Can pregnancy make scleroderma worse?
Some patients’ scleroderma symptoms may worsen with pregnancy, but usually only if they became pregnant within the critical first three years of scleroderma onset.
Can scleroderma cause miscarriages?
Scleroderma appears to have little effect on fertility. There does appear to be an increased frequency of premature deliveries and lower weight infants as compared to the normal population. Miscarriage risk in scleroderma appears to be associated with the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APS).
How does scleroderma affect the gastrointestinal tract?
In the gastrointestinal tract, scleroderma can cause progressive atrophy and collagenous fibrous replacement of the muscularis, which may affect any part or all of the gastrointestinal tract but is more prominent in the esophagus. The lower two thirds of the esophagus often develops a rubber hosepipe-like consistency.
Can scleroderma cause stomach issues?
Stomach symptoms in scleroderma are due to slow emptying of food into the small intestine. The retention of food in the stomach leads to the sensation of nausea, vomiting, fullness, or bloating (also known as gastroparesis).
What is the life expectancy for someone with scleroderma?
In general, patients with limited scleroderma have a normal life expectancy. Some have problems with their GI tract, especially heartburn; severe Raynaud’s and musculoskeletal pain; and a small subset can develop pulmonary hypertension that can be life-threatening.
Does scleroderma qualify for disability?
If you have been diagnosed with scleroderma, which is a disorder of the immune system, and it has left you unable to work you may be able to get approval for Social Security disability benefits.
What should I avoid with scleroderma?
Avoid foods that may aggra- vate symptoms such as citrus fruits, tomato products, greasy fried foods, coffee, garlic, onions, peppermint, gas-producing foods (such as raw peppers, beans, broccoli or raw onions), spicy foods, carbonated beverages and alcohol.
What is the best diet for scleroderma?
General Diet Recommendations: Choose fresh, whole, minimally processed foods, without preservatives, artificial ingredients, or hydrogenated oils. If there are “chemical” sounding names in the ingredient list, avoid it. In general, the shorter the ingredient list, the better.
What foods make scleroderma worse?