In addition to taking prescribed medications correctly and regularly, there are many steps a person with Scleroderma can take to better manage the disease. These include:

Exercise

Regular exercise will not only help improve your overall physical and spiritual well-being, but it will also help keep your joints flexible and improve circulation. Consult your doctor or physical therapist for appropriate exercises.

Stress management

Because the effects of stress can play a part in reducing your blood flow, as well as affect many other aspects of your emotions and health, it is important to learn to manage or reduce stress. This can be done by taking the following steps:

• Getting proper sleep and rest.
• Avoiding stressful situations when possible.
• Eating a healthy diet.
• Learning methods to control anxieties and fears.
• Exercising.

Diet

Aside from eating healthy foods to get the proper amounts of vitamins and nutrients, it is important to eat foods that do not aggravate existing stomach problems. Ways to do this include:

• Avoiding foods that cause heartburn.
• Drinking water or another liquid to soften food further.
• Eating high fiber foods to cut down on constipation.
• Eating more, smaller meals as opposed to three large meals. This enables the body to digest the food more easily. If you eat a large meal, wait at least four hours before lying down.
• Raising the head of your bed about six inches by placing blocks or bricks underneath it. This will prevent stomach acid from entering the esophagus while you are sleeping.

Joint Protection

When your joints hurt, avoid lifting heavy objects or performing chores that may place a strain on them, thus risking further injury. A physical therapist can help you learn new ways to perform daily activities without placing undue strain on your joints.

Skin Protection

Taking proper precautions and care of your skin can be beneficial not only for symptoms of Raynaud's Phenomenon, but also in taking care of the dry, thick patches of skin that result from localized scleroderma. There are many ways to accomplish this, including:

• During the colder months, be sure to dress appropriately. Keeping your body warm and protected from the cold weather with boots, a hat, gloves and a scarf will help keep the blood vessels in your extremities open and your circulation flowing.
• Wear multiple thin layers. These will keep you warmer than wearing one thick layer.
• Wear loose-fitting boots or shoes to keep the blood supply moving to your feet.
• Put a humidifier in your house to help keep the air moist.
• Use soaps and creams that are designed especially for dry skin.

Dental Care

For those patients with Scleroderma who also have Sjögren's Syndrome, proper dental care is essential. Sjögren's Syndrome increases the risk of developing cavities and tooth decay.

Although no cure has been found for Scleroderma, the disease is very often slowly progressive and manageable, and people who have it may lead healthy and productive lives. Like many other conditions, education about Scleroderma can be the greatest tools for managing the disease and reducing the risk of further complications.

SFI ( Scleroderma Foundation India) and www.scelerodermaindia.com can be the greatest tool to bridge the gap between patient suffering with the disease and right doctors for such rare disease.