Home Remedies and Herbs for Sjogren’s Syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is a type of autoimmune disease, which means that your immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues.¹ In patients with Sjogren’s syndrome, the immune system attacks the glands responsible for producing saliva and tears.² In some cases, this immune response can also lead to damage of other tissues such as the thyroid, liver, lungs, joints, kidneys, nerves, and skin.³

What Causes Sjogren’s Syndrome?

Sjogren’s syndrome is caused by an abnormal immune response that attacks mucus-secreting glands. It’s not clear what causes the body to begin attacking its own tissues, but it’s thought to be linked to certain genetic components.³ Sjogren’s syndrome might also be triggered by infection, such as from bacteria or a virus. Sjogren’s syndrome is most common in women and people over the age of 40. It seems to be connected to other diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.¹

Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptoms

Sjogren’s syndrome causes dryness in the mouth and eyes as well as other moisture-rich areas like the throat and nose.¹ Dry eyes and dry mouth are the most common Sjogren’s syndrome symptoms, but other symptoms may include:

• Swollen salivary glands
• Persistent cough
• Prolonged fatigue
• Joint pain and swelling
• Skin rashes
• Dry skin
• Vaginal dryness

Sjogren’s syndrome complications may occur. In most cases, these complications affect your eyes and mouth, where symptoms begin. Complications may include dental cavities or oral thrush, which is a type of yeast infection in the mouth. These dental complications occur due to the lack of saliva Sjogren’s syndrome patients produce. There is also a risk of vision problems such as blurred vision, light sensitivity, or corneal damage from long-term dry eyes.³  

In rare cases, Sjogren’s syndrome patients may also experience lung, kidney, or liver problems.³ Sjogren’s syndrome appears to increase the risk of lymphoma, a type of cancer that affects the body’s lymph nodes. It may even lead to a nerve problem known as peripheral neuropathy, which causes tingling, numbness, and burning in the hands and feet.³

Sjogren’s syndrome is diagnosed through a variety of tests, including physical exams, blood tests, and biopsies. Treatment involves a variety of techniques used to manage the symptoms, such as using eye drops to relieve dry eyes. Medications may be prescribed in severe cases.¹ Various herbal and home remedies might also be used to help treat symptoms of dryness.

References

1. https://medlineplus.gov/sjogrenssyndrome.html
2. http://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/nord1051
3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sjogrens-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20353216