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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is Scleroderma?

Hello... I read this publication several times a week and enjoy doing so and intend it very ingormative.. So when I saw the article on autoimmune I wanted to read more.. after going through the complete article of 16 different diseases I was very disappointed to see absolutely nothing about Scleroderma.. I have this disease and I find this a common occurence.. I know so many people with this disease and not a lot of information about it. It seems to always be overlooked and not discussed. Can you please help me to understand why. ..I have lost several very dear friends. Thank you
Fri, 27 Jul 2018
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

Scleroderma is a autoimmune disease which mainly affects skin, lungs and gastroinestinal tract. In skin, it causes thickening of skin and causes constriction of blood vessels of fingers and toes. As a result patient cannot flex his or her fingers and because of impaired blood supply, he/she may get fingertip ulcers and scars. Because of constriction of blood vessels, patient might encounter bluish discoloration of fingers, followed by redness and further followed by whitish discoloration. Coming to lungs, he/she will suffer from difficulty in breathing and lung functions will be decreased. Pulmonary hypertension may also occur. In Gastrointestinal tract, patient will encounter upper abdominal discomfort, gastroesophageal reflux disease. Common tests done are Antinuclear antibody testing, anti Scl 70 or anti topoisomerase testing, Chest CT scan, Pulmonary function tests, Barium swallow etc. Treatment involves vasodilators to improve blood circulation. Avoidance of smoking, caffeine. Anti reflux medications to improve gastroesophageal reflux. Corticosteroid lotion for reducing skin tightness. Drugs such as bosentan to reduce pulmonary hypertension.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
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What Is Scleroderma?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. Scleroderma is a autoimmune disease which mainly affects skin, lungs and gastroinestinal tract. In skin, it causes thickening of skin and causes constriction of blood vessels of fingers and toes. As a result patient cannot flex his or her fingers and because of impaired blood supply, he/she may get fingertip ulcers and scars. Because of constriction of blood vessels, patient might encounter bluish discoloration of fingers, followed by redness and further followed by whitish discoloration. Coming to lungs, he/she will suffer from difficulty in breathing and lung functions will be decreased. Pulmonary hypertension may also occur. In Gastrointestinal tract, patient will encounter upper abdominal discomfort, gastroesophageal reflux disease. Common tests done are Antinuclear antibody testing, anti Scl 70 or anti topoisomerase testing, Chest CT scan, Pulmonary function tests, Barium swallow etc. Treatment involves vasodilators to improve blood circulation. Avoidance of smoking, caffeine. Anti reflux medications to improve gastroesophageal reflux. Corticosteroid lotion for reducing skin tightness. Drugs such as bosentan to reduce pulmonary hypertension. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.