Background
Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease which is mainly
characterized as the development of scar tissue in various parts of the body.
This is a result of damages caused when antibodies in the immune system attack
the body’s tissues, which is contrary to its purpose of protecting the body
from harmful substances. While the most common body part which is affected by
scleroderma is the skin, the lungs are also quite commonly affected
constituting about 80% of all cases of scleroderma.
Scleroderma lung disease and all the other complications
brought about by it has emerged as the leading cause of fatalities in all cases
of scleroderma. Considering that, everyone who has scleroderma should not take
lung involvement lightly and should seek immediate medical attention. Lung
involvement can occur in either limited or diffuse scleroderma, thus all
patients with scleroderma should be aware of what could happen.
How Are The Lungs Involved In Scleroderma?
There is no known cause of scleroderma. What is known is
only how scleroderma works and that it can affect a lot of organs including the
lungs. Scleroderma usually starts off with the skin or the joints which called
as calcinosis or Raynaud’s phenomenon. If the case goes worse, then scleroderma
would begin spreading within the body. If it gets to the lungs, then that would
be the beginning of lung involvement in scleroderma.
The first visible signs of scleroderma lung disease would be
if you show the primary symptoms of scleroderma which is found on the skin and
followed by shortness of breath and constant dry coughing without mucus. This
in turn could bring about pulmonary hypertension and as well as many other lung
diseases other than scleroderma.
No comments:
Post a Comment