Systemic Sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis is a rare chronic disease of unknown cause characterized by diffuse

fibrosis

 and vascular abnormalities in the skin, joints, and internal organs, especially the

esophagus

, lower gastrointestinal tract, lungs, heart, and kidneys. It can hinder digestive and respiratory functions and cause kidney failure.
Systemic scleroderma can sometimes become serious and life-threatening.
Symptoms

Fingers color changes

common

Thick skin on arm, wrist, forearm, or hand

  • In hand

or Thick skin on legs or feet

common

Fatigue

common

Enlarged fingers

  • In both hands

or Enlarged toes

  • In both feet

common

Difficulty moving fingers

common

Weight loss

common

Painful swallowing

or Acid reflux

  • Recurrent

  • Occurs or worsens after a meal

or Swallowing difficulties

  • Solids only, Foods and drinks

common

Joint pain

  • In fingers

  • At wrist

  • Knees

  • Elbows

  • Both sides of the body

  • Recurrent

  • Occurs or worsens when joint is used or stressed

or Pain at fingertip(s)

common

Difficulty breathing

  • Recurrent

  • Occurs or worsens with exertion

  • During sleep

  • Occurs when lying flat

common

Joint stiffness

  • Difficulty moving knee, Limited ankle movement, Difficulty moving wrist, Difficulty moving elbow

or Difficulty moving toes

common

Abdominal bloating

or Feel like vomiting

or Throwing up

or Alternation between diarrhea and constipation

or Strained voice

or Feeling full quickly

common

Itchy skin

common

Erectile dysfunction

  • Gradual onset

or Pain during sexual intercourse

common

Cough with mucus or without mucus

  • Dry

Decreased urine

or High blood pressure disease

or Urine with bubbles unrelated to speed of urination or bladder fullness

Irregular heartbeat

or Fainting

or Swollen neck vein

or Swollen belly

or Enlarged feet or ankle

  • In both feet or ankles

or Swelling in lower leg

  • In both lower legs

Muscle pain

Chest discomfort

  • Change in body position doesn't change the pain

  • Occurs or worsens with exertion

  • Center of the chest, Left side

Light spots of skin

Dark patches of skin

Thinning or loss of hair anywhere

High blood pressure

Risk factors

Lung cancer

Rheumatoid arthritis

Treatment
At present, there is no cure for systemic sclerosis, limited or diffuse. However, much can be done to help. The aims of treatment are: 1-To relieve symptoms. For the skin, moisturizers and stretching exercises help with dry or tight skin. Raynaud's phenomenon symptoms are reduced by keeping the hands warm - for example, by using heated gloves. Medicines that open up the arteries to bring more blood to the fingers can be used to improve the symptoms. 2-To prevent the condition from progressing, as much as possible: Treatments are used which suppress the body's immune system (because it is the immune system that is overactive in systemic sclerosis). 3-To detect and treat complications early. Regular monitoring is needed to check blood pressure, kidney function (with blood and urine tests) and lungs (which may need a scan). These tests may detect changes before any symptoms are noticed and early detection allows early treatment. 4-To minimise any disability. For example: If required, physiotherapists can advise on exercises to keep joints mobile and muscles strong.
Recommended specialist

If you have Systemic Sclerosis, then a visit to a rheumatologist is highly recommended.

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