Scleroderma Lung Disease

Scleroderma is a group of diseases which are rare and progressive. It causes skin and connective tissues to tighten and harden. The two types of scleroderma are localized, which only affects skin, and systemic, which also affects internal organs such as the lungs.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of scleroderma include swollen fingers and hands, tight skin on hands and face, and shiny looking skin. Other symptoms include acid reflux, and pain, numbness or color changes in fingers and toes.

Causes

• Scleroderma is caused by too much collagen in body tissues. According to the Mayo Clinic, "Collagen is a fibrous type of protein that makes up your body's connective tissues, including your skin." The excess collagen is produced when the immune system turns on the body.

Risks

• The risk of developing scleroderma is greater for females and Native and African Americans. Other risk factors include chemotherapy drugs, paint thinner and other industrial solvents, and silica dust found in coal mines.

Treatment

• Treatment includes blood pressure medicines to dilate blood vessels, drugs to suppress the immune system, physical and occupational therapy to improve strength and mobility, surgery to amputate gangrene infected fingers, and lung transplant.

Complications

• Complications of scleroderma lung disease include scarring of lung tissue which reduces lung function, limited ability to breathe, inability to exercise, and high blood pressure in lung arteries.