Medical Weblog. Lots of resources and information

COLLAGEN DISEASES – PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS

Scleroderma or Progressive Systemic Sclerosis is another of the collagen diseases. It is characterised by an increase in the collagen fibres of connective tissue which leads to obliteration of small arteries.

It usually starts in the skin but may later spread to other organs. The digestive tract, the lungs, the kidneys and the heart may all be involved.

The cause of this disorder, like SLE, is thought to be an auto-immune disease. Occasionally it may have an acute onset with rapid progression to an early death, but, more commonly, it is a slowly progressive disorder.

Involvement of the peripheral arteries may lead to the condition known as Raynaud’s Phenomenon, where the hands and feet become cold and blue and over-sensitive to cold.

When the gullet or oesophagus is involved, the scarring causes obstruction and difficulty in swallowing.

Treatment is unsatisfactory and cortisone is of little benefit.

Polyarteritis Nodosa differs from the other collagen diseases in that it is rare and affects males three times as commonly as females. It may occur at any age.

*264/71/1*

Related Posts:

• VITAMIN C DEFICIENCY: SYMPTOMS OF SCURVY
• VITAMIN C: HISTORY OF VITAMIN C
• NUTRITION FOR PREADOLESCENT AND ADOLESCENT YOUTH FOOD SELECTION AND HABITS
• THE AIROLA DIET: COMPLEMENTING YOUR BASIC HEALTH-BUILDING FOODS WITH MILK
• CHILD’S HEALTH/SKIN DISORDERS: ABRASIONS
• SENIOR CITIZEN SEX EDUCATION: THE MOST OFTEN ASKED SENIOR SEX QUESTIONS
• YOUR MARITAL HEALTH/WIVES’ SEXUALITY: TYPES OF “SEXUAL” WIFE
• THE DESEXUALIZATION OF THE AMERICAN MARRIAGE/WAY TO LEAVE YOUR LOVING: “IF THIS IS SATURDAY, WE’LL PROBABLY DO IT” – DOCTOR’S PRACTISE
• OSTEOPOROSIS – HORMONES
• BED-WETTING – PSYCHOTHERAPY