Sjogren’s Disease

Sjögren’s Syndrome is one such disorder. It’s the third most prevalent rheumatic disorder right after systematic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. In fact, it’s so common that it affects 3% of the global population, statistics show.

Even though there is no cure, the health problem can be controlled and managed. Recently, however, more and more people have been interested in trying out an alternative form of treatment. In an effort to ditch the chemicals and potential side effects, many decided to try traditional Chinese medicine. But the question is, can it treat SJögren’s Syndrome?

Here, we decided to answer all the questions for you. Let’s take a closer look at the statistical analysis for SJögren’s Syndrome and how can traditional Chinese medicine help?

What Is Sjogren’s Disease?

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an incredibly prevalent disease that infects more than 3 million people in the U.S., 9 out of 10 of those affected are females, stated the Hindawi Journal.

This disorder is known for attacking the lubricating secretions in the human body, particularly the glands responsible for producing saliva and tears. When these glands lose their function, the body is unable to produce moisture for the mouth and eyes.

The condition is divided into two stages, secondary or primary. In the primary stage, an individual doesn’t have another autoimmune disorder. Usually, it’s the most aggressive stage with extreme dryness. If the condition is in the secondary stage, it means the individual also has another disorder that attacks the immune system.

Symptoms

There are two main ways to recognize the disorder through the eyes and mouth. The most typical signs are dry mouth and dry eyes; however, some people may experience a range of different symptoms as well.

Patients can recognize the symptoms if they experience any of the following:

• Burning in the eyes (feeling as if you have sand in them)
• Trouble swallowing or talking
• Stiff, swollen, and painful joints
• Constant coughing (dry cough)
• Puffy salivary glands
• Rashes on the skin
• Extended fatigue
• Dry vagina

Conventional Treatment 

Since there is no cure for the disorder, conventional medicine will include:

• Proper drugs for alleviating the symptoms
• Immunosuppressive medication
• Additional medication (antibiotics, vitamins, etc.)

 

The most typical approach to manage the dryness in the eyes is with saline drops and artificial tears. For more serious and debilitating symptoms, a doctor can prescribe stronger medication.

The muscle or joint pain is usually managed with anti-inflammatory medication, like ibuprofen and Hydroxychloroquine. If the condition progresses to the internal organs, a doctor might recommend using corticosteroids to get the immune system back on track.

But, due to the serious potential side effects, many people are interested in alternative treatments with a more natural approach.

How Can Chinese Medicine Help?

Our body needs healthy fluid production. The amount of fluid your system produces will directly impact the strength of your Qi, the vital force of energy.

When the body experiences a severe dryness, that means the system has been depleted of Qi—therefore reducing the production of fluids and constantly increasing the heat, which ends up drying the little fluid left. This common pattern can result in very uncomfortable and debilitating symptoms.

Traditional Chinese practices can be effective in soothing the symptoms. Whether it’s acupuncture or herbal medicine, they can be a useful approach for managing the condition.

Acupuncture is a treatment specifically tailored towards a certain individual. That means, depending on the health condition, the treatment can be managed to create a treatment plan best suited for that individual.

Herbal practices promote fluid production, improve the Qi, and balance out the heat. In other words, both of these treatments strengthen and regulate the entire system. But, most importantly, they don’t use any chemicals or result in serious side effects.

What Makes Traditional Chinese Medicine Any Good?

Plenty of research has demonstrated the positive impact of traditional Chinese medicine for managing this autoimmune health disorder.

One particular research published in the Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine focused on comparing the effects of conventional medicine with traditional Chinese practices. After 31 trials and more than 2100 cases evaluated, the results were evident. The preliminary research showed traditional Chinese medicine effect rate was around 87% and western medicine at roughly 65%. Even though more research is necessary to confirm the full extent of this treatment, so far, the advantages have been overwhelming.

Another study issued by the Healthcare Medicine Institute showed similar results. When herbal medicine is combined with acupuncture, it can surpass immunomodulatory medication for this health disorder. The effective rate in the herbs and acupuncture testing group in managing the Sjögren syndrome was 83.33%, while the drug group noticed only a 60% effective rate.

Overall, traditional Chinese medicine seems like a solid approach for managing Sjögren syndrome. And the evidence supports the impact of these treatments. Even though more research is necessary to analyze the full extent of these ancient Chinese practices, it’s definitely worth a try.

Sunrise Neuro-Acupuncture Integrative clinic provides care for  sjögren’s syndrome. If you would like to receive more information about this treatment or to book an appointment, you can call us at 613-853-9099