Read more about this disease, some with Classification – Types – Signs and symptoms – Genetics – Pathophysiology – Diagnosis – Screening – Prevention – Treatment and management – Cures and much more, some including pictures and video when available.
The limited form of scleroderma is often referred to as CREST syndrome.[1] “CREST” is an acronym for the five main features:
CREST is a limited form associated with antibodies against centromeres and usually spares the lungs and kidneys.
CREST is a systemic inflammatory rheumatic disease and usually results in more pathologies then the five symptoms above. Some of the most common symptoms are: Patients with CREST commonly and slowly produce a pulmonary artery hypertension which can result in heart failure. Also blood vessel thrombosis and arteriosclerosis has led to the necessity of amputation of fingers. Open legs can result from burst blood vessels and thin skin, leading to chronic infections. Other Symptoms of CREST patients can be exhaustion, weakness, difficulties with breathing, dizziness and badly heeling wounds. The origin of CREST lies in a production of antinuclear and anticentromer antibodies and has been related to borrlia burgdorferi infections. Thus it is believed, that the plasma cells, which produce these antibodies have been stimulated by an infection before. Not all patients with CREST have had a borrelia infection, though. There is no cure for this disease as there is no cure for sclerodermia in general. It slowly progresses and should be examined and treated as soon as it has been diagnosed with immunsuppressive and other medication.
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