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Scleroderma literally means "hard skin." It is a disease of the vascular immune systems and a severe connective tissue disorder that results in hardening of multiple organs. Collagen, the binding material that holds the body together, is a protein found in connective tissue, cartilage, skin and bone. In scleroderma, some as yet unknown factor triggers the over-production of collagen causing some thickening and hardening of the skin and other organs. The small blood vessels are also affected and cannot supply sufficient blood to many parts of the body. |
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Scleroderma can be difficult to diagnose. There may be slowly evolving skin changes or malfunction of an organ. First symptoms may include non-specific complaints such as weakness, weight loss/gain, fatigue, vague muscle pain, joint or bone aching, arthritis, Raynaud's phenomenon, stiffness of the hands, altered pigmentation (light/dark discolouration of the skin), unexplained swelling, thickening of the skin, telangiectases, blood pressure problems, shortness of breath, loss of hair, swallowing difficulties, heartburn or lung, heart, intestinal or kidney problems. |
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No one knows what causes scleroderma but there are many theories being studied which involve different systems of the body: the immune system, the vascular system and conective tissue metabolism. |
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Scleroderma is found in all countries and ethnic groups, with patients ranging from infants to the elderly. Symptoms usually appear between the ages of thirty and fifty. Women in early and middle age develop scleroderma approximately 82% more frequently than men in the same age group, leading some researchers to believe that some aspects of the disease may be hormonally related, but this has not yet been proven scientifically. |
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While seemingly rare, scleroderma is far more prevalent than musclar dystrophy, multiple sclerosis and a host of other better known diseases. |
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Scleroderma, as with any chronic disease is cause for emotional involvement. From the first frustrations of diagnosis, to coping with a long term illness which may drastically alter the lifestyle, the sufferer encounters stress. Depression is often a natural reaction to chronic disease, so emotional support is a major factor in the treatment of scleroderma. It must be realized that scleroderma is a disease of many symptoms which can vary in intensity in a short time. |
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While there is no specific treatment used for scleroderma, research and studies are being conducted at medical centers throughout the world. The studies allow physicians to diagnose scleroderma more readily and we hope that a cure will soon be found. |
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Contributions can be made to: |
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Scleroderma Society of Canada 95 Woodfield Road SW Calgary, Alberta T2W 5K5 |
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(If requested, income tax receipts will be issued for donations over ten dollars.) |
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The guardian angels of life sometimes fly so high as to be beyond our sight, but they are always looking down upon us. -John Paul Richter |
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PLEASE NOTE: The authors of this web page strive to keep the content complete and correct; we are not a medical authority, nor do we claim to have medical knowledge. In all cases we recommend that you consult your own physician regarding any course of treatment or medicine. |
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[Memberships] [Contact Us] [Symptoms] [News] [the Board] �Scleroderma Society of Canada, Home page, 2000-2004. Last Update: rdg - Feb 08/04 - Email: [email protected] |
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