Although scleroderma is a disease that mainly affects the skin, it is a chronic disease that can affect many vital organs. As with most connective tissue diseases, the disease is more common in women. When the disease is not treated, it can cause death with serious organ involvement.
What are the Complaints of Scleroderma Patients?
The first finding of the disease is the yellowing and bruising in the hands and feet, which is called raynoud’s sign, in the cold. These complaints begin months or years before the onset of the disease. Similar complaints may occur in situations such as stress other than cold. Skin thickening and hardening symptoms develop months and years after Raynoud’s sign. Forehead wrinkles begin to disappear, lines around the lips, thinning of the lips, sores on the fingertips may begin to appear.
Internal organ involvement of the disease progresses insidiously. Especially heart and lung involvement is of great importance. Cough, increasing shortness of breath, palpitation are the important findings.
How is the Diagnosis of Scleroderma Disease?
In people with fully established disease, the diagnosis can be made when the patient enters the examination room. However, in cases that have come earlier, the capillaroscopy examination, in which we evaluate the patient’s statements, examination findings and nail beds, will be diagnostic. In the majority of patients, blood tests can help in the diagnosis.
How is the disease treated?
In patients with scleroderma, it is necessary to determine the organs involved for treatment. A very good physical examination is required for this. Apart from this, every patient must have tomography, echocardiography film, respiratory tests for tests, heart and lung evaluations. Treatment is arranged according to the findings to be obtained from here. The patient is prescribed drugs for their long-term use. In addition to the initial treatment of the disease, follow-up is of great importance. A rheumatologist should constantly monitor blood tests and other tests.
In addition to drug treatments, general recommendations must be made to patients. General recommendations such as absolute protection from the cold, protection from the sun and quitting smoking are given.
