THEto systemic sclerosis It is a rare chronic disease of connective tissue. Sclerodermia is also called, a term that derives from ancient Greek and means “hard skin”. It is characterized, in fact, by a skin thickening, present in more or less large areas of the body, caused by the accumulation of fibrous connective tissue. On the occasion of World Scleroderma Day, in the night between 29 and 30 June historic buildings, buildings, fountains and squares of More than 60 Italian municipalities, from North to South, will light up with Viola to symbolic closeness of people with this rare disease and their family members.
Systemic sclerosis: the awareness campaign
Unfortunately, despite being A complex and multi -organ pathology, does not yet have a social recognition, does not benefit from working protections and no income support. Solicit public opinion and create awareness by highlighting the needs of the thousands of people who live it is one of the objectives that the Italian systemic sclerosis alloy pursues since its establishment. And that’s why, on the occasion of the XVI World Day, theNational Association of Italian Systemic Sclerosis League spear “We turn on the lights on systemic sclerosis”. Belluno, Trieste, Venice, Turin, Milan, Genoa, Florence, Reggio Emilia, Perugia, Naples, Catanzaro, Palermo, Agrigento These are some of the cities that have chosen to join the awareness campaign.
Systemic sclerosis: the importance of early diagnosis
“The proximity of the many mayors together with their municipal councils in this celebration reconfirms the trust that the widespread work of the association has been able to build on the national territory. He did this by generating paths of social networks and accrediting the association of reference alongside the many people who coexist daily with the disease. But also of their family and caregiver and finally doctors who support our volunteering alongside us in the screening campaigns. Recognizing the first symptoms of a rare disease is essential to get to an early diagnosis which remains the first step for an adequate therapeutic framework not only pharmacological but also rehabilitative and psychosocial. Hence the urgent need of turn on the lights on this pathology», He underlines Manuela Aloisepresident of the Association.
Identikit of the disease
In Italy there is about 30 thousand people, To date, however, it does not have a health care. New experimental drugs for the care of complications who give great hopes and care protocols validated internationally. It can involve the internal organs or not. Are distinguished, in fact, two forms of scleroderma: the localized onewhich concerns only the skin, and systemic sclerodermaiawhich can affect the internal organs and influence blood circulation. The disorders therefore vary according to the affected areas. According to theHigher Institute of Health (ISS), For both forms the cause is still unknown. They also have an hyperactivity of the immune system, which attacks the cells of the body (autoimmunity) instead of affecting, as normally happens, only foreign components such as viruses and bacteria. Damage to the cells that form the internal coating of blood vessels (vasculopathy) also occur. Increases the deposition of a protein, collagen, which constitutes the connective tissue with consequent stiffening and thickening of the affected areas.
How it manifests itself
Localized sclerodermia is not a fatal diseasebut it can cause significant inconvenience for the changes that determines the appearance of the skin, sometimes, to determine the appearance of the deformity of the face and the limbs. Systemic diseaseon the contrary, it can be mild or very serious and cause potentially fatal complications. He made his debut in 90% of cases with the phenomenon of Raynaudclearly visible and easily recognizable that sees the ends of the hands change color due to a vasoconstriction. Typically the phenomenon develops in three phaseswhich correspond to three colors: first there is the vasospsasm e The fingers become very palethen you have vascular paralysis and fingers they become cyanotic, then they are red To then return normal. In some cases, however, there are only two phases: the area becomes very white and then returns normal. Often the picture is completed by alterations of sensitivity ranging from its decrease to a frank pain.
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