Sjogren's Syndrome Treatment

14 May 2010- Sjogren's Syndrome (with pronunciation "sho'grenz") also known as Sicca Syndrome, according to dictionary definition is, 'a chronic inflammation of the lachrymal and salivary glands, often accompanied by rheumatoid arthritis and the presence of autoantibodies in the blood, occurring chiefly among women.' As this definition explains, Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells attack and destroy the exocrine glands that produce tears and saliva. Sjogren Syndrome is more common in women above forty years of age. While Sjogren's syndrome may affect any body organ, it is particularly characterized by dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia)- popularly known as "sicca symptoms." More commonly, Sjogren's syndrome is known by names like Sjogren's disease, dry-mouth and dry-eyes disease, sicca complex, Mikulicz disease, and sicca syndrome. The disease gets its name from Henrik Sj?gren, a Swedish ophthalmologist, who first gave description of Sjogrens Syndrome.

Sjogren's Syndrome Causes

Sjogren's syndrome can be categorized into two types- Primary Sjogren's syndrome and Secondary Sjogren's syndrome. Primary Sjogren's syndrome can develop in its own right whose causes are unknown. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome may develop after years of having an associated rheumatic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, primary biliary cirrhosis etc.

Several viruses are also suspected to be the cause of the autoimmune reaction. The Sjogren's syndrome symptoms may also be caused by invasion and multiplication of white blood cells (lymphocytes) into the salivary glands and tear glands. These lymphocytes cause destruction to the gland tissue as a result of which they start malfunctioning leading to reduced production of tears and saliva. Sjogren's syndrome can also develop with certain cancers. Chemotherapy as well as radiation therapy to the head and neck can cause xerostomia or the disease of dry mouth.

Sjogren's Syndrome Symptoms

There are certain hallmark symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome.

• • Dry mouth
• • Dry eyes
• • Dry skin
• • Vaginal dryness (as well as dryness in nose)
• • Increased fatigue
• • Signs and symptoms related to rheumatic disorder
• • Muscular and joint pain
• • Kidney diseases
• • Many Sjogren's Syndrome patients also have IBS symptoms because of slow gastric transit

Sjogren's Syndrome Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome is rather a complex procedure due to the range of symptoms its patient might show. Similarities between symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome and those caused by other medical conditions make the diagnosis more difficult. However, when suspected, many tests are conducted to diagnose Sjogren's syndrome.

• • Blood tests- to see if the patient has high levels of antibodies indicating Sj?grens syndrome like anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (as Sjogren's Syndrome, many a times, occurs secondary to rheumatoid arthritis) associated with autoimmune diseases.
• • Schirmer test- to measure the production of tears. When a patient produces less than 5 millimeters of liquid, it is a sign indicating towards Sjogren's syndrome.
• • Slit-lamp test- As production of tears decline with age or can be impaired due to other medical conditions, a slit-lamp test is conducted to examine the dryness on the surface of the eye.
• • Saliva test- Salivary gland function also needs to be tested by collecting saliva and determining the amount of saliva produced by the patient having symptoms of Sj?grens syndrome.
• • Lip biopsy- it is conducted to see if lymphocytes are clustered around salivary glands that can damage these glands due to inflammation.
• • Ultrasound of salivary glands- During this test, parenchyma of the gland demonstrates multiple, small-2-6 mm hypoechoic lesions that are representations of the lymphocytic infiltrates. If Sjogren's syndrome is in its advanced stages, sialectasis with calculi are also shown. Sonography can accurately correlate the symptoms of Sj?grens syndrome.
• • Radiological test- it is also a reliable way for Sjogren's syndrome diagnosis. A contrast agent is injected into the parotid duct (of Stensen), which is a duct opening from the cheek into the vestibule of the mouth opposite the neck of the upper second molar tooth. Widespread puddling of the injected contrast scattered throughout the gland points towards Sjogren's syndrome.

Sjogren's Syndrome Herbal Ayurvedic Treatment

There is no established Sjogren's syndrome treatment. All the treatments for Sjogren's syndrome is done in order to provide relief to the patients from symptoms of the disease. Ayurvedic treatment of Sjogren syndrome also reduces the symptoms in order to relieve the patients of uncomfortable conditions. Many herbs and herbal preparations are used for treating the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome by Ayurveda.

Herbal preparation for dry eyes- Medicated herbal eye drops are prepared with the following herbs

• • Manjishtha (Rubia cordifolia)
• • Saariva (Hemidesmus indicus)
• • Haridra (Curcuma longa)
• • Amalaki Emblica officinalis
• • Daruharidra (Berberis aristata)
• • Chandan (Santalum album)
• • Sphatik (Purified alum)
• • Haritaki Terminalia chebula
• • Rose water
• • Karpur (Purified camphor)

Herbal preparation for dry mouth- Herbal medicines are prepared with the following herbs to cure dry mouth symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome

• • Yashtimadhuk (Glycerrhiza glabra)
• • Musta (Cyperus rotundus)
• • Parpat (Fumaria vaillantii)
• • Usheer (Vetiveria zizanioidis)

Herbal preparation for Lymph node and parotid gland- For this, herbal medicines are prepared with following herbs mostly in combination with Guggul

• • Kachnaar and Guggulu
• • Triphala andGuggulu
• • Panch-Tikta-Ghrut-Guggulu
• • Patol (Tricosanthe dioica)
• • Kutki (Picrorrhiza kurroa).

Herbal preparation for muscular and joint pain- The herbs used for making medicines for various pains related to Sjogren's syndrome include many analgesic herbs like the following

• • Trayodashang-Guggulu
• • Yograj-Guggulu
• • Vaat-Gajankush-Ras
• • Maha-Vaat-Vidhwans-Ras.

Herbal preparation for polyneuropathy and inflammation of the arteries- The herbal medicines for these symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome include

• • Kaishor-Guggulu
• • Tapyadi-Loh
• • Ekang-Veer-Ras
• • Chandrakala-Ras
• • Mahamanjishthadi-Qadha
• • Saarivadi-Churna
• • Bruhat-Vat-Chintamani

Herbal preparation for Dry skin and vaginal dryness- The herbal medicines for local application to cure these symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome include some medicated oils

• • Chandan- Bala-Laxadi oil
• • Mahanarayan oil
• • Mahamash oil
• • Mahasaindhavadi oil
• • Panch-Tikta-Ghrut
• • Shatadhout-Ghrut.

Herbal preparation for kidney diseases- There are separate herbal medicines for them

• • Chandraprabha-Vati
• • Gokshuradi-Guggulu
• • Punarnavadi-Qadha
• • Gomutra-Haritaki
• • Punarnavadi-Guggulu

The basic pathology of Sjogren's disease associated with the reduced or no secretions from several glands and organs. In order to treat this medical condition, Ayurveda prescribes 'Snehan' therapy for the patients for considerably longer periods. 'Snehan' therapy involves having high amount of milk and medicated ghee (clarified butter) such as Panch-Tikta-Ghrut, Yashtimadhuk-Ghrut and Dashmool-Ghrut. Saindhav or Yav-Kshar when added to these medicated ghee increase the therapeutic value of these herbal medicines for Sjogren's syndrome. The same medicines are also used to massage the entire body for treatment of Sjogren's syndrome symptoms.