Sjogren's --- Causes and Top 10 Natural
Remedies
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June 18, 2012
By Louise Carr, Associate Editor and Featured Columnist
Sjogren's syndrome may be the most common auto-immune
disease you've never heard of. It is also the answer to the
trivia question "what disease does Venus Williams have?". Dry
eyes, dry mouth and dry skin are the classic signs of Sjogren’
s, an autoimmune disease where your white blood cells attack
your moisture-producing glands. But tackling Sjogren’s
syndrome is not simply a matter of using a better moisturizer
after your shower and some eye drops. If the airways, sinuses
and tissues in the vagina are affected uncomfortable dryness
occurs in these places too. And the condition is not just about
dryness – Sjogren’s can cause problems with the kidneys,
lungs, blood vessels, liver, central nervous system and
pancreas.
Is Sjogren’s a rare disease? It’s not common but it is the
second-most prevalent autoimmune condition. Upwards of
four million Americans suffer from Sjogren’s and nine out of
10 are women, according to the Sjogren's Syndrome
Foundation. Sjogren’s can affect all age groups with the
average age of diagnosis the late 40s. The condition,
pronounced “show-grins,” is named after the Swedish
ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren who first identified it in 1933.
Unfortunately, Sjogren’s is easily confused with other diseases
and conditions and it takes an average of seven years to
receive a diagnosis, according to the Sjogren's Syndrome
Foundation.
If you suffer from Sjogren’s is there anything you can do
about it? Are there any remedies or treatments that can help
treat the dryness that comes with Sjogren’s?
What Causes Sjogren’s Syndrome?
Why do people get Sjogren’s? Unfortunately, as with many
other chronic autoimmune conditions, scientists aren’t sure
why some people suffer from Sjogren’s and others escape the
condition. A set of genes may put people at particular risk of
Sjogren’s and a trigger of some sort – an infection perhaps –
seems to be necessary in order for Sjogren’s to develop.
What are the Symptoms of Sjogren's?
Sjogren’s is an autoimmune condition which means your
immune system makes a mistake and starts attacking your
body’s own tissues and cells instead of harmful invaders. In
Sjogren’s white blood cells attack glands that produce
moisture such as the tear glands and the salivary glands. This
results in eye and mouth dryness. With this dryness come
gritty, burning eyes, difficulty talking and swallowing, a
cracked tongue, dry lips, dental decay and changes in your
sense of smell and taste – a disturbing and uncomfortable
cocktail of symptoms. If you suffer from Sjogren’s you may
also have joint pain, digestive problems, and fatigue.
According to the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, about half
of all cases of Sjogren’s occur alone (called Primary Sjogren’
s) and the other half occurs alongside another autoimmune
condition such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or scleroderma
(called Secondary Sjogren’s).
Is Sjogren’s Dangerous?
Sjogren’s is not usually life-threatening. But in serious cases,
it can cause life threatening problems to major organs in the
body. You are also at higher risk of developing lymphoma if
you have Sjogren’s syndrome. Sufferers may experience
symptoms that remain steady, worsen, or sometimes go into
remission. You may have Sjogren’s for life but you can
maintain a better quality of life with effective treatment and
care. We’ve looked at the scientific research into Sjogren’s to
find a list of 10 natural remedies that can help relieve the
discomfort of this condition.
1. Dry Mouth Cures For Sjogren’s
Sjogren’s causes a chronically dry mouth which makes life
uncomfortable as well as interferes with regular talking,
chewing and swallowing. Care for your dry mouth by sipping
small amounts of water throughout the day. Avoid acidic and
caffeinated drinks and chew on sugar-free gum or candies.
Take a tip from the NYU Voice Center at the NYU School of
Medicine and breathe through your nose rather than your
mouth. When you breathe through your nose the air is
warmed and dampened before reaching your throat. Mouth-
breathing also causes excessive evaporation of the moisture in
your mouth. (Read more about natural remedies for dry
mouth.)
2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Help Treat Dry Eyes from Sjogren’s
Omega-3 fatty acids are good for dry eyes according to many
experts, and dry eyes are a big problem for Sjogren’s
sufferers. Studies show omega-3s, found in oily fish like
salmon, mackerel, sardines and fresh tuna as well as flaxseed
oil and canola oil, increase tear production and tear volume
and reduce inflammation. According to the results of a 2011
study from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical
Center at Dallas, people taking a dose of fish oil over a 90-day
period produced more tears which helped combat the effects
of dry eyes.
One study in 2005 at the Brigham and Women's Hospital and
Schepens Eye Research Institute found that eating five
servings of tuna a week resulted in a reduced risk of dry eyes
by up to 68 percent. If you suffer from Sjogren’s you may
benefit from filling your diet with servings of oily fish and
adding flaxseed oil to the mix.
3. Flaxseed Oil For Sjogren’s Syndrome
Flaxseed oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids. Evidence for the
benefits of flaxseed oil comes from a 2007 study by the
University of Brazil, among other studies. The Brazilian
research showed patients with Sjogren’s who took 1 or 2
grams of flaxseed oil a day experienced reduced inflammation
and an improvement in their dry eye symptoms.
4. Another Omega-3 Remedy for Sjogren’s: Evening Primrose
Oil
Evening primrose oil is also rich in essential fatty acids and
may help Sjogren’s sufferers with their dry eyes. Several
experts have looked into the power of evening primrose oil for
this purpose and one 1980 study by Horrobin and Campbell
(“Sjogren’s Syndrome and the Sicca Syndrome: the Role of
Prostaglandin E1 Deficiency. Treatment with Essential Fatty
Acids and Vitamin C”) showed evening primrose oil combined
with Vitamin C and Vitamin B6 improved dry eyes in patients
who suffered from Sjogren’s.
5. Can Castor Oil Eye Drops Help Sjogren’s Sufferers?
Castor oil may be something you associate with an old-
fashioned prevention of ailments but castor oil may help
relieve the discomfort of dry eyes. A 2002 study by the
Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, Chiba,
Japan shows that castor oil eye drops help improve the way in
which tears spread across your eye as well as prevent
excessive tear drop evaporation. (Read more about natural
remedies for dry eyes.)
6. Take Vitamin A as a Sjogren’s Remedy
Another eye drop solution comes with added Vitamin A,
according to a 2009 study by the Catholic University of Korea,
Seoul. Researchers found that eye drops containing Vitamin A
were as effective as traditional eye drops for treating patients
with dry eyes. You could try increasing the levels of Vitamin A
in your diet – find Vitamin A in sweet potatoes, carrots,
cantaloupe melons and yams.
7. Use Warm Compresses to Alleviate the Pain of Sjogren’s
Dry Eyes
Looking for an easy and quick way to relieve the discomfort
caused by dry eyes in Sjogren’s syndrome? Use a warm, moist
compress over your closed eye, which improves your tear
production and increases the thickness of your tear film,
moistening dry eyes. Studies including a 2006 paper from the
Tokyo Dental College, Chiba, Japan and a 2003 study from
Schepens Eye Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston
demonstrate the power of a warm compress to help improve
the symptoms of dry eyes.
8. Take N-Acetyl-L Cysteine as a Sjogren’s Treatment
A modified form of the dietary amino acid cysteine, called N-
Acetyl-L cysteine, is believed to be useful in treating dry eyes
caused by Sjogren’s. N-Acetyl-L cysteine is said to assist
Sjogren’s sufferers by helping the body produce antioxidants
as well as by combating symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth.
A 1986 study by Walters, Rubin and Keightley called “A
double-blind, cross-over, study of oral N-acetylcysteine in
Sjogren's syndrome” found 200 mg three times a day
improved dry eye symptoms, and to a lesser extent dry mouth
symptoms, in people with Sjogren’s syndrome.
9. A Combination of Herbs, Vitamins and Minerals Helps Treat
Sjogren’s
Of course, it is not only dry eyes that Sjogren’s sufferers need
to look after. Dry mouth is an irritating symptom that also
needs to be taken care of. A 1999 study from Bispebjerg
Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark showed a herbal supplement
containing rosemary, peppermint, paprika, hawthorn, pumpkin
seed and milfoil improved salivary flow in 44 people with
Sjogren’s syndrome who took the supplement for four
months.
10. Betaine for Sjogren’s Syndrome?
According to a 2003 study from the Institute of Dentistry,
University of Turku, Finland a detergent-free toothpaste
containing extract of betaine, a substance produced by your
body to aid in liver function, helped treat the symptoms of dry
mouth that plague Sjogren’s sufferers.
Related: Dry Eyes -Causes and Top 10 Natural Remedies /
Dry Mouth -Causes and Cures
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Cures / Inflammation-Secret to Disease / Blueberries Reduce
Belly Fat / Diet and Exercise -A Simple Plan for Life /
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