Scleroderma is a chronic, often progressive autoimmune disease - like rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus, and multiple sclerosis in which the body's immune system
attacks its own tissue.
 

The disease, which literally means "hard skin", can cause thickening and
tightening of the skin, as well as serious damage to internal organs including the
lungs, heart, kidneys, esophagus, and gastrointestinal tract. It can cause a great
deal of pain as well as extreme fatigue. Scleroderma occurs three to four times
more often in women than men.
 

Symptoms of scleroderma vary from mild to severe. For some, it is a life-
threatening disease. For most people with scleroderma, the disease has a serious
impact on daily life. And, although medications can sometimes help, there is no
known cause or cure yet!