What are the Symptoms of Scleroderma and How to Deal with it?

What is Scleroderma?

• As per modern aspect:

Scleroderma is an autoimmune disorder and a chronic skin disease in which the skin gets thick and tight results in the thickening of blood vessels and formation of scars on the lungs and kidneys which leads to tissue damage and high blood pressure.

It may be localized (that affects the skin) or generalized (that may involve the body parts).

• As per Ayurvedic concept:

In Ayurveda, it is considered under Vatarakta. This is associated with Vitiated vata and vitiated rakta. It is defined as the condition in which there is the obstruction of the vitiated Vata by the vitiated rakta. It is also defined as the disease that starts from pada moola or sometimes from hasta moola and the ashukari nature of vata makes the spreading of disease all over the body.

What are the Symptoms of Scleroderma?

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon is when blood vessels in the fingers and toes temporarily overreact to cold temperatures or stress. This reduction in the blood flow can cause the damage.

Swollen Joints

It happens when there is an increase of fluid in the tissues that surround the joints. It is common in almost all types of injuries, infections, and arthritis such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

Heartburn

It includes burning chest pain and chronic cough. After the intake of food, the pain gets worse.

Sjogren’s Syndrome

It is a syndrome in which there is dryness in the mucus membranes and moisture secreting glands of mouth, eyes and other parts of the body, this condition often accompanies with other immune disorders like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Diarrhea

In this the bowel movements are loose and watery include symptoms like blood or mucus in the stool, cramps, fever, bloating and urgency to pass stool.

How to Deal with Scleroderma?

1. Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese is rich in sulfur that helps in easy absorption of oil as well as other nutrients in the cells of the body. This helps in increasing the energy levels and boosts the immune system. It is the better way to treat with scleroderma.

2. Onion

Onion is rich in thiosulfinates and cepaene that exhibit the anti-inflammatory activity and provides relief to the patient.

3. Garlic

It is a medical herb because it contains phytochemical ingredients and works as a beneficial therapeutic agent. It helps in improving the functions of all types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. It works as a beneficial therapeutic agent. The goal of ginger is to minimize the discomfort. It reduces the muscular pain, from moderate to large reduction.

4. Ginger

It has a cancer-fighting property that reduces the cancer cells and lowers the risk of dementia and heart disease. It contains a compound called as diallyl sulfide that is anti-inflammatory which limits the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines. It may also enhance the function of certain immune cells that help in strengthening the immune system. It also provides relief from inflammation, pain and also reduces the damaging of cartilages.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric is a rich source of Curcumin that helps in suppressing the fibrotic process which leads to the overproduction of collagen and the development of scleroderma. Curcumin has other properties also such as anticancer, anti-oxidant etc. It also helps in reducing inflammation at a cellular level and provides relief to the patient. It also blocks the enzymes and cytokines that lead to inflammation.

6. Lavender Oil

It is the most effective essential oil with versatile uses. It originates from the stem distillation of aromatic lavender flowers. It has anti-anxiety, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidepressant as well as expectorant properties. It also provides relief in symptoms like fatigue  and stress.

7. Peppermint Oil

Peppermint is rich in high menthol content and contains rosmarinic acid and is a combination of spearmint as well as water mint plants. It is a good source of anti-stress, anti-inflammatory, analgesic as well as antidepressant properties that provide relief in the symptoms of scleroderma such as provide relief in puffy and swollen fingertips and toes. It also manages the circulatory problems and treats the problem of shortening of breath associated with scleroderma symptoms and provides relief to the patient.

8. Fish Oil

Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids that help in reducing the symptoms of scleroderma. Fish oil is rich in vitamin D that helps in preventing from its deficiency. These omega-3s lowers the levels of triglycerides that are the unhealthy fats that reduce the growth of plaques that clog the arteries and also raised the levels of beneficial HDL cholesterol that lowers the blood pressure.

9. Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is an effective herb that alleviates microcirculatory problems and also helpful in skin disorders like eczema, psoriasis etc. It has been used for localized as well as systemic scleroderma with positive results and the decrease in vascular disorders, hyperpigmentation, and hard lesions. It has an anti-oxidant property that can control the oxidative stress which is associated with inflammation. It acts as a wound healer and useful for the management of scar.

10. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a pioneer to the hormone calcitriol that plays an important role in boosting the immune system. It improves the skin lesions, skin tightness and joint mobility associated with scleroderma.

11. Lemon

Lemon is rich in vitamin C that helps in boosting the immunity. It also enhances the effectiveness of other herbs. It is very effective in skin diseases. It helps in speeding up the wound healing process and very helpful during convalescence. It helps in softening the thickened skin and helps in reducing the swelling and inflammation.

Conclusion:

Scleroderma is an autoimmune and chronic skin disorder that results in the thickening of skin and blood vessels which results in the formation of scars on the kidneys and lungs. Symptoms such as swollen joints, diarrhea, and heartburn are mentioned above and some natural treatments that will provide relief are also mentioned.

Hope this information is useful.