Health Library Home>Conditions InDepth>Article

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Scleroderma

Lifestyle changes may help to ease some symptoms.

Manage Raynaud Phenomenon

People with systemic sclerosis can manage symptoms of Raynaud phenomenon by:

  • Wearing warm gloves and hats
  • Dressing in layers
  • Using hand and body warmers
  • Not spending a lot of time in cold settings

Decrease Digestive Problems

People with systemic sclerosis may be able to ease digestive problems by:

  • Eating small, frequent meals
  • Avoiding fatty foods, alcohol, peppermint, and chocolate
  • Avoiding high-fiber foods
  • Adding bran and avoiding lactose to ease diarrhea
  • Drinking plenty of fluids to ease constipation
REFERENCES:

Kowal-Bielecka O, Fransen J, et al. Update of EULAR recommendations for the treatment of systemic sclerosis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017 Aug;76(8):1327-1339.

Localized scleroderma. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/localized-scleroderma. Accessed August 12, 2020.

Scleroderma. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Scleroderma/default.asp. Accessed August 12, 2020.

Systemic sclerosis. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at:https://www.dynamed.com/condition/systemic-sclerosis. Accessed August 12, 2020.

What is scleroderma? Scleroderma Foundation website. Available at: http://www.scleroderma.org/site/PageServer?pagename=patients_whatis#.WEhnf02QzIV. Accessed August 12, 2020.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board James P. Cornell, MD