Did you know that 4 million Americans are affected by Sjorgren’s syndrome every year? Sjorgren’s syndrome is a little-known autoimmune disease whereby the body attacks its own mucous membrane tissues including saliva glands and tear glands as if they were foreign to the body. There is no cure at this time.
It is said that alternative treatments, when employed in conjunction with traditional medications, can bring the sufferers a better quality of life, but neither is a cure. All treatments, whether conventional or alternative, are focused on treating the condition by rehydrating the affected mucous membrane tissues, and on strengthening the immune system.
Sjorgren’s syndrome presents itself as dry mouth, dry eyes, and-for women-dryness in the vaginal area, as well. Swallowing can be difficult due to dry mouth and speech may also be impaired. Taste is desensitized and diminished and sufferers have a tendency to develop more cavities. Dry eyes result in itching, irritation, burning, and sensitivity to light.
Dry skin, rashes, fatigue, and joint pain are also common. There are some medications that can assist with the dryness of the mouth and eyes; however, these medications are only effective for the duration they are being used. In other words, they must be reapplied frequently to maintain the moisturizing effect.
The alternative treatments that are popular include: acupuncture, herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and homeopathy. The small amount of research that has been conducted into alternative remedies for Sjorgren’s syndrome suggests that Willow Bark can be used effectively to counter the dryness of mouth which then helps to improve speech, and minimize cavity formation. Damage to the taste buds can be more lasting. The same research has also suggested that supplements containing the fatty oil Omega 3 are helpful in treating dry eyes.
You can also help control the symptoms of Sjorgren’s syndrome by controlling your home and personal environment. Utilize a humidifier to add humidity to the air in your home, drink lots of liquids to hydrate your mouth and body, and use lotion to keep your skin moist and hydrated. For women, keep vaginal creams available to relieve discomfort as needed.
In addition, it is also helpful to eliminate or minimize drafts in your home or office. Fans, drafts, and anything causing rapid air movement exacerbate the drying effects in people with Sjorgren’s syndrome. The eyes, mouth, and nasal passages are most susceptible. Some people benefit from wearing a mask when they sleep. Others find warm, wet compresses helpful for dry eyes. Over-the-counter eye creams and drops can also help moisten the eyes. If you will be focusing on paperwork for long periods of time, take frequent breaks and apply eye drops to remoisten eyes as needed.
Sjorgren’s syndrome can have potentially debilitating and lasting effects if not properly treated. Corneal damage and tooth decay are just two of the potential problems you want to avoid. So work with your physician and also a dentist/dental surgeon or opthalmologist to get the care you need to stay as healthy as you can. Medications and treatment are available, and you want to use them if they provide you with relief from symptoms. You also want to learn about new and alternative treatments as they become available so you can continue to enjoy your life.
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