Scleroderma Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

An official definition of Scleroderma states that it is an autoimmune disease associated with the connective tissues. It refers to the developments matched together. However, the level of complications and the signs are different for different people. Scleroderma is quite dangerous is it may influence various necessary parts of the organism. Those are human heart, kidneys, and lungs. To translate it directly, the disease means “hard skin.” The connective tissue starts increasing untypically. It impacts different organs.

It is impossible to name the main cause of Scleroderma accurately. Thanks to the numerous studies, it is possible to say that certain genes may take part in passing the predisposition to this disease. Another important factor to consider is the environment. In the end, the immune system activates. It harms the internal lining of the small blood vessels. Such activation also does damage to the tissues. A consequence is the appearance of a scar tissue as well as the storage of collagen, which is abnormal and not good at all.

The signs depend on the type of this disease. Their complexity also depends on the external/internal involvement of the patient. One of the organs is attacked most of all: blood vessels, kidneys, bowels, or lungs. This disease has an impact on the body’s surface in the shape of ongoing inflammation and irritation. A patient can notice his skin turning too sensitive, itchy, and painful. Besides, it turns red. In the end, a skin may harden. Most of the time, human limbs and face suffering. It leads to the drop in movement.

It is time to list some of the potential risk factors. Due to the fact the exact causes of Scleroderma are unknown, it is difficult to decide on the risk factors as well. Perhaps, the mix of the exposures to various environmental factors may provoke the disease.

Another possible risk factor is the particular viruses. In most cases, genetically meant individuals suffer from this health condition. The consequences might be a blood vessel injury or a collagen storage. Both consequences are dangerous.

The consequences of Scleroderma vary from soft to rather dangerous. In rare cases, the outcomes may be fatal. The patients are unable to perform motions easily as they used before. The problem is the limitation of movements. The feeling of swelling will not leave for a while. A skin hardens. The patient loses the ability to display emotions and move as the extremities, face, and mouth become almost disabled. Joints and muscles also suffer from the same problem.

In some cases, doctors call this health condition Raynaud’s disease. The potential outcomes include gangrene and pits in the flesh as well. In some cases, the situation gets critical enough to implement an amputation of the limbs or other attacked organs. The patients experience severe issues with circulation. In separate cases, these people are running out of breath as the lungs are damaged too. A high blood pressure is present.

What do physicians need to diagnose Scleroderma properly? As far as the disease may take many shapes and influence various organs, it is hard to define it accurately. The first stage is a detailed physical test anyway. It includes the blood examination, which goal is to scan the blood for the particular antibodies.

These antibodies are the products of the human immune system, which stops functioning properly. A doctor will require a tiny tissue sample to discover abnormalities (if any). Breathing exams are another good way to check. Finally, a physician may offer a CT scan of lungs or an echocardiogram. The last thing checks the heart’s health.