Can scleroderma cause chest pain?

Can scleroderma cause chest pain?

Chest pain in people with Scleroderma is usually felt as an ache. It is usually caused by muscle and joint problems or reflux instead of lung problems.

Does Morphea affect the lungs?

Conclusions Pulmonary involvement is found more frequently in the generalized form of morphea. The patient that resulted positive for ANA have a higher risk for developing pulmonary involvement. Anyway the pulmonary involvement in morphea is moderate.

What does scleroderma do to the lungs?

Scleroderma causes a restrictive ventilatory defect (small lungs) secondary to an inflammatory process in the lung alveoli (air sacs). This process, left untreated, leads to fibrosis of the lung tissue (a fibrosing alveolitis) that interferes with normal gas exchange from the air to the blood.

What causes skin thickening?

Scleroderma is an uncommon condition that results in hard, thickened areas of skin and sometimes problems with internal organs and blood vessels. Scleroderma is caused by the immune system attacking the connective tissue under the skin and around internal organs and blood vessels.

Can scleroderma affect breathing?

Many people with scleroderma have some form of changes to their lungs. It is possible to get one, or even both, of these conditions. Or you may get neither. Shortness of breath or fatigue is common in scleroderma.

Can scleroderma affect your heart?

The heart is one of the major organs involved in scleroderma. Cardiac involvement can be manifested by myocardial disease, conduction system abnormalities, arrhythmias, or pericardial disease.

How common is morphea?

Morphea is a skin condition that involves a patch or patches of discolored or hardened skin on the face, neck, hands, torso, or feet. The condition is rare and thought to affect less than 3 out of 100,000 people.

What were your first symptoms of scleroderma?

Symptoms of scleroderma may include:

• Thickening and swelling of the fingers.
• Pale fingers that may become numb and tingle when exposed to cold or stress, known as Raynaud’s phenomenon.
• Joint pain.
• Taut, shiny, darker skin on large areas, which can cause problems with movement.

What causes scleroderma to flare up?

Research suggests that, in some people, scleroderma symptoms may be triggered by exposure to certain viruses, medications or drugs. Repeated exposure — such as at work — to certain harmful substances or chemicals also may increase the risk of scleroderma. Immune system problems.

How do you treat skin thickening?

CO2 laser. This is the preferred and most common method of treating thickening skin, Cheung says. A doctor can use the powerful laser to shave down the bumps caused by thickening skin.