Treating Sjogren’s Syndrome Naturally

Sjogren’s Syndrome is not well known, but it is the second most diagnosed Rheumatoid Disease, after Lupus, in the United States. The Sjogren’s Foundation estimates between 2 and 4 million people in the United States are diagnosed with this disease. Sjogren’s does not have the media surrounding it like other Autoimmune Disorders. However, those of us who suffer from Sjogren’s deal with a lot of symptoms, and sometimes, disabilities. If you have been diagnosed with Sjogren’s, understanding it is the first step to managing the symptoms. I was diagnosed about 8 years ago. These are some things I wish I had known when I was first told I had this.

Understanding Sjogren’s.     

The funny thing about Sjogren’s is everyone is different. Some people have mild symptoms, while others become disabled from the disease. Most people start their medical journey due to dry eyes, mouth, dental problems, or chronic aches and pains. Some other symptoms include:

• Problems with concentration, forgetfulness, and feeling like you are in a “brain fog”.
• Mouth sores, problems chewing and swallowing food
• chronic fatigue
• sensitivity to UV light
• swollen glands
• abnormal liver function tests
• peripheral neuropathy and Reynaud’s
• vaginal dryness in women
• chronic prostatitis in men
• lymphoma

Diagnosis.   

Diagnosing Sjogren’s can be a difficult, lengthy process. The symptoms of Sjogren’s are the same as those for menopause, fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and other diseases. Lab tests, such as SS-A or SS-B are completed. 70% of Sjogren’s patients are positive for SS-A and 40% are positive for SS-B. These test antibodies in the blood.

Eye tests are also completed to help diagnose Sjogren’s. When I was first diagnosed, I thought I had pink eye. My medical doctor sent me to an eye specialist, who completed tests for dry eyes and tear production. What I had was tiny little ulcers on my eyes that were caused from lack of tears. Further tests led to the diagnosis of Sjogren’s.

You may also have dental tests that look at the amount of saliva you produce. Sjogren’s patients do not produce a lot of saliva. This will cause mouth sores, cracked tongue, and dental issues.

I also had other blood tests and a lip biopsy to validate the diagnosis. My ANA and Rheumatoid Factor were extremely abnormal.

Medical Treatment.              

With most Autoimmune Disorders, management of the disease is defined by treating symptoms. Over the counter medications, such as those for dry eyes and mouth are helpful with managing these symptoms. Your doctor may prescribed medications to help with more serious symptoms, such as steroids, or proton pump inhibitors (Prilosec) for Gastric Discomfort. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) is an immunosuppressant medication that helps decrease inflammation in the body, thus decreasing chronic pain. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) can be prescribed or purchased over the counter to help milder aches and pains.

With these medications, there is a risk of many side effects. For example, Hydroxychloroquine can cause skin issues, liver problems, and changes in ones mood. It can also cause problems with vision and eye health. NSAIDS can increase your risk of gastrointestinal diseases, from ulcers to irritable bowel syndrome. However, these medications do make living with Sjogren’s a lot easier. For many patients, the side effects outweigh the benefits of these medications, and they stop taking them. Instead of just living with the symptoms, there are alternative,  natural, and homeopathic remedies to help reduce inflammation and decrease the debilitating symptoms.

Alternative and Natural Remedies 

There is a new love in the United States for choosing alternative treatments for disease and illness. Other countries have used homeopathic and alternative remedies for thousands of years. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been used throughout the history of man to treat illness and disease. Herbal and plant remedies have shown great results for treating inflammation, chronic pain and fatigue, and illness. Chiropractic treatments are among one of the most valued alternative therapies. By gentle maneuvers, the Chiropractor aides in reducing muscle pain and weakness, strengthens the spine, reduce headaches, neck pain, and other ailments. Chiropractic care does not only treat the spine, but also other areas of the body with joint and muscle pain. To learn more, check out this article from the Cleveland Clinic.

We believe that God put on this earth what we need to heal ourselves. Plants and herbs, essential oils, and naturopathic treatment is a great complimentary treatment along with modern medicine. If you would like to know how to manage symptoms of Sjogren’s, or any other autoimmune disorder that is caused by inflammation, leading to chronic pain, fatigue, and weight gain, contact me today for a free consultation at www.yarrowhillsesentials.com.

Andra Johnson, BSN, RN is a registered nurse and a Certified Practitioner for SHAPE ReClaimed. The contents of this post is for informational and educational purposes only. If you are having pain, or other symptoms, please seek care with your medical doctor.