Classified as both a connective tissue and rheumatic disease, scleroderma involves the abnormal growth of connective tissue, which supports the skin and internal organs. Used as an umbrella term for various disorders, scleroderma shows up in different forms with a symptom or more linked to each various form.

Experts believe scleroderma may be caused by a number of different sources from genetic make up and abnormal immune or inflammatory activity to environmental triggers and hormones.

Scleroderma Symptoms include;

• Arthritis

• Body/muscle pain

• Bone aching or pain joints

• Weight loss

• General fatigue

• Raynaud's phenomenon

• Stiffness of hands and feet

• Discoloration of skin

• Shortness of breath

• Hair loss

• Heartburn

• Swallowing difficulties

• Unexplained swelling, puffiness

• Skin thickening, tightness

• Dry mucus membranes

Some people seek scleroderma treatment for hard, tight skin, one of many scleroderma symptoms. Other people seek treatment for deeper problems when the scleroderma affects the internal organs such as the lungs, heart and kidneys.

Your doctor will be able to diagnose a certain form of scleroderma by looking for one symptom or more symptoms that will shape the scleroderma treatment plan.

One of the scleroderma symptoms is thickened skin patches particularly on the face, arms and hands. Another scleroderma symptom often seen is calcium deposits developing under the skin.

With ligaments tendons scleroderma symptoms, it may include swollen fingers and hands especially in the morning. Or you may notice a different scleroderma symptom -- an altered skin appearance - that leads you to seek treatment for scleroderma.

Your doctor may notice another common scleroderma symptom -- changes in the tiny blood vessels at the base of the fingernails. Your doctor will suggest a different scleroderma treatment depending on whether you show a mild scleroderma symptom or several more severe symptoms.

Another scleroderma symptom is muscle weakness. You may visit a doctor for arthritis treatment only to find you are exhibiting a symptom of scleroderma.

When scleroderma affects the glands that produce tear ducts, salivary glands and vaginal fluids, you may develop Sjogren's syndrome. You may have to receive scleroderma treatment as well as treatment for associated illnesses and diseases. For example, you will need treatment if scleroderma causes high blood pressure, heart failure or a weakened the esophagus.

A team of medical professionals including a gastroenterologist, a nephrologist and a pulmonary specialist will manage your scleroderma treatment plan. Your rheumatologist, who coordinates your scleroderma treatment plan, may refer you to other specialists depending on which scleroderma symptom is most pervasive.

You may even need to see a dermatologist for the treatment of a skin symptom of scleroderma or a cardiologist for a symptom of a heart complication.

While there is no scleroderma cure, by receiving effective treatment, you can increase your chance of maintaining an active lifestyle with only a rare scleroderma symptom to which you must attend.

When you see a specialist, you will probably be given a scleroderma treatment plan that includes therapy for Raynaud́'s phenomenon, a condition affecting more than 90 percent of patients with scleroderma.

You can prevent the severity of a scleroderma symptom by making simple lifestyle changes such as dressing warmly or moving to a warmer climate. Stop smoking, reduce stress and avoid second hand cigarette smoke if you are under a treatment plan for scleroderma.

Lifestyle changes will also help alleviate the scleroderma symptom of chronic heartburn. Treatment of scleroderma should incorporate preventive measures such as eating small meals and not eating after dinner. Your doctor might even advise you give up alcohol, coffee and tea as part of your scleroderma treatment plan to reduce the symptom of heartburn. Also, if you do take medications as part of your scleroderma treatment plan, you will not be able to mix alcohol with the drugs.

While nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including aspirin and ibuprofen may help with the joint and tendon pain associated with scleroderma, it's not the best treatment because the drugs can aggravate the gastrointestinal symptom of scleroderma. There is also the potential for ibuprofen liver damage. This is also a potential for many OTC anti inflammatory medications.

Your doctor may prescribe the following medications to reduce skin thickening and delay internal-organ problems: Calcium channel blockers to increase blood flow by interrupting the normal flow of calcium into and out of the cells that make up the blood vessels and narrow arteries, Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors to interfere with the body's chemical processes that constrict blood vessels, Dipyridamole (Persantine), Glucocorticoids to relieve scleroderma-related pericarditis and Immunosuppressants such as Cytoxan to treat the lung fibrosis associated with scleroderma.

However, even if your doctor prescribes the aforementioned medications as your scleroderma treatment, remember all of them come with serious side effects that may only temporary relieve a scleroderma symptom.

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