Systemic scleroderma: causes, symptoms, prognosis
Among the majority of collagenoses, systemic scleroderma is the least common. This disease has long attracted the attention of clinicians, but was first described only in the 19th century. For a long time, it was generally considered rare, and only after the 50s of the 20th century did scleroderma reports become numerous. They also strengthened the idea of it as a polysyndromic disease, in which internal organs are also involved in the pathological process.
Systemic scleroderma: etiology
There are several factors provoking the disease. It can be both physical and mental trauma; hypothermia; endocrine disorders; additional diseases developing on the background of the main and aggravating its course. It is now accepted that scleroderma is infectious and allergic in nature. In this disease, the functions of the nervous and endocrine systems are disturbed, and an immune restructuring of the body occurs.
Systemic scleroderma: pathogenesis
Changes occurring in this disease are associated with increased collagen formation in the skin. In the early stages, the vascular wall is affected. This change is vegetative-neurotic. An important place in the mechanism of nucleation of scleroderma is damage to the elements of the cells of the connective tissue. The prevalence of the disease is small, although it can occur at any age.
Systemic scleroderma: symptoms
This disease is characterized by the following type of patient: the face is motionless, its features are pointed, the lips are too thin, and the mouth is like “gathered into a pouch”. Skin changes occur at an early stage of scleroderma. Multiple or single limited lesions appear on the trunk, limbs and face. They may have a strip-like or round-oval shape, often symmetrical. In parallel with these changes, vascular disorders develop, articular and muscular pain appears, and body temperature rises. The skin acquires an uneven color, it becomes dry, its surface vessels expand, the horny layer of brushes thickens.All of the above changes are accompanied by diseases and some internal organs. The most vulnerable are the heart, kidneys, blood vessels, organs of digestion and respiration. Scleroderma runs for a long time and hard. Often the disease progresses rapidly, developing heart or kidney failure.
Systemic scleroderma: prognosis
Even at this stage of rapid development, medicine is able to influence only the symptoms of the disease, but it still cannot identify and eliminate the cause of its occurrence. The prognosis of scleroderma depends on the nature and stage of the lesion of various internal organs, but even timely and adequately treated treatment only slows the progression of scleroderma and improves the quality of human life. Gradually, the ability to work is still lost and the patient becomes disabled.
Systemic scleroderma: treatment
Fixed assets in the fight against the disease are enzymatic, hormonal and inflammatory drugs. They are used in combination with a vitamin complex, antihistamines, physiotherapy and physical exercises that facilitate joint mobility.