Systemic sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that causes the exaggerated production of collagen, causing changes in the texture and appearance of the skin, which becomes more hardened.
In addition, in some cases, the disease can also affect other parts of the body, causing hardening of other important organs, such as the heart, kidneys and lungs. For this reason it is very important to start treatment, which, although it does not cure the disease, helps to delay its development and prevents the appearance of complications.
Systemic sclerosis has no known cause, but it is known that it is more common in women between 30 and 50 years old, and manifests itself in different ways in patients. Its evolution is also unpredictable, being able to evolve quickly and lead to death, or slowly, causing only minor skin problems.
Main symptoms
In the earliest stages of the disease, the skin is the organ most affected, beginning with the presence of more hardened and reddened skin, especially around the mouth, nose and fingers.
However, as it gets worse, systemic sclerosis can affect other parts of the body and even organs, generating symptoms such as:
- Joint pain; Difficulty walking and moving; Constant shortness of breath; Hair loss; Changes in intestinal transit, with diarrhea or constipation; Difficulty swallowing; Swollen belly after meals.
Many people with this type of sclerosis can also develop Raynaud's syndrome, in which the blood vessels in the fingers constrict, preventing the correct passage of blood and causing loss of color at the fingertips and discomfort. Understand more about what Raynaud's syndrome is and how it is treated.
How the diagnosis is made
Usually, the doctor may be suspicious of systemic sclerosis after observing the changes in the skin and the symptoms, however, other diagnostic tests such as X-rays, CT scans and even a skin biopsy should also be done to rule out other diseases and help confirm the condition. presence of systemic sclerosis.
Who is most at risk of having
The cause that leads to the excessive production of collagen that is at the origin of systemic sclerosis is not known, however, there are some risk factors such as:
- Being a woman; Having chemotherapy; Being exposed to silica dust.
However, having one or more of these risk factors does not mean that the disease will develop, even if there are other cases in the family.
How the treatment is done
Treatment does not cure the disease, however, it helps to delay its development and relieve symptoms, improving the person's quality of life.
For this reason, each treatment must be adapted to the person, according to the symptoms that appear and the stage of development of the disease. Some of the most used remedies include:
- Corticosteroids, such as Betamethasone or Prednisone; Immunosuppressants, such as Methotrexate or Cyclophosphamide; Anti-inflammatories, such as Ibuprofen or Nimesulide.
Some people may also have reflux and, in such cases, it is advisable to eat small meals several times a day, in addition to sleeping with the headboard raised and taking proton pump inhibiting drugs, such as Omeprazole or Lansoprazole, for example.
When there is difficulty walking or moving, it may also be necessary to do physical therapy sessions.
