National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on Scleroderma is the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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National Institutes of Health
Scleroderma
Also called: Circumscribed scleroderma, Dermatosclerosis, Morphea, Systemic sclerosis
Scleroderma means hard skin. It is a group of diseases that cause abnormal growth of connective tissue. Connective tissue is the material inside your body that gives your tissues their shape and helps keep them strong. In scleroderma, the tissue gets hard or thick. It can cause swelling or pain in your muscles and joints.
Symptoms of scleroderma include
- Calcium deposits in connective tissues
- Raynaud's phenomenon, a narrowing of blood vessels in the hands or feet
- Swelling of the esophagus, the tube between your throat and stomach
- Thick, tight skin on your fingers
- Red spots on your hands and face
No one knows what causes scleroderma. It is more common in women. It can be mild or severe. Doctors diagnose scleroderma using your medical history, a physical exam, lab tests, and a skin biopsy. There is no cure, but various treatments can control symptoms and complications.
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
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Start Here
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What Is Scleroderma?
(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
- Also available in Spanish
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What Is Scleroderma?
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For You
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Overviews
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Handout on Health: Scleroderma(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
- Scleroderma(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- Scleroderma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis)(American College of Rheumatology) - PDF
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Handout on Health: Scleroderma
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Antinuclear Antibodies (ANA)(American College of Rheumatology)
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Treatment
- Current Treatments Available for Scleroderma Patients(Scleroderma Research Foundation)
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Coping
- Coping with Scleroderma(Scleroderma Foundation)
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Disease Management
- Tips for Living with Scleroderma(Scleroderma Research Foundation)
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Specific Conditions
- Limited Scleroderma (CREST Syndrome)(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Morphea(American Osteopathic College of Dermatology)
- Morphea(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Related Issues
- Dental Care in Scleroderma(Scleroderma Foundation) - PDF
- Pulmonary Hypertension in Scleroderma(Scleroderma Foundation) - PDF
- Risk Factors for Scleroderma(Scleroderma Research Foundation)
- Scleroderma and Sexuality(Scleroderma Foundation) - PDF
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Scleroderma, Localized(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Scleroderma, Systemic(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Scleroderma, Localized
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Genetics
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Genetics Home Reference: Systemic scleroderma(National Library of Medicine)
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Genetics Home Reference: Systemic scleroderma
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Research
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Mechanism, Potential Therapy for Scleroderma Lung Disease Uncovered(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Scientists Identify Agent That Protects against Organ-Damaging Fibrosis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Scleroderma(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases)
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Mechanism, Potential Therapy for Scleroderma Lung Disease Uncovered
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Clinical and echocardiographic correlations of exercise-induced pulmonary hypertension in systemic...
- Article: Mucin 5B promoter polymorphism is associated with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis...
- Article: Epidemiology and risk factors for pulmonary hypertension in systemic sclerosis.
- Scleroderma -- see more articles
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Dictionaries/Glossaries
- Glossary of Scleroderma Terms(Scleroderma Foundation)
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Directories
- Geographic Membership Directory(American College of Rheumatology)
- Support Groups(Scleroderma Foundation)
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Organizations
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Children
- Juvenile Scleroderma(Scleroderma Foundation) - PDF
- Localized Scleroderma (Juvenile)(American College of Rheumatology)
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Patient Handouts
- Collagen vascular disease
- Also available in Spanish
- Scleroderma
- Also available in Spanish
- Swallowing problems
- Also available in Spanish
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You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
