Scleroderma & Joint Pain
Scleroderma, a rheumatic disease of the connective tissues, can be painful and is often difficult to treat. It affects women more often than men, and symptoms typically appear between the ages of 30 and 50.
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Identification
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Scleroderma consists of several related disorders that have similar symptoms. It is characterized by an accumulation of excess tissue and inflammation. Pain may range from mildly uncomfortable to debilitating.
Symptoms
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Common symptoms include joint pain, fatigue, stiffness of the feet and hands, discoloration of the skin, difficulty swallowing, skin thickening, skin tightness, dry mucous membranes, calcium deposits in the skin and Raynaud's phenomenon (increased sensitivity to stress and cold).
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Systemic
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Systemic scleroderma affects the joints, muscles, blood vessels, kidneys, heart and lungs. Pain in the joints can be severe. Systemic scleroderma is considered the most dangerous form of the disease and is the focus of the Scleroderma Research Foundation.
Diffuse
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Diffuse scleroderma has a rapid and severe onset and an early inflammatory phase. This type of scleroderma can cause pain of the joints, joint swelling, weight loss, chronic fatigue, loss of appetite and skin changes.
Potential
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Scleroderma can lead to serious skin involvement, organ damage, digestive tract problems and heart failure. There is no cure, and the consequences can be fatal. Early detection and treatment are keys to managing this condition and learning to live with it.
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