Sjogrens Disease Ayurvedic Treatment

It is an autoimmune condition characterised by dryness of eyes and mouth and often associated with other autoimmune disorders like systemic lupus erythematosus/ lupus, rheumatoid arthritis etc. The secretory cells and mucus membrane are affected first by the immune cells resulting in dryness. Genetics may play a vital role in the development of this syndrome.

Sjogrens Disease Signs and Symptoms

The main features of Sjogren’s syndrome are dry eyes, itching or burning sensation in eyes, dry mouth and difficulty to swallow or speak. Associated symptoms include joint pain, stiffness and swelling of joints, inflamed salivary glands, fatigue, dry skin, dry cough, skin rashes etc.

Sjogrens Disease Ayurvedic Analysis

Vitiation of rakta/pitta and vata causes derangements in the Vyadhikshamatwa of individual. Kapha is reduced. The oily and humid factors in the body are vitiated resulting in excess dryness. Vata is responsible for dryness in body. Vata and rakta/ pitta vitiation causes increased inflammation.

Sjogrens Disease Causative Factors (Ayurveda)

Alochakapitta (located in eyes, helps in vision), bhrajaka pitta (provides skin lusture, softness and sense of touch), bodhaka kapha (located in tongue and related with sense of taste), Tarpaka kapha (nourishes sense organs in head) and sleshaka kapha (lubricates joints) are vitiated along with vyana vayu. Excess intake of spicy, salty and sour food items/ incompatible food/ hot food, excessive exposure to heat, stress etc vitiate pitta. Over activity, improper sleep, excess intake of astringent/ bitter/ pungent tastes etc aggravate vata. Beejabhaga avayava dushti plays an important role in the manifestation of this condition. People with vata and pitta predominant prakrti have a low Vyadhikshamatwa and it cannot be changed.

Possible Complications of Sjogrens Disease

The common complications of Sjogren’s syndrome are dental caries, yeast infection in mouth, blurring of vision, light sensitivity, corneal damage etc. Some people may develop pneumonia, bronchitis, kidney diseases, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, lymphoma (a type of cancer affecting the lymph nodes), peripheral neuropathy (irritation of peripheral nerves resulting in numbness or tingling sensation in hands and feet) etc.

Other systemic diseases and precautions to be taken

Check whether there are any other autoimmune disorders (eg: rheumatoid arthritis, lupus etc) before planning the treatment.

Sjogrens Disease Management with Ayurveda Treatment

The management is focused on bring back the balance of Tridosha without hurting one’s prakrti, and improving Vyadhikshamatwa. Internal medications are given to remove ama (if present), improve agni (digestive fire), pacify aggravated vata and pitta, and increase kapha. Symptomatic care is needed to tackle the condition. Procedures like snehana (internal/ external/ both), swedana (mild sudation), nasya (nasal installation of medicine), virechana (purgation therapy), vasthi (enema with suitable drugs), raktamoksha (blood-letting) etc are provided as a general treatment. Specifically, Anjana (application of collyrium in eyes), ashchotana (eye drops), tarpana (nourishing therapy for eyes) etc are given to reduce dryness, itching and other difficulties in eyes; gandusha (gargling with suitable oil/ decoction), danta dhavana (special powdered medicines for brushing teeth) etc for healthy teeth and oral cavity; abhyanga (external application of medicinal oils over skin), lepana (application of suitable pasted drugs over skin), snana (medicinal bath) etc for alleviating skin problems etc can be provided. All these treatments are decided depending on the symptoms, state of dosha, prakrti of person and several other factors. Afterwards, rasayana therapy (to improve immunity, nourish the tissues and balance the Tridosha) should be provided.

Diet

Avoid the consumption of very hot and spicy food and drinks. Include more green vegetables, fruits (with less sugar), fruit juices, whole grains, ghee etc in diet. Drink plenty of water. Follow the instructions of physician before planning a diet.

Exercise

Mild tom moderate exercise can be done as per the guidance of the physician. Do eye exercises to avoid drying of eyes.

Sjogrens Disease Preventive Aspects in Ayurveda

It cannot be prevented as it is an autoimmune disorder. the main symptoms (dry eyes and dry mouth) can be prevented by Ayurvedic daily regimens like application of suitable eye drops/ Anjana, washing eyes frequently with plain water/ suitable decoction, gargling with appropriate oil/ decoction, abhyanga (external application of oil), lepana (external application of pasted medicine) on skin after bath, nasya (nasal instillation of medicines) etc.

Importance of Diet

Certain food items that aggravate pitta and vata should be avoided during and after treatment. Stick on to a soothing diet that provides balance of Tridosha.

Lifestyle

Avoid eye strain, stress, consumption of dry/ hot/ spicy food and drinks/ alcohol etc. Drink more water. Quit smoking. Avoid travelling too much as the skin and eyes may dry up. Use protective measures like eye drops, glasses, moisturisers etc.