Arthritis and scleroderma are autoimmune diseases with overlapping symptoms, including joint pain and swelling. Scleroderma is more life-threatening due to excess collagen production, which causes hardened skin and internal organ damage. Medications and exercise can help manage symptoms, but there is no cure. Some patients with scleroderma may develop rheumatoid arthritis. Early intervention can improve quality of life.
Arthritis and scleroderma are closely related as they are both autoimmune diseases. In some patients, the symptoms of arthritis and scleroderma are known to overlap. Both diseases are very serious and are accompanied by varying levels of pain and discomfort. Experts believe scleroderma, however, is the more life-threatening of the two.
Scientists know that patients with scleroderma tend to overproduce collagen. The root cause of scleroderma, however, isn’t exactly known. Due to excess collagen, individuals with scleroderma experience hardened and thickened skin, which sometimes even dangerously affects internal organs. Other symptoms may include hair loss, heartburn, skin discoloration, and ulcers on your fingers. Arthritis and scleroderma have similar symptoms as they both cause joint pain and swelling, especially of the hands and fingers.
Researchers studying the effects of arthritis and scleroderma have found that some patients with scleroderma eventually develop rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, arthritis is often referred to as a symptom of scleroderma. Both conditions can seriously affect one’s quality of life as daily activities, such as cooking, eating and dressing, become painfully difficult to accomplish.
When arthritis and scleroderma symptoms occur simultaneously, individuals often experience weakness in the thigh and upper arm muscles. You may also notice fatigue, aching joints and fever. In severe cases of scleroderma, swallowing difficulties and digestive problems may sometimes be present, as well as kidney failure, an irregular heartbeat, and severe breathing difficulties due to pulmonary fibrosis.
Medications used to treat arthritis, as well as scleroderma, include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pain relievers, and topical creams and ointments. Scleroderma medications additionally include prescriptions to regulate blood circulation and blood pressure, medicines to aid digestion, and antidepressants as both arthritis and scleroderma often result in psychological distress. Exercise is also important in relieving the symptoms of each of these diseases. While exercise can be difficult due to tough skin or the effects of rheumatoid arthritis, it’s important to maintain flexibility in the skin and muscles affected by arthritis and scleroderma.
Rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma are both widely considered to be different forms of arthritis. Connective tissue diseases such as scleroderma tend to be rare and are often confused with other autoimmune diseases such as lupus. This confusion sometimes results in a delayed diagnosis. There is no cure for either disease, but early intervention can help improve the quality of life of a person suffering from autoimmune disease.
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