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Many Veterans Have This Hard To Detect Disorder
USVCP Staff  Writers

April 28, 2021

          

Unfortunately, many veterans suffer from this debilitating disorder which has no cure.  And, because of the high levels of contaminants many veterans encounter throughout their military careers, veterans are five times more likely to end up with this disorder.

   

Scleroderma is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. It can affect a veteran’s skin, fingers, toes, lungs, kidneys, heart, teeth, digestive system and sexual function. The medical profession has concluded that scleroderma can be extremely hard to diagnose and currently has no cure, and no cure in sight.  But, symptoms and damage cause by scleroderma can be reduced.

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Scleroderma Symptoms

  • Hair loss.
  • Calcium deposits.
  • Small, dilated blood vessels under the skin’s surface.
  • Joint pain.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Dry cough.
  • Swelling of the fingers and toes.
  • Skin thickening.
  • Pale fingers (especially the tips) that may become numb and tingle when exposed to cold or stress.
  • Extreme joint pain.
  • Taut, shiny, darker skin on large areas.
  • Decreased range of motion.

   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

                

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for scleroderma.

    

Causes

Most likely, scleroderma is caused by a combination of factors, including immune system problems, genetics and environmental triggers.

     

Certain environmental contaminants may trigger scleroderma.

Repeated exposure, such as work on military installations and work on military equipment, may cause an increased risk to certain harmful substances or chemicals, which may increase the risk of developing scleroderma.

   

Additionally, research suggests that, in some veterans, scleroderma symptoms may be triggered by exposure to certain viruses, medications or drugs. 

Add Comment

Frank Lemoine, 4/29/21

Why the VA have not updated AO to include scleroderma and notify Vietnam Vets of this condition? In addition report indicated medication or drugs thus that mean also consume malaria pills because you were ordered too! Uncle Sam said it good for you and uncle ho ####@!@!?? Airborne all the way! Clear to right!

         

Mario Baray, 4/29/21 

Finally I have an idea as to why I`m losing a lot of hair when I shower. Not only from my head but from all over my body and my joints have increased in pain over the last few years. At the VA hospital I've been told that it was due to age, come on, not everything is caused by age.  It may even explain why I get dry skin around and near my fingers.  It'd be awesome if I could hear from someone in your office.