If you go to the doctor and find out that you have scleroderma, you may find yourself wondering what you can possibly do to overcome the condition and get your symptoms and discomfort under control. Before you panic and think that your condition will never get better, get to know more about the current rheumatology treatment options as well as other up-and-coming treatments for your scleroderma. Then, you can be sure that you take the steps you need to manage your symptoms and try to regain control over your life and your health.

Prescription Medications to Manage Symptoms

Doctors and researchers have yet to develop a prescription medication that can treat and stop the underlying mechanisms that cause scleroderma. The over-production of collagen that causes the skin hardening and other issues that surround scleroderma cannot be stopped with these drugs. However, you can get help for some of the symptoms.

A prescription antibiotic ointment, for example, can be useful to prevent you from developing an infection from the finger and hand ulcers that are common symptoms of scleroderma. Medications that generally treat high blood pressure can be used to help dilate the blood vessels in an attempt to prevent the problems with the kidneys and lungs that scleroderma can cause.

Pain relievers and medications that decrease stomach acid can also help to reduce symptoms and discomfort. Your rheumatologist may recommend intravenous anti-inflammatory medications as well to help get rid of some of the swelling and discomfort your scleroderma causes.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is another way that many patients use to cope with scleroderma. Strengthening the muscles and ensuring that they are as flexible as possible can help you remain active and engaged in your daily life in spite of this rheumatological condition.

Along with generalized physical therapy, you can also get occupational therapy. Occupational therapy will focus primarily upon the activities of daily life like walking, dressing, and profession-specific tasks and fine motor skills to help you be able to continue being engaged in your daily life as much as possible.

Possible Gene Therapy In The Future

Gene therapy is yet to be an effective treatment for scleroderma. However, doctors are working on developing a scleroderma gene therapy treatment. The current treatment in development is designed to help deal with the increased dermal thickness (skin thickness and hardening) that occurs when a person suffers from scleroderma.

This gene therapy is still in the early development stages and has been tested on mice but not humans. It is currently in the pre-clinical trial stages which means it is one step closer to being the first effective treatment of its kind to fight scleroderma in a more effective way.

With these treatment options in mind, you can begin the process of trying to manage your scleroderma symptoms and keeping an eye on gene therapy treatment developments that may help you better overcome your scleroderma in the future. Contact a center, like Arthritis & Rheumatology Associates of South Jersey, for more help.