Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of conditions that all involve inflammation and damage to joints.  Patients suffering from arthritis complain of pain in their joints which is caused by inflammation.  Arthritis is in the same family as Scleroderma and both are considered autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune Disease

Normally the immune system searches through the body and destroys anything that is invading the body and shouldn’t be there: example viruses.   When this system breaks down and the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue the result is an autoimmune disease.  Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease.

Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the pressure the blood puts on the interior walls of your arteries.  During each heartbeat blood pressure varies the maximum reading is called systolic and the minimum reading is called diastolic pressure.  High blood pressure is called hypertension.  Persons with Scleroderma should monitor their blood pressure regularly as hypertension can be a sign of complications.

Calcinosis

Calcinosis is the formation of calcium deposits in soft tissue.  These calcium deposits are hard small chalky lumps that form under the skin.  Persons with scleroderma often get calcinosis around the fingers or on the forearms.  These calcium deposits can rupture through the skin oozing a chalky white material.  These ruptured sites sometimes turn into ulcers.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein that is found in the flesh and connective tissue of mammals.  In humans collagen represents about 30% of our bodies protein and is the main component of our connective tissue.  People with Scleroderma produce too much collagen which replaces healthy tissue and therefore compromises the normal functioning of the tissue.

Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids are a group of medications that are prescribed to persons with Scleroderma to treat pulmonary fibrosis, itchy skin and joint pain.  Examples of corticosteroids are Prednisone and Medrol.

Diffuse Scleroderma

Diffuse Scleroderma is a type of Scleroderma that involves widespread thickening of the skin of the arms, legs, face and trunk.  Diffuse Scleroderma also involves one or more of the major organs, and is considered more severe than limited scleroderma.

Digital Ulcers

Digital ulcers are skin sores that most often occur on your fingers, but are also reported on toes and joints.  These ulcers are extremely painful and are difficult to heal.  They occur because there is limited circulation to these areas

Esophagus

The Esophagus is a muscular tube in which food passes from the pharynx (throat) to the stomach.  People suffering from Scleroderma can have troubles with their esophagus losing its flexibility and therefore causing heartburn and difficulties swallowing.

Esophageal Dysfunction

The disease affects the flexibility of the esophagus that becomes rattled with scar tissue.  This causes the esophagus to be less mobile and less able to close.  This can make it difficult to swallow and it also allows stomach acids to come up into the throat resulting in heartburn.

Generalized Scleroderma

Generalized Scleroderma is also called Systemic Scleroderma or Systemic Sclerosis.  Generalized Scleroderma affects connective tissue in numerous parts of the body including internal organs.  There are two forms of generalized scleroderma, Limited and Diffuse.

Limited Scleroderma

Limited Scleroderma is also referred to as CREST Syndrome.  In Limited Scleroderma the skin thickening is less extensive than in the Diffuse form and does not involve the trunk.

Linear Scleroderma

Linear Scleroderma is a form of Localized Scleroderma.  The skin thickening occurs in a line in areas as the face, legs and trunk.  The line of hard skin extends deep down into the bones and muscles.

Localized Scleroderma

Scleroderma is considered localized when it affects the skin and spares the internal organs.  There are two forms, Morphea and Linear.

Methotrexate

Methotrexate is an anti-folate drug that is used to treat a number of different diseases.  Methotrexate inhibits the metabolism of folic acid and for those with Scleroderma it suppresses the immune response.  This helps slow down the over-production and deposit of collagen in the body.

Morphea

Morphea is a form of Localized Scleroderma.  Hard, round or oval patches develop on the upper layer of the skin.  These thickened patches of skin tend to be white with reddish area around them.  Morphea does not impact muscles or bones.

NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug)

Are drugs that have analgesic (pain killer) and antipyretic (fever reducing) effects and are anti-inflammatory (they reduce inflammation).  They are classified as non-steroidal to distinguish themselves from steroids which can have similar effects.  They are prescribed to persons with Scleroderma to help reduce joint pain by reducing the inflammation around the joints.

Penicillamine

Penicillamine is a drug that is a metabolite of penicillin however it has no antibiotic properties.  It is prescribed to Scleroderma patients because it may inhibit collagen from cross-linking.  This slows down the over-production and deposition of collagen in the body.

Pulmonary Fibrosis

Pulmonary fibrosis is the scarring and damage done to lung tissue.  This reduces lung capacity as well as lung function, causing those suffering to feel out of breath or have a chronic cough.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is an increase in pressure of the pulmonary artery which carries blood to the lungs.  This causes the right side of the heart to have to pump harder to get the oxygenated blood to the lungs.  Persons with Pulmonary hypertension feel tired, out of breath and sometimes complain of chest pain.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s Phenomenon is caused by blood vessels in the extremities spasming which decreases circulation to the area causing it to turn white and then blue.  For people suffering from Scleroderma this is often one of the first symptoms to express itself.  Keeping extremities warm can help.

Sclerodactyly

Sclerodactyly is the hardening and tightening of the skin on the fingers.  This makes it difficult to move finders and they curve into a bent position.

Sjogrens Syndrome

Sjogrens Syndrome is dryness in the eyes and or mouth.  Persons suffering from Sjogrens Syndrome should try to stay hydrated.

Telangactasia

Telangactasia are the small red spots that can appear on the surface of the skin of those with Scleroderma.  This is caused by damaged blood vessels.  These have been found on the fingers, palms, face, lips and tongue.

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