Systemic scleroderma - a multisystem autoimmune disease in which increases the activity of fibroblasts Fibroblasts: the mystery of the connective tissue That leads to abnormal growth of connective tissue. This becomes the cause of vascular damage and fibrosis. Fibrosis develops in the skin, gastrointestinal tract and other internal organs.

The term scleroderma is derived from the Greek "hard skin" and emphasizes the aspect of dermatological diseases. For the first time sclerosis was described by Hippocrates.

The most common systemic scleroderma occurs in people aged 22 to 55 years, but it can develop at any age, although it is rarely seen in children.

The cause of scleroderma is unknown system; most likely that the development of this disease is caused by a genetic predisposition. Perhaps environmental factors can trigger this disorder.

Symptoms of systemic sclerosis

Common symptoms of this disease are fatigue and a decrease in body weight.

Skin

The skin may appear the following symptoms of scleroderma:

• Swelling of the fingers and toes - a very common early sign of disease;
• Seal and rough skin - may cause deterioration of joint mobility; the skin on the hands can coarsen so that the patient will not be able to squeeze his hand into a fist;
• Ulcers on the fingertips;
• Raynaud's disease;
• Calcification - the deposition of calcium salts in soft tissues;
• Mikrostomiya;
• Telangiectasia;
• Dryness and itching of the skin;
• Areas of hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation of the skin.

Locomotor apparatus

The following symptoms occur when systemic scleroderma affects the musculoskeletal system:

• The pain and inflammation of the joints;
• Myalgia;
• Limiting the mobility of joints, contractures and muscle atrophy.

Symptoms associated with the gastrointestinal tract

• Heartburn and reflux esophagitis;
• Scarring on the walls of the esophagus and dysphagia;
• Delay in gastric emptying;
• Deterioration motility of the small intestine, which may lead to an increase in the number of bacteria, accompanied by bloating, malabsorption, diarrhea, and lack of nutrients;
• Constipation due to deterioration of colonic motility.

Diagnostics

For the diagnosis of systemic sclerosis are used:

• A complete blood count;
• Analysis of renal function;
• Analysis for autoantibodies (anti-nuclear antibody analysis in 90-95% of cases, a positive result);
• Analysis of the presence of protein in urine The protein in the urine - a sign of danger, which should not be underestimated ;
• Skin biopsy - as an aid in the diagnosis;
• X-ray examination - to detect calcification;
• Endoscopy and / or study using barium - depending on the symptom of the gastrointestinal tract.

Treatment

Drug-free treatment

• Physical therapy - helps restore joint mobility and muscle strength;
• Exercises at home to save or restore mobility - in particular, the exercises for the muscles of the face and hands;
• Refusal of tobacco and maintaining a healthy weight;
• If necessary - to change the diet and supplementation Food additives - basic classification .

Medication

Currently there is no drug that can slow the progression of guaranteed systemic sclerosis; To do this, we try to take cyclophosphamide, penicillamine and mikofenolyatmofetil.yu but without much success. Typically, patients with systemic sclerosis Scleroderma - affects all the organs   aimed at relieving symptoms and early treatment of complications.

For the relief of symptoms affecting the skin and musculoskeletal system, using: calcium channel blockers (eg, nifedipine) or blockers AP2, fluoxetine, antibiotics, protective bandages, vasodilators, nitroglycerin (ointment), sildenafil point steroids, antihistamines, immunosuppressants (eg, mycophenolate or cyclophosphamide), carried teroidnye anti-inflammatory drugs.

Formulations for control of symptoms of systemic sclerosis affecting the gastrointestinal tract: proton pump inhibitors, H2-blockers of histamine receptors, metoclopramide or domperidone, cyclic antibiotic supplementation of dietary fiber laxatives.

What is immunity

Immunity - a body immunity to various infectious agents and their toxins (poisons), as well as to various other alien organic substances.

