United for Scleroderma

06/19/2024

JUNE IS SCLERODERMA AWARENESS MONTH

Scleroderma, sometimes called systemic sclerosis, is a rare chronic autoimmune disease. It is not contagious and there is no known cause or cure. According to the Scleroderma Foundation, it affects more than 300,000 people in the United States alone. Because scleroderma can be difficult to diagnose, many people are unaware of their condition for several years after developing symptoms. To help spread awareness about this disease and its effects on those living with it, June is recognized as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

06/19/2024

DON’T MISS OUT!

There’s still time to purchase raffle tickets.

🥇1st Prize: 2 tickets to see Janet Jackson live (parking included)
🥈2nd Prize: 3 Earth Wind & Fire tickets
🥉3rd Prize: Cleveland Funnybone gift certificate

Raffle will be live at 3pm Eastern on June 23rd.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/Nh9oAoeNHw7AB2uu/?

United For Scleroderma Foundation is having their second annual Community Awareness event. We're spreading awareness through music.

02/20/2024

Check this out! New column from our founder Sherlene Perkins

In her debut column, Sherlene Perkins rounds up her symptoms of scleroderma and describes how she's handling them as a rare disease warrior.

07/15/2023

Check this out!!!
Our most recent awareness event was picked up by TV20 News!

This Week's Stories:1. Community Benefits Ordinance Passed Press Conference:City leaders gathered on the steps of city hall to celebrate new legislation ...

06/02/2023

June is Scleroderma Awareness Month!
CLEVELAND AREA FOLKS:
Our outreach event is coming up soon! Register here:
https://rb.gy/5f3ai

Join us in spreading the word and sharing support for those suffering from this rare disease. Below you will find some ways you can spread awareness in your community.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Cegm8FtuE8M/

05/19/2023

https://rb.gy/5f3ai
June is National Scleroderma Awareness Month. We at United for Scleroderma are doing our part by hosting an event for all to learn about this rare disease. Come support our cause or share the link with others. We look forward to seeing you!

02/15/2023

Musculoskeletal manifestations (MSK)⁣
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Symptoms in patients with scleroderma include articular involvement, predominantly in the hands. These patients are also susceptible to muscle weakness and muscle diseases. These can be categorized in non-related muscle diseases, inflammatory, non-inflammatory and immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. ⁣
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Not only can it affect the extremities, but also the function of the heart and lungs. - Find more on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTxa2Lcl7xW/

02/08/2023

Gastrointestinal Manifestations ⁣
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Many patients with scleroderma may develop abnormalities of the digestive system and gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to a**l ca**l. The overproduction of collagen which is typical in Sclero patients can cause thickening and scarring of the tissues. This can result in the weakening of muscles which lead to slow movement of food in the digestive process. They may experience heartburn and acid reflux, difficulty swallowing due to narrowing esophagus, damage to the small bowel and constipation.

Check out on Instagram for more helpful art!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CU-raTNL5zE/

06/16/2022

JUNE IS SCLERODERMA AWARENESS MONTH

Early diagnosis is important because there are treatment options available. If you have scleroderma, you may be able to manage your symptoms with medications and lifestyle changes. But if the disease progresses without treatment, it can cause serious damage to internal organs such as the kidneys and heart.
Early diagnosis also allows doctors to begin a course of treatment right away, which could help delay or prevent complications like kidney damage. And because many people with scleroderma don't have symptoms until they're 40 years old or older (and symptoms sometimes go away), it's easy for these conditions to go unrecognized until it's too late.
Because of this risk factor, a doctor should be able to make an accurate diagnosis based on physical examination alone if they suspect scleroderma based on symptoms such as thickening skin that doesn't blanch under pressure (palpation). Early detection means early intervention and better medical care down the line.

06/13/2022

JUNE IS SCLERODERMA AWARENESS MONTH

A diagnosis of scleroderma is typically based on a physical exam and lab tests. However, it can be difficult to diagnose because there are several different types of scleroderma that may look similar to one another. Scleroderma is confirmed by biopsy, or removal of a sample of skin tissue from the body for examination under a microscope.
A biopsy usually involves taking samples from different parts of your body (such as your fingers or back) and examining them under a microscope in order to confirm any signs of damage caused by the disease.
A blood test can also help determine if you have scleroderma; however, it's important to note that many people with this condition don't have any symptoms until after they've already developed thickening in their skin—so if you're experiencing unusual rashes or patches on your hands but haven't been diagnosed yet, it's important not to assume the worst!

06/10/2022

JUNE IS SCLERODERMA AWARENESS MONTH

Scleroderma is a rare disease that affects the skin and internal organs. The word scleroderma comes from the Greek words skleros, which means hard or stiff, and derma, meaning skin. The disease causes hardening and thickening of the skin as well as changes in its color or appearance.
Scleroderma can also affect other parts of your body such as your kidneys, lungs, heart and digestive tract (including esophagus), causing problems with those organs' function. These complications can result in severe illness if left untreated. But there are treatments available now that can help prevent these issues from getting worse over time—and even reverse them if you have them already—so please speak up about how you're feeling today if this is something that affects you personally: nobody should ever feel alone in dealing with their condition.