scleroderma awareness ~B.W.S.G~

Derived from the Greek words “sclerosis” meaning hardness and “derma” meaning skin, scleroderma literally means hard skin. The name is therefore appropriate because one of its major symptoms is tight shiny skin. Scleroderma, which is often known as systemic sclerosis, is a progressive and chronic connective tissue disorder, and is often classified as a rheumatic disease. Some unknown factor triggers the over-production of collagen (body protein) causing thickening, hardening and scarring of the skin and other organs. Normally collagen keeps the skin soft, but the overproduction makes the affected tissue thick and hard. This, in turn, affects the amount of blood the small vessels carry to many parts of the body. Although scleroderma strikes every age, sex, and ethnic background, more than 80% of patients are females between the ages of 25 to 55.Scleroderma is thought to affect more people than Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, or Cystic Fibrosis. NB!!! At this time there is no cure for scleroderma. In most cases, localized scleroderma carries a good prognosis and patients have a normal life span. With diffuse scleroderma the severity varies widely so it is difficult to predict its course. It generally follows one of two paths: it is either acute and rapidly progresses into a life threatening condition or it follows a very slow course. The most critical period for systemic sclerosis is within the first years of onset. This is when there is the highest risk for rapid progression and the development of serious complications, particularly if the lungs, heart, or kidneys are affected. There is no known cure for scleroderma but some features of scleroderma may improve over time even without treatment. However it has been noted that complete spontaneous improvement is very rare.

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awareness scleroderma ~B.W.S.G~

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