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10. Difficulty Swallowing
Also known by the medical term, “dysphagia,” difficulty with swallowing is another common symptom of scleroderma.
The condition occurs when there is a problem with the esophagus or throat, cause the muscles in the affected area to tighten, limiting their ability to create the peristaltic swallowing movement. As a result, patients with dysphagia may find that they have a hard time swallowing food, and in some cases, the patient may choke on their meal.
Scleroderma of the throat and esophagus may lead to a dramatic decrease in the quality of life for the patient. As a result, they may enter a state of malaise where they struggle to come to terms with the state of their health, resulting in the onset of depression in the patient.
Scleroderma can cause the hardening of tissues in the throat, causing dysfunction with the swallowing action. As the disease progresses, the patient may find that they have to resort to a liquid diet to avoid choking.