Any alien organic substances, whether a microorganism, animal tissue or other rights, etc. antigen is called in response to the entering of which occurs in the body's immune reaction: produced antibodies capable of neutralizing it. The immune system is well remembers his own antigenic composition of the man and not normally produces antibodies to these antigens. But in some cases this occurs, a condition called autoimmune reaction.

The human immune system

The human immune system includes the thymus, bone marrow, embryonic (in utero), liver, lymphoid formation of the intestine and the appendix (appendicitis), the lymph nodes, spleen, and also found in the blood and tissue cells of bone marrow origin - lymphocytes, monocytes, and et al. Most of the cells of the immune system are constantly moving through the blood and lymph vessels in a section of the immune system and vice versa.

All immune cells interact with each other and isolated environment diverse molecules that exert regulatory action against the body's own cells and the vast - for alien. Such molecules are called cytokines.

The immune protection of the body from the "enemy" is carried out as the cells of the immune system (cellular immunity) and their metabolic products (humoral immunity).

A key role in the cellular and humoral immune mechanisms play lymphocytes white blood cells. They are divided into thymus-dependent (T-cells, they develop in the thymus) and thimic-independent (B lymphocytes that develop, bypassing the thymus in fetal liver).

Cellular immunity is carried out by blood cells capable of phagocytosis (absorption and digestion of 'outsiders'), and to the release of cytokines. All phagocytes are divided into macrophages (granular white blood cells) and macrophages (monocytes). The first place to the appearance of "outsiders" rush macrophages, for them - macrophages. Attract them to the "scene of the battle" T-lymphocytes, which are allocated to this particular matter.

Humoral immunity is carried out by B-lymphocytes that trigger the production of antibodies Antibodies - "soldiers' immunity . The interaction of antibody with antigen, they stick together, which contributes complement (complex system of serum proteins). Subsequently Complement destroys bacteria and viruses, and decomposition products excreted

The nature and strength of the immune response depends on the properties of the antigen (e.g., the ability of the bacteria or virus to cause disease), the amount, place of contact with the body, and so on.

Types of immunity

There is a specific immunity, which is inherited. For example, a person can not become infected with a particular infection of animals (swine fever), and animals - from human (chickenpox).

Immunity can be acquired. Natural immunity produced by a person during prolonged contact with infectious agents (if the disease is not happening). So there is, for example, individual immunity to certain infections in contact with patients. During epidemics of plague Plague - whether justified reputation of the "black death"?   smallpox and many doctors are not sick because of the formation of such immunity

Immunity is developed and the introduction of vaccines that contain components of bacteria or viruses. There are active and passive immunity. Active immunity is developed after suffering an infectious disease or the vaccine, which contains weakened or killed pathogens (antigens). Passive immunity - this is the administration of a ready-made antibodies contained in sera. Active immunity is not formed at once (during the week), lasts a long time, passive develop immediately, but did not last long. Accordingly active immunity (vaccines) is used for the prevention and passive (serum antibodies) - for the treatment of infectious diseases.

Features of immunity in children

Immunity in children has its own characteristics. In infants and children up to a year of great importance passive immunity in which antibodies to infectious agents transmitted from the mother to the baby through the placenta. The contents of these antibodies is reduced to 6-9 months of life.

Operation own immune system The immune system - how it works?   baby begins only after antigenic stimulation, i.e. exposure of microbes on the newborn. Of particular importance are the microorganisms that populate the gastrointestinal tract. Typically, in the first months of life the child settle in the intestine is not the most useful bacteria for digestion, so there is the charge for a long time is immunoglobulin A, which is an antibody capable of dealing with the "enemy" in place of its occurrence. Only after dysbacteriosis Dysbacteriosis - what brings self   tested, the number of IgA decreases.

Further development of immunity in children is under the influence of an illness and vaccination.

Immunity - a basic protection of our body and if it is broken, the body becomes open to any outside influences.

  Galina Romanenko