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11. Cramps, Bloating, and Diarrhea
When scleroderma affects the digestive system, it can start to cause many complications in the affected individuals. Patients may find that they begin to experience the onset of bloating, gas, and cramping in the abdomen.
These symptoms occur due to the hardening of fibers in the digestive tract, resulting in a disruption in the peristaltic movement of food through the digestive system.
Doctors may treat patients for the symptoms using laxatives to clear any undigested food. However, the pain associated with the condition varies from person to person. If the patient already has an existing digestive disorder, such as Crohn’s disease, then they may experience severe, life-threatening complications that require immediate medical treatment.
The cramping and bloating symptoms may also occur in women who are experiencing their period. Fibrosis of the tissues in the pelvis may intensify symptoms of cramping and pain during menstruation. Using anti-inflammatories and painkillers to manage symptoms may help somewhat, but there is no immediate cure for the condition.