Disturbance in the development of connective tissue leads to its densification and some hardening. This process is called systemic scleroderma and is characterized by a gradual defeat of small blood vessels, the epidermis, as well as most internal organs.
Systemic scleroderma disease
For unknown reasons, women suffer about 7 times more often than men from this disease, and systemic scleroderma occurs mainly in adulthood.
The disease is characterized by a slow development with alternating modification of tissues in the body, from the skin to the kidneys, the heart and lungs.
Systemic scleroderma - causes
Some doctors suggest that this ailment is provoked by autoimmune diseases and genetic predisposition. In addition to these versions, the following risk factors are noted:
- professional activities related to work in the workplace where strong vibrations occur;
- frequent or prolonged hypothermia;
- infectious diseases affecting the nervous system;
- pathology of vascular wall development;
- insufficient blood circulation in the tissues.
Systemic scleroderma - symptoms
The clinical course of the disease has such symptoms:
- sensation of coldness in the fingers of the hands, their pallor, the appearance of rare aching pains ( Raynaud's disease );
- edema of the limbs with a gradual hardening of the skin on them;
- pallor of the face;
- pain in the joints and muscles, resembling arthritic or rheumatoid;
- decreased mobility of hands and feet;
- kidney failure;
- pain syndrome in the heart, lungs, peritoneum;
- digestive disorders, constipation;
- dyspnea;
- arrhythmia .
Systemic scleroderma - diagnosis
Because of the similarity of the above-described symptoms with other diseases, it is rather difficult to detect an ailment, since many types of research are required. First of all, attention is drawn to the external signs - pallor of the skin, the modification of facial features (it becomes like a fixed mask with thin lips), the fineness of the hands with thickened fingernails and phalanges of fingers.
Further, a detailed blood test is performed to identify inflammatory processes, an immunogram, an X-ray examination of the internal organs to detect the degree of their lesion, and an electrocardiogram.
Scleroderma systemic - prognosis
Without establishing the exact causes of the disease, it can not be cured, so the pathology becomes chronic and eventually leads to disability of the patient.
Systemic scleroderma in acute form has an unfavorable prognosis, only a small number of patients manage to live longer than 2 years. With proper therapy, it is possible to slow the progression of the disease slightly and prolong this period to 5-7 years.
Systemic scleroderma - treatment and a new direction in this field
To alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of human life, an integrated approach to treatment is used:
- antifibrotic preparations;
- anti-inflammatory corticosteroid hormones;
- restorative medications;
- immunosuppressors;
- Physiotherapy (mud applications, pine baths, radio wave procedures);
- massotherapy;
- gymnastics.
At the moment, extensive research and experiments on
Systemic scleroderma - treatment with folk remedies
In alternative medicine it is recommended to take decoctions of vasodilating herbs - hawthorn, St. John's wort, motherwort, oregano, burdock, clover and calendula instead of tea.
In addition, the compress helps relieve pain from freshly squeezed aloe juice, which should be applied to affected areas every day for 20-30 minutes.