All About Sjogren’s Syndrome and its Ayurvedic Treatment; Venus Williams also Struggled with it

Abstract

Sjogren’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that produce moisture in the mouth, eyes and other body parts. It is commonly presented with dryness in the mouth and eyes. This condition develops when white blood cells enter the salivary glands, tear glands, and other exocrine tissues; Due to which the production of saliva and tears reduces. This disorder can also cause dryness in other parts of the body – such as the nose, throat and skin – that require moisture. The phenomenon of Sjogren’s disease is usually associated with women with the age of 40 years and above this. Sjogren’s syndrome is sometimes linked with other diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus). It can also lead to certain health conditions like yeast infection, vision problems, etc. Venus Williams is also suffering from sjogren’s disease. In this article we will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, risk factors and treatment as per modern and Ayurveda approach.

Introduction

Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disorder most commonly associated with dryness in the eyes and mouth. Sjogren’s syndrome is a rare disorder, accounting for about half the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or affecting 0.5% to 1.0% of the population. Around 400,000 and 3.1 million people have Sjogren’s syndrome. This condition can affect any age, but symptoms usually appear between 45 and 55 years. Most of the time, Sjögren’s syndrome does not affect a person’s overall health or life expectancy. However, the immune system can sometimes attack other tissues or organs, causing complications. This included inflammation of the connective tissues, joints and muscles. When this occurs these conditions are known as rheumatic conditions. These include rheumatoid arthritis and SLE. Sjogren’s syndrome is a serious condition. However, timely treatment can mean that complications are less likely to develop, and tissue damage is less likely to occur.

Signs And Symptoms

The main two symptoms of Sjogren’s disease are dryness of eyes and dryness of mouth but some of the patients may also experience some other symptoms like:

• Dry Skin
• Dry Vagina
• Joint Pain
• Muscle Pain
• Fatigue
• Skin rashes
• Tooth decay
• Heartburn
• Indigestion
• Dry throat
• Dry nose
• Trouble swallowing

Types

There are two types of sjogren’s disease:

1. Primary Sjogren’s Disease: It occurs when there is no presence of other conditions.
2. Secondary Sjogren’s Disease: It occurs when there are other rheumatic problems.

Causes

Sjogren’s disease is an autoimmune disorder and autoimmune disorder occurs when our immune system mistakenly damages our body instead of protecting it. Viral infections can trigger secondary sjogren’s disease like:

• Hepatitis C
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

And other autoimmune disorders trigger secondary sjogren’s disease like

1. Rheumatoid Arthritis
2. Psoriatic Arthritis
3. SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

Risk Factors

1. Sex: Women are prone to sjogren’s disease
2. Other Autoimmune Disorder: People with other autoimmune disorders have might chance of sjogren’s syndrome
3. Age: Children, adults and age of above 55 years can have sjogren’s syndrome but it usually develops in adults

Ayurveda View

In ayurveda, all autoimmune disorders always have an association of Rakta dhatu and imbalance of tridosha. In sjogren’s disease the symptom dryness can be correlated with increase of Ruksha guna of Vata dosha and other symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain and joints pain etc indicates the presence of ama with vata. And symptoms like heartburn, skin rashes can be correlated with increase in pitta dosha.

Treatment

Ayurveda uses natural methods to treat sjogren’s disease such as panchakarma therapy.

1. Snehana (Oleation therapy)
2. Swedana (Sudation therapy)
3. Nasya (Nasal instillation of medicinal herbs)
4. Raktamokshana (Blood letting therapy)
5. Lepa (Application of suitable herbal medications on body)
6. Anjana (Application of collyrium in eyes)
7. Ashchotan (Eye drops)
8. Tarpana (Nourishing therapy for eyes)
9. Gandusha (Gargling with medicated oil)
10. Rasayana (Rejuvenating therapy)

Journey of Venus Williams with Sjogren’s Disease

He was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called sjogren’s syndrome in 2011. In 2004, Williams started to experience symptoms like fatigue, and shortness of breath, etc. and after 7 years with ongoing symptoms she was diagnosed with sjogren’s disease. She took medication treatment and along with treatment, she tried to improve her recovery by adopting a vegan diet, which she still follows. She said an autoimmune disorder would be better with lifestyle changes and a healthy diet.

Herbal Formulations for Sjogren Syndrome by Planet Ayurveda

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP certified company that offers herbal formulations/ supplements that are formed by using the ancient methods. Planet Ayurveda has an amazing combination of herbal remedies that act on Sjogren’s disease and that is Sjogren’s Syndrome Care Pack. It contains 5 herbal formulations. These herbal remedies are prepared from using the best quality and strictly follow the principles of Ayurveda. They are:

1. Green Essentials
2. Youth Restora
3. Boswellia Curcumin
4. Shilajit Capsules
5. Ashwagandha Capsules

Products Description

1. Green Essentials

This herbal formulation consists of various herbs that acts well on Sjogren’s symptoms like wheat grass (Triticulum Aestivum), grape seed (Vitis Vinifera), amla (Emblica officinalis), etc. Wheatgrass (Triticulum aestivum). It contains the herbs that helps to balance all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) and also helps in boosting the immune system. It also manages the dryness that is the main symptom of Sjogren’s disease. It has antioxidant properties that help in managing Sjogren’s disease.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice daily after meals.

2. Youth Restora

Youth Restora capsules contains various herbs like Ground Amla (Phyllanthus niruri), Green Tea (Camellia sinensis), Grape Seed (Vitis vinifera) and Cow Colostrum (Bovine Colostrum). They are very useful in managing the symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome as the herbs that are present in these capsules contain vitamins and minerals. It helps in boosting the immunity and also helps in balancing the three doshas.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice daily after meals.

3. Boswellia Curcumin

Boswellia curcumin capsules consist of two antioxidant and anti-inflammatory herbs Shallaki (Boswellia serrata) and curcumin (Curcumin longa). These capsules are beneficial in the management of Sjogren’s syndrome as both herbs contain the properties to treat muscle pain, manage inflammation in joints, improve the immune system, reduce inflammation, relieve muscle disorders and treat musculoskeletal conditions.

Dosage: 2 Capsules twice daily after meals.

4. Shilajit Capsules

These capsules are prepared from standardised extract of Shilajit herb (Asphaltum punjabianum), which is considered to be an excellent adaptogen, rejuvenating, restorative and rasayana. The use of these capsules is beneficial for patients suffering from Sjögren’s syndrome as Shilajit can support the immune system, keep the skin healthy, purify the blood, strengthen the muscles, and regenerate brain cells. It can also rejuvenate, improve body metabolism and eliminate toxins from the body.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice daily after meals.

5. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules are prepared from standardised extract of Ashwagandha herb (Withania somnifera), which has anti-inflammatory properties. It has the ability to reduce metabolic imbalance, boost immunity, reduce pain and inflammation, strengthen muscles, rejuvenate