According to the National Institutes of Health, Sjögren’s Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, airways and other parts of the body that produce fluids. The most common symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, which may not seem like a big deal until you have experienced them. The dryness is extreme; inability to speak or to swallow food without water; feeling as if you have foreign objects in your eyes; eyes bloodshot and swollen; inability to sleep; inability to breath due to swollen and congested sinuses. These symptoms alone are debilitating and life changing.
Most patients, however, have more symptoms as other parts of the body may be affected as well. Other common symptoms include extreme fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, nervous system, and lead to neuropathies and lymphomas in some patients.
It is estimated that there are over four million Americans currently living with this disease, making it one of the most prevalent of the autoimmune diseases. While it affects primarily women over the age of 40, it is also diagnosed in men and children of all ages.
Symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome
Sjögren’s syndrome can occur by itself or alongside other autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus. The classic symptoms of this disease are dry eyes and dry mouth. They may also include:
· Dry nasal passages and throat
· Dry cough
· Skin rashes
· Dry skin
· Vaginal dryness
· Muscle aches
· Muscle weakness
· Acid reflux
· Enlarged glands around the face and neck
· Difficulty sleeping
· Poor concentration and memory problems
· Numbness and tingling, primarily in the extremities
· Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
These symptoms can remain steady or worsen overtime. Other serious symptoms include profound fatigue, debilitating chronic pain, major organ involvement, neuropathies, and can lead to tooth decay, lymphoma cancer, cystic lung disease, interstitial lung disease, and amyloidosis.
Diagnosing Sjögren’s Syndrome
Diagnosing Sjögren’s syndrome is difficult because the symptoms are very similar to those of many other auto-immune diseases such as fibromyalgia, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Since all symptoms are not always present at the same time, often patients may remain undiagnosed for several years. They may be treating their dry mouth with their dentist, dry eyes with their eye doctor, and joint and muscle pain with their rheumatologist. Often, by the time they are formally diagnosed, patients have become completely debilitated from the disease.
There are no diagnostic tests specifically for Sjögren’s syndrome. There is a blood test to measure marker antibodies, however, these same antibodies are present in other autoimmune diseases. It is important to find a doctor that will perform a comprehensive medical history and tie all of your symptoms together to diagnose this disease.
Treatment for Sjögren’s
Traditional medicine offers no treatment or cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, but rather, offer ways to treat and manage the symptoms. These treatments may include over-the-counter remedies and prescription medications such as:
· Dry-eye prescription treatment
· Dry-mouth prescription treatment
· Saline nasal sprays
· Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAID’s)
· Corticosteroids (Prednisone)
· Humidifiers
At Utopia Wellness, we look to the root causes of Sjögren’s syndrome and treat those underlying causes. There is research that suggests a link between colon and gut health, stress, diet, vitamin deficiencies, and other imbalances in the body that lead to the development of Sjögren’s syndrome. We have developed a comprehensive and holistic program that addresses all of these issues. Our goal is to obtain complete remission for our patients, not merely manage the symptoms. Our treatment plan may include the following therapies:
· FAR Infrared Sauna
· Colon Therapy
· Lymphatic massage
· Vitamin Supplementation
· Dietary changes
· Traditional and Chinese Herbs
· Immune Enhancing IV Therapies
· Stress counseling
· Anti-viral medication
If you are interested in learning more about the treatment program for Sjogrens Syndrom at Utopia Wellness, call and schedule a consultation with our medical doctors at (727) 799-9060.
What our clients have to say about our program:
“Two years ago, I experienced a sudden onset of crazy symptoms following a VERY stressful time in my life. I am convinced it was the stress that triggered the Sjögren’s Syndrome. After a mentally and emotionally exhausting day that left me feeling as if I was having a meltdown, I woke up the next morning to salivary glands the size of walnuts, zero saliva, no tears, extreme fatigue, etc. The Physician's Assistant at Utopia Wellness used to work for a Rheumatologist and said my symptoms sounded exactly like those of all the Sjögren’s patients they used to see in their practice. I did have a CT scan of my jaw and neck by my dentist to rule out some other reason for my symptoms but after the test and examination, he agreed it was classic Sjögren’s. I immediately began a comprehensive treatment program at Utopia Wellness which included taking anti-fungals, anti-virals, numerous vitamins and supplements, working with the Clinical Herbalist to formulate herbal teas, and detoxed my colon with colon hydrotherapy. I also did high dose IV Vit C, lymphatic massage and worked with the mental health counselor to address my stress issues. I noticed a lessening of my symptoms a few weeks into the program. 6 weeks after starting on this journey, my symptoms completely disappeared. I stayed on the supplements and the herbal tea a few more weeks just to make sure but the symptoms have not come back. It is now 1.5 years later and I still have no symptoms of the disease at all. I am so grateful to Dr. Garcia and his staff for their help in healing from this “incurable” disease.” Tracy A.
