Scleroderma is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which normal tissue is replaced with dense tissue with additional collagen. Although it most often impacts the skin, scleroderma also can impact many different parts of the body including the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, muscles, and joints.
Scleroderma in its most intense form can be a life-threatening condition hence early diagnosis and treatment is necessary. If you have developed this autoimmune disorder you can meet the best Rheumatologist in Lahore.
Forms of scleroderma:
There are 2 main forms of scleroderma, localized and systemic.
Localized scleroderma:
The more common form of the disease, localized scleroderma, influences only a person’s skin, usually in only a few sites. It often arises in the shape of waxy patches or lines on the skin.
Systemic Scleroderma:
This is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin and internal organs. Systemic scleroderma can be broken down into two major types:
1- Diffuse scleroderma
2- Limited scleroderma
Symptoms:
In addition to the thickening of the skin, the following different symptoms may appear in a person with scleroderma:
- Swelling of the hands and feet
- Red spots on the skin
- Shortness of breath
- Pain and stiffness in the joints
- Constant cough
- Digestive and gastrointestinal issues
- Heartburn
- Difficulty swallowing
- Joint contractures
- Tight, mask-like facial skin
- Weight loss
- Tiredness
- Hair losing
Causes:
Researchers do not know the actual reason for scleroderma, but they guess that several aspects may contribute to the illness:
Genetic makeup
Genes can raise the chance for specific people to grow scleroderma and play a role in specifying the sort of scleroderma they have.
Environment
It is suspected that exposure to some environmental elements, such as viruses or chemicals, may start scleroderma.
Immune system changes
Irregular immune or inflammatory movement in your body begins cell modifications that induce the production of too much collagen.
Hormones
Females create most kinds of scleroderma more often than males. Experimenters imagine that hormonal dissimilarities between women and men might play a role in the illness.
Treatment:
Treatment aims to reduce symptoms, control the situation from getting more alarming, see and treat any difficulties such as pulmonary hypertension and support you to maintain the usage of the affected parts of the body.
Common remedies include:
- medication to enhance circulation
- medicines that lessen the movement of the immune system
- joint and muscle pains
- moisturizing impacted areas of skin
- different drugs to prevent pain, heartburn, and high blood pressure
If your symptoms are extreme, surgery may be needed. More recent treatments such as laser therapy and photodynamic therapy are presently being trialed,
There are many therapies and lifestyle changes that can support decrease the effect of scleroderma on your life.
Regular physiotherapy and lengthening activities may aid keep your muscles flexible and relax tight skin.
An occupational therapist can assist you to adapt to any exercise difficulties by recommending changes to your residence and advising you on a kit to make everyday life more comfortable.
Controlling high blood pressure is vital to ingest healthily exercising regularly and quitting smoking to keep blood pressure under control and enhance your circulation.
Diagnosis:
The diagnosis of scleroderma is not always effortless. Because it can influence different parts of the body such as the joints. If scleroderma is guessed, tests will be ordered to verify the diagnosis, These tests may form:
- Blood tests
- Gastrointestinal tests
- Kidney function
- Pulmonary function tests
- Electrocardiogram
- Echocardiogram
Management of scleroderma:
There are many stages a person with scleroderma can take to skillfully handle the disease. These stages consist of:
Exercise:
Exercise will not only support and enhance your overall bodily and spiritual well-being, but it will also aid keep your joints relaxed and improve circulation.
Joint protection:
When your joints hurt, avoid raising heavy things or acting assignments that may put a strain on them.
Skin protection:
Taking good precautions and care of your skin can be helpful not only for signs of the phenomenon but also in taking care of the dehydrated, stagnant patches of skin.
Diet:
Aside from ingesting healthy meals to get suitable amounts of vitamins and nutrients, it is crucial to eat foods that do not upset existing stomach issues.
Dental care:
Proper dental care is essential. Sjögren’s syndrome raises the chance of creating cavities and tooth decay.
Stress management:
Because the consequences of strain can play a role in lessening your blood flow, it is necessary to learn to control or lower stress. For further consultation, you can contact the best Rheumatologist in Karachi.
