What's Scleroderma?

Queen Latifah's mom suffers from this autoimmune disease.

Queen Latifah’s Mom Has Rare Disease - This spring, Queen Latifah told People Magazine that her mother Rita Owens was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease that causes scar tissue to build up in her lungs. Owens also has increased blood pressure in the lungs, which impacts her ability to breathe as well. (Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Lifetime)

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Queen Latifah’s Mom Has This Disease - Recently, Queen Latifah told People Magazine that her mother Rita Owens was diagnosed with scleroderma, an autoimmune disease. Learn about its symptoms, treatment and how it affects African-Americans. — (@kelleent) Kellee Terrell

(Photo: Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images for Lifetime)

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What Is It? - Scleroderma is a group of diseases that affects tissues that supports our skin and/or internal organs. When you have scleroderma, your tissue gets hard, thick or tight. It can also cause swelling or pain in the muscles and joints. (Photo: Getty Images/Blend Images)

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Different Types - There are two types of the disease: Localized and systemic. Localized is when the disease only affects one part of the body and systemic is when it affects multiple organs. African-Americans with scleroderma are more likely to suffer from the systemic type.  (Photo: Getty Images) 

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What Causes It? - Doctors are not 100 percent certain where the disease comes from. What they do know is that you cannot “catch” it from someone else and that it may be genetic. (Photo: Comstock/Getty Images)

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What Are the Symptoms? - Symptoms of scleroderma depend on the affected organs, but some include patches of hard and tight skin over one’s body; numbness, color change or pain in your fingers and toes in response to cold and stress; digestive issues such as acid reflux; and life-threatening issues with your heart, lungs and kidney functions (which are rare); and dental issues. (Photo: Klaus Lahnstein/GettyImages)

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Blacks Have More Severe Symptoms - A 2012 study suggests that African-Americans are more likely than whites to experience severe symptoms of this disease. Researchers also found that this severity in symptoms leads to shorter life spans. Genetics may be a factor as to why this health disparity exists. (Photo: Bruce Laurance/Getty Images)

Photo By Bruce Laurance/Getty Images

Prepping for Your Test - You have made your doctor’s appointment, but there some things that you can do to prepare for it, says Mayo Clinic. Make sure that you know of any restrictions — some tests may require that you do not eat 12 hours or more before the test. Jot down any symptoms you may have had so you can talk to your doctor about it and a list of any medicines or vitamins you are taking.  (Photo: Getty Images/STOCK)

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Who’s at Risk? - Anyone can be diagnosed with the disease, including children. Women are more likely to have it than men and those with a family history. Age also plays a factor in terms of which type of scleroderma one has. Localized is usually diagnosed in those 40 and over and systemic mostly diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 40. (Photo: GettyImages)

Get Help - If someone has said something to you about wanting to kill themselves or you are noticing a lot of signs, DO NOT sit idly by. Call a doctor, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or try to convince your loved one to go to the hospital immediately and seek help. (Photo: Izabela Habur/Getty Images)

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Getting Diagnosed - Scleroderma isn’t an easy disease to diagnose, because it doesn’t always show identifiable symptoms; it can look like something else; or the skin can get thick really fast. But a doctor will look at your family history, take a blood test, skin grafts and a physical exam to determine if you have the disease. (Photo: Izabela Habur/GettyImages)

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Is There a Cure? - There is not a cure, but treatment can help lessen symptoms and damage to someone’s internal organs and skin as well as provide pain relief, suppression of your immune system and prevention from it from attacking your body and antibiotic ointment to prevent infections. Amputation and organ transplants are also treatment options.(Photo: Patrick Lane/GettyImages)

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Living With Scleroderma - While scleroderma can be deadly for some, many others live a full life with the disease. Coping with the disease takes work, which includes staying active, not smoking, protecting yourself from the cold and eating foods low in acid to prevent acid reflux. (Photo: Erik Isakson/Getty Images)

Photo By Erik Isakson/Getty Images