,lupus,sarcoidosis,arthritis,rheumatoid arthritis,fibromyalgia,psoriasis,vitiligo,sjogren's syndrome,scleroderma life expectancy,scleroderma prognosis,scleroderma causes,scleroderma hands,limited scleroderma

Having The Kidneys Involved In Scleroderma

polymyositis,connective tissue disease,mixed connective tissue disease,rheumatoid arthritis symptoms,lupus disease,lupus causes,discoid lupus,wegener's granulomatosis,dermatomyositis,raynaud's,antiphospholipid syndrome,raynaud's phenomenon

Having The Kidneys Involved In Scleroderma

Description

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that mainly deals with connective tissues which are found at all parts of our body. Being an autoimmune disease, it is a disorder with the immune system that makes the antibodies attack the tissues instead of having them protect it. While most cases of scleroderma would show Raynaud’s phenomenon which are visible through the skin, a severe form of it would involve some limitations in organ functions.

One of the most affected areas when a patient is affected by scleroderma is the kidneys. In fact, it used to be the leading cause of death among scleroderma patients until a new class of drugs were made available by angiotensin converting enzyme or ACE inhibitors, which has changed the whole picture of cases of which the kidney would get involved in scleroderma.

How Does Renal Involvement In Scleroderma Develop?

The cause of scleroderma is not yet known, what is known is how it works. Scleroderma happens when a person’s immune system attacks its own tissues causing damage or the appearance of scar tissues on the affected area. If the kidneys are involved, the first involvement would be the constriction of blood vessels which are in the kidney. This is followed by scarring of the vessels thus making the surfaces thicker and limiting the functions of the kidney.

As a result of the thickening, blood flow is limited to the kidney. This in turn would cause the release of kidney hormones that could cause blood vessel constriction that could also impair the kidneys. From this point, there could be injury or a permanent dysfunction in some parts of the kidney. This constriction could also increase blood pressure and in worse case, could lead to heart failures.

How Can This Condition Be Managed?

Once scleroderma would develop and would start to affect organs, the damage can go on and on and could spread even further. When the damage is done, little can be done to reverse it. Considering that, it is much easier to prevent it rather than to cure it, that of which would go for all cases of scleroderma. The key for renal involvement in scleroderma is to have it treated as early as possible.

Renal involvement in scleroderma however could only happen to those who have the diffuse type, which is known as systemic sclerosis. If the case of scleroderma is limited or what we call as CREST, it is unlikely that the kidneys will get involved. With medical help, a healthy lifestyle and as well as taking care of yourself as much as you can, these are the best ways to manage a condition of scleroderma affecting the kidneys.

Can This Be Treated?

As of now, there is no known cause of treating scleroderma in general. Treatment is available but it is focused on limiting the damages done by scleroderma as well as treats symptoms rather than completely remove scleroderma from the patient. While that is at hand, you must remember that renal involvement in scleroderma is treatable as well as you follow some guidelines.

The key to having a condition as such cured is early detection, medical help and taking care of one’s self. With the help of a competent doctor along with the patient’s responsibility, everything should turn out right when it comes to managing renal involvement in scleroderma.
polymyositis,connective tissue disease,mixed connective tissue disease,rheumatoid arthritis symptoms,lupus disease,lupus causes,discoid lupus,wegener's granulomatosis,dermatomyositis,raynaud's,antiphospholipid syndrome,raynaud's phenomenon

Limited Scleroderma Or CREST

define lupus,sclero,neurosarcoidosis,connective tissue disorder,discoid lupus erythematosus,relapsing polychondritis,erythematosus,lupus pernio,scleredema,sclerosis meaning,vasculitis,crest syndrome

Limited Scleroderma Or CREST

Scleroderma happens when the body’s immune system begins attacking its own tissues instead of protecting them. This causes the affected area to thicken that in turn would limit blood flow and limit the organ’s function. Scleroderma can affect everyone but the most affected are women that are between the ages 30 and 50. This rarely happens among Northern Asians and in children and is inherent in African-American women and the Native American Choctaw tribe.

There are two main forms of scleroderma. These are systemic sclerosis which would affect two or more areas and is the more fatal form and CREST or limited scleroderma. Although limited scleroderma can be disabling, it is not very likely that it can cause death unless the condition will progress into something worse. CREST usually affects the lower arms and legs, the face and the neck and tends to progress much slower than systemic sclerosis.

What Are The Symptoms Of Crest?

CREST is an acronym for its major symptoms. C in crest stands for calcinosis which is characterized by calcium deposits forming under the skin mainly on the knees, elbows and fingers. Another symptom is Raynaud’s phenomenon which is one of the most common symptoms of any form on sclerosis. This usually begins by color changes, numbness and pain in the fingers and is caused when blood flow is limited towards the fingers.

Another common symptom of CREST is esophageal dysfunction. People with limited scleroderma often experience problems with their esophagus which makes swallowing difficult for them. They could also experience thickening in various parts of the body particularly the fingers, legs, chest, arms and legs. This condition is known as sclerodactyly. The last symptom is telangiectasia which is a collection of blood vessels on the surface of the skin.

What Causes It?

Crest happens when the body’s immune system would attack itself instead of protecting it causing numerous damages to the affected area. While this is understood, the cause of scleroderma is not clearly understood however, there are some factors that could play a role these would include genes. A person with defective genes is said to be more susceptible to scleroderma or some would say that scleroderma can be inherited.

Environmental factors could also cause scleroderma as unwanted factors in the environment such as bacteria and viruses are possible causes of it. It could also be the female hormones, since females are four times more likely to develop the illness than men are. While these may attempt to solve the unknown cause of scleroderma, none of them are proven yet and these are still theories.

How Does This Develop?

While the first signs of limited scleroderma just happens to your skin, it may make everyday living more difficult for you. However, the real pain starts if the condition would spread inside you affecting other organs. Some complications that would involve scleroderma are gastro-intestinal problems of which will make it more difficult for you to process food into waste, digital ulcers which happen when blood flow is restricted to the fingers and toes that in turn would cause ulcer.

Scleroderma can also lead to lung problems if the lungs are affected and as well as the kidneys. If any of these two organs are affected, that in turn could also cause heart problems. Other problems that are results of scleroderma are dental problems, arthritis, sicca syndrome and depression or anxiety.
define lupus,sclero,neurosarcoidosis,connective tissue disorder,discoid lupus erythematosus,relapsing polychondritis,erythematosus,lupus pernio,scleredema,sclerosis meaning,vasculitis,crest syndrome

Cardiac Involvement In Scleroderma

rheumatoid arthritis cure,rheumatoid arthritis diet,lupus arthritis,scleroderma pictures,juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,scleroderma definition,what is scleroderma,scleroderma foundation,how do you get lupus,cutaneous lupus,microscopic polyangiitis

Cardiac Involvement In Scleroderma

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease that is characterized by toughening most commonly in the skin and could also happen to other organs. The mild form of this known as morphea, although it can cripple its patients would tend not to be fatal. Another form of this which is systemic sclerosis, since it would affect the skin as well as would limit the functions of the affected organs could be fatal. As of now, there is no exact cause of this disease and most doctors would go by theories.

Scleroderma is found worldwide however; women are about four times as likely to have it more than men. This would also develop mostly between the ages of 30 and 60. The disease is quite rare as affecting only 14 out of every 1 million individuals worldwide. This disease also rarely affects children. This disease is quite evident among the native American Choctaw tribe and African-American females.

What Causes Scleroderma?

The cause of scleroderma still remains unknown, although medical experts have developed various theories on the causes of it. Some have said that it is largely genetic so if an individual has scleroderma, he puts his relatives at risk of having it. Others would say that it is environmental and is brought about by unwanted factors in the environment such as virus, bacteria and other similar factors. However, non of these theories are proven yet.

The result of this is that the immune system, instead of protecting the body would attack the tissues in the body causing the development of scar tissue on the affected areas. Although different cases of scleroderma would cause different symptoms, the most common ones would be the Raynaud’s phenomenon which would refer to the spasms of arteries supplying blood to the fingers, toes and face. For systemic scleroderma, this is coupled by limitation in the organ’s function.

How Is The Heart Involved In Scleroderma?

Scleroderma makes the tissues in your heart tougher than in turn would limit its functions. If the heart gets involved with scleroderma, then there will be limitations to its function. This is characterized by myocardial disease, arrhythmias or conduction system abnormalities. Even if it is not the heart that would get affected but rather the kidneys or lungs, that could still cause a lot of heart problems, the most common being hypertension. Being that, the heart is one of the most involved organs in scleroderma.

One who gets scleroderma should be expecting some heart problems since the heart is largely involved in it. Fortunately, this can be managed with the help of some doctors. Although there is still no guarantee that a patient would be completely free of scleroderma after medications, medications are made to help patients go by difficult symptoms that are brought to them by scleroderma.

How Is Heart Involvement In Scleroderma Managed?

There is no treatment for scleroderma instead, the approach to this is patient-specific and would depend on what the specific circumstances are. For heart involvement, the doctor would make use of medications such as calcium channel blockers, nifedipine, nicardipine and bosentan. For children who have it, the approach to treating them is a combination therapy of methotrexate, corticosteroids and cyclosporine.

If these would cause side effects, then different medications are used depending on what would suit the patient specifically. Patients with Raynaud’s should be aware that these medications could worsen their condition.
rheumatoid arthritis cure,rheumatoid arthritis diet,lupus arthritis,scleroderma pictures,juvenile rheumatoid arthritis,scleroderma definition,what is scleroderma,scleroderma foundation,how do you get lupus,cutaneous lupus,microscopic polyangiitis