Sjogren's Syndrome

 Can Alternative Medicine Help?

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, in which there is immune-mediated  destruction of the lacrimal and salivary glands.Glands that lubricate the skin, nasal cavity, throat, and vagina may also be affected.

The condition is more common in females than males, and usually occurs between the ages of 40 to 60.About 75% of patients have rheumatoid factor in their blood, and 70% have antinuclear antibodies.

Scientists consider a viral infection may be the trigger, all it needs is a host with a predisposition to this autoimmune disease.

Sjogren's syndrome is characterized by dryness of the eyes, and mouth caused by chronic dysfunction of the exocrine glands.The presenting symptoms may be burning and itching eyes, dry eyes, difficulty speaking and swallowing, and a high incidence of dental caries.Some people develop joint problems similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

There can be GI manifestations, pericarditis, lung infections,renal involvement, and an increased incidence of lymphoma in some patients.

There are a number of tests used to diagnose Sjogren's syndrome:Blood tests can be done to determine if a patient has high levels of antibodies that are indicative of the condition, such as anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (because SS frequently occurs secondary to rheumatoid arthritis), which are associated with autoimmune diseases.

The Schirmer test measures the production of tears: a strip of filter paper is held inside the lower eyelid for five minutes, and its wetness is then measured with a ruler. A slit-lamp examination is done to look for dryness on the surface of the eye. Salivary gland function can be tested by collecting saliva and determining the amount produced. A lip biopsy can reveal lymphocytes clustered around salivary glands, and damage to these glands due to inflammation.

A radiological procedure can also be used as a reliable and accurate way of diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome.

No specific medical treatment is available to treat the condition. Artificial tears may be prescribed, corticosteroid may be used to alleviate severe symptoms.

Alternative Medical Treatment

Since there is a possibility that a particular substance you may be ingesting could be a trigger to Sjogren's Syndrome, or at least add to exacerbations of it, it would be worthwhile having an allergy test .Prescription drugs that you may be taking now or have taken in the past could have been a trigger. Vegetables from the nightshade family, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, potatoes, might have to be eliminated from the diet.

Homeopathy should be given some serious consideration as a modality for treating Sjogren's Syndrome. Since there is no specific medical treatment, you would have nothing to lose, and absolutely everything to gain by visiting an homeopath. Many doctors in the US practice homeopathy, so if you feel more secure with conventional medicine, then a doctor homeopath would be right for you.

A diet of fresh  organic fruit, vegetables, wholegrains, and yoghurt  is essential to regaining your health.Because one manifestation of this disease is a dry mouth, then fruits and vegetables could be juiced, and so shouldn't present too much of a problem.All food should be fresh and organically grown, avoid all packaged foods.

 Do not drink sodas, particularly diet sodas.Avoid all sugar substitutes, they are known to cause many health problems,also MSG has been proven to be an allergen for some people.

If you only eat fresh food, then it's unlikely you'll be having  foods with sugar substitutes, MSG, and other chemical additives.

Avoid saturated fats, have  freshly ground flaxseed, borage oil,evening primrose oil, and virgin olive oil should be consumed,these oils have ant-inflammatory properties.

Make an effort to include fresh wheatgrass juice in your diet

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References:Forbes,Charles & Jackson William. Color Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine 2nd edition published Mosby-Wolf 1997.

McCance Kathryn L & Huether Sue e, Pathphysiology, The Biologic Basis for Disease in Adults and Children. Published The C.V. Mosby Company.1990.

Chandrasoma Parakrama & Taylor Clive. Concise Pathology first edition published Prentice-Hall International Inc.1991.