Can scleroderma affect muscles?
Scleroderma is a poorly understood illness that causes widespread hardening of the skin, especially on the hands and face. It also can damage the lungs, heart, kidneys, digestive tract, muscles and joints.
Does scleroderma cause muscle tightness?
Pain, stiffness and achiness are common problems in Scleroderma. Almost all people with Scleroderma are familiar with pain due to Raynaud’s or finger ulcerations. Many more experience joint, nerve, and muscle pain.
What is the life expectancy for someone with scleroderma?
People who have localized scleroderma may live an uninterrupted life with only minor symptom experiences and management. On the other hand, those diagnosed with an advanced and systemic version of the disease have a prognosis of anywhere from three to 15 years.
What is the most serious complication of scleroderma?
Kidney function: When scleroderma affects the kidneys, the result can be an increase in blood pressure as well as the leakage of protein into the urine. In its most serious form (called scleroderma renal crisis), a rapid increase in blood pressure may occur, resulting in kidney failure.
Does scleroderma affect the legs?
Tight, hardened skin. In limited scleroderma, skin changes typically affect only the lower arms and legs, including fingers and toes, and sometimes the face and neck. Skin can look shiny from being pulled taut over underlying bone. It may become difficult to bend your fingers or to open your mouth.
Is scleroderma worse than lupus?
— Worse than in rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) have worse health-related quality of life than patients with other systemic rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a Korean study found.
What causes scleroderma flare ups?
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.
Can scleroderma turn into lupus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is an autoimmune condition, which causes inflammation and damage to the joints, muscles, kidneys and other organs. Around 20% of people with scleroderma also have lupus as a cross-over condition or ‘overlap syndrome’.
Is sugar bad for scleroderma?
Scleroderma causes digestive issues and ignites inflammatory effects on the body. Gluten, sugar, and dairy promote inflammation within the body, which causes achy joints and fatigue.