– What You Need to Know

Scleroderma is a rare disease in which the skin gets hard and tight as pertaining to the connective tissues. The disease impacts more females than men, and it usually occurs between 30 and 50 years of age. There are some treatments that help to manage the symptoms of this disease.

The Signs and Symptoms of Scleroderma

Everybody who has scleroderma gets a tightened and hardened patch distribution all over the skin. The patches might be straight or oval lines. The size and the area of the skin patches differ by the type of the disease. The skin might be too shiny as it is tight, and the affected area might be difficult to move.

Raynaud’s Disease is also a sign of scleroderma. It results in the contraction of the blood vessels in the toes and fingers when there is cold temperature, or you are undergoing.

Scleroderma might result in a variety of GI symptoms that depend on the part of the tracts affected. For example, scleroderma in the esophagus may result in dysphagia or acid reflux.

Scleroderma also affects kidney, lung, and heart function. If it goes untreated, it can result in death.

The Causes of Scleroderma

When collagen happens to get overproduced or accumulates in the body tissues, then scleroderma occurs. Collagen is a fibrous protein that is the constituting material of all connective tissues of the body. This abnormal production of the protein has an unknown cause. However, our immune system plays a big role in it. Scleroderma is majorly a combination of different factors, including environmental triggers, genetics, and immune system issues.

The Treatment Options for Scleroderma

There are different medications prescribed for treating and managing scleroderma. This majorly includes ACE or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, which plays a role in dilating the blood vessels. This helps to manage Raynaud’s Disease. In systemic scleroderma, where your heart, GI tract, lungs, and kidneys are affected, you might be prescribed immune-suppressing drugs such as methotrexate, mycophenolate, and cyclophosphamide. These medications are not officially approved for treating scleroderma, but they can help manage the symptoms.

If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, telemedicine makes it possible for you to get the care you deserve. Schedule a virtual consultation with a Telakai Health online Provider and get on the road to recovery. Schedule your visit today.