8 Proven Sjogren’s Syndrome Natural Treatments
If you are one of the millions of people living with Sjogren’s syndrome, you know how challenging it can be to manage the symptoms. From dry mouth and eyes to joint pain, gut problems, and fatigue, this autoimmune disorder can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming.
While there is no cure for Sjogren’s syndrome, there are natural treatments that can help ease the symptoms and improve your quality of life. In this article, I will explore seven proven natural treatments that I use in my clinic to help you manage the symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome, so you can feel your best and get back to enjoying life.
What Is Sjogren’s Syndrome?
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that affects the salivary and lacrimal glands, resulting in symptoms such as dry mouth and eyes. However, people often pay too much attention to the dry eyes and mouth and forget that it’s a systemic autoimmune disease that impacts a lot of different mucous membranes throughout the body besides the eyes and mouth. For example, there’s often severe lung involvement. Sjogren’s syndrome often affects the gut and sometimes even mucous membranes in the sinuses.
Symptoms of Sjogren’s Syndrome
The symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome and symptoms of Sjogren’s flare, can vary from person to person, and some people may experience more severe symptoms than others. A lot of people may not even realize their symptoms are being caused by this autoimmune disease.
Here are some symptoms of Sjogren’s:
• Digestive problems like leaky gut
• Dry eyes
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Gum and dental problems
• Headaches
• Joint pain
• Lung problems
• Sinus problems
What Causes Sjogren’s Syndrome?
As a functional medicine doctor, I look at Sjogren’s triggers to find out the root causes of Sjogren’s. Common triggers of Sjogren’s flares include:
• Hormone imbalances
• Lack of sleep
• Mental stress
• Microbiome imbalances that lead to gut problems
• Poor dietary choices.
Conventional Treatments for Sjogren’s Syndrome
Conventional treatments for Sjogren’s syndrome may include medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), steroids, and immunosuppressants. These medications suppress the immune system. They can help to reduce inflammation and manage the symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome. However, they can also have side effects such as stomach upset, weight gain, and increased risk of infections. In addition, some people may not respond well to conventional treatments or may prefer to avoid them due to the potential side effects.
Natural Treatments for Sjogren’s Syndrome
Natural treatments for Sjogren’s syndrome can help to manage the symptoms of the condition without the side effects associated with conventional treatments. Natural Sjogren’s treatments can also be used in conjunction with conventional treatments to provide additional relief. Taking a functional medicine approach means we address the root causes of Sjogren’s and not just the symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at the natural treatments for Sjogren’s we use at Caplan Health Institute.
Better Sleep
Sleep loss is a major source of stress on the body. It can drive inflammation and therefore contribute to Sjogren’s flares and be involved in developing the disease in the first place. Therefore, we work with patients on treating their insomnia.
Stress Reduction
Mental stress is a Sjogren’s trigger. Combining adaptogenic botanicals to soothe the adrenals and lower cortisol levels along with relaxation techniques can reduce stress in Sjogren’s patients. Mind-body therapies such as meditation, yoga, and tai chi can be beneficial for managing the symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome while reducing stress and anxiety. They can also improve overall health and well-being, which can have a positive impact on the symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome.
Reducing stress also can lead to better sleep, so you’re dealing with two inflammation-causing triggers at one time. It is important to find a qualified instructor who can provide safe and effective guidance to lower stress.
Eat the Right Type of Diet
Staying away from foods that cause inflammation like sugar and too many omega-6 fatty acids can prevent Sjogren’s flare-ups. Eating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon and fatty fish, and foods rich in antioxidants like fruits and vegetables will help calm your Sjogren’s symptoms. Certain drinks such as caffeine and alcohol also promote dryness, so avoid those. Instead, stay hydrated by drinking 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day.
Environmental Exposures
Exposure to environmental toxins such as chemicals and mold can put stress on the body and lead to autoimmune disease. Detoxifying the body can take away one more factor from the total body burden that’s throwing off your immune system balance. We help our patients identify and avoid toxic exposures.
Fixing Leaky Gut and Digestion
Since Sjogren’s syndrome affects mucous membranes, the gut is vulnerable to the effects of this autoimmune disease. For many—but not all Sjogren’s patients—the gut is the main driver behind their disease. It’s important to work with a functional medicine provider to get the right tests to pin down the root cause of your Sjogren’s. If leaky gut is playing a role, then probiotic supplements are critical, as well as eating a diet that will support a healthy digestive tract. Taking a probiotic lozenge can replenish healthy bacteria not only in the gut but also the microbiome in the mouth.
Hormone Imbalances and Insulin Resistance
Balancing hormones that may be outside of normal ranges and resolving insulin resistance, are two other ways to improve the health of people with Sjogren’s. Healthy levels of hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone are all important for optimal health in this group of patients.
Very few conventional doctors test for insulin resistance, so I recommend you work with a good functional medicine provider to determine your levels. Here are some suggestions on how to restore insulin sensitivity if you’re resistant to insulin.
Dealing with Dry Eye in Sjogren’s
Dry eye is one of the most common symptoms of Sjogren’s. There are two effective ways to deal with this problem. One of the best natural remedies for Sjogren’s is to take a fish oil supplement to boost your omega-3 fatty acid levels. Omega-3s from fish oil not only reduce inflammation, but studies also have shown that omega-3s can reduce dry eyes. In addition, Sjogren’s patients may be deficient in omega-3s.
A third benefit of omega-3s? They support regulatory T cells (Tregs). These are special immune T cells that calm down an overactive immune system and can turn off the autoimmune response. What’s more, omega-3s from fish oil not only reduce dry eyes, they can also lubricate other dry areas of the body.
Aim for 2 to 4 grams of omega-3s. Remember that fish oil sources of omega-3 are more potent than plant-based omega-3s. And make sure it’s a good brand. Burping up fish oil is a sign that it’s rancid.
While supporting lubrication from within the body with fish oil, you can also use nutritional eye drops to replenish the moisture and nutrients in the eyes.
Oral Hygiene in Sjogren’s
Practicing good oral hygiene can help to prevent dental problems associated with dry mouth. Good oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing, in addition to using a probiotic lozenge.
We Can Guide You Toward Sjogren’s Syndrome Natural Remedies
Sign up for a free 15-minute discovery consultation with the Caplan Health Institute so we can dig down into the root cause (or causes) of your Sjogren’s syndrome. If you come on board as a patient, I can order the right tests to pinpoint that cause and then take steps to get rid of it, whether it’s gut health, poor sleep, diet, hormonal imbalance, or environmental toxins.
Whatever the cause for your Sjogren’s, we’ll put into practice the most effective Sjogren’s syndrome natural cures. The result? You’ll have more energy, get rid of dry eyes and mouth, and put a stop to your autoimmune disease.
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