3. Digestive Problems
Digestive problems associated with scleroderma can lead to acid reflux and difficulty swallowing. Some describe feeling as if the food gets stuck midway down the esophagus. You may also experience bouts of constipation alternating with episodes of diarrhea. Some things that may help to relieve the symptoms include:
- Eating small, frequent meals.
- Standing or sitting for 1 to 3 hours after eating.
- Using blocks to raise the head of your bed.
- Avoiding late-night meals, spicy or fatty foods, alcohol, and caffeine.
- Eating moist, soft foods, and chew them well.
- Ask your doctor about medicines for diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn.
4. Joint Problems
Stiffness and pain come from hard skin around joints and joint swelling. Some things that may help to relieve the symptoms include:
- Stretching exercises that move the joints.
- Exercising regularly (swimming is best).
- Taking medicine to help ease pain or swelling. Ask your doctor which medicines are the best for you to take.
- Doing daily tasks in ways that put less stress on the joints.
5. Dental Problems
If you have tight skin on your face, you may have trouble caring for your teeth. Tightening of facial skin can cause your mouth to become smaller and narrower, which may make it hard to brush your teeth or to even have them professionally cleaned. People who have scleroderma often don’t produce normal amounts of saliva, which can speed up tooth decay. Harm to tissues in the mouth can also loosen teeth. To try to avoid these problems:
- Brush and floss your teeth each day.
- Have frequent dental checkups.
- See your dentist if you have mouth sores, mouth pain, or loose teeth.
- Ask your dentist about special rinses that help decrease dry mouth and avoid mouthwashes that have alcohol.
- Move and stretch your mouth and face to keep them flexible.
- Keep your mouth moist. You can drink lots of water or suck on ice chips. You can also chew gum or suck on hard candy that has no sugar added.