3. Gastrointestinal Issues: Swallowing Difficulties

People living with scleroderma can experience swallowing difficulties due to how slow food moves through their digestive system and the esophagus space becoming more narrow.

To help with this condition, doctors advise eating slowly and making sure all food is thoroughly chewed before swallowing. Choosing soft foods that are easy to swallow will also help.

4. Gastrointestinal Issues: Diarrhea

Weakened muscles may result in food not being pushed through the small intestines efficiently. This can result in damage to the muscles in the small bowel which may lead to a build-up of bacteria. This bacteria can cause problems such as bloating, pain and diarrhea.

If food is left in the bowel, the nutrients may not be fully absorbed by the body which can lead to issues such as stool abnormalities and weight loss.

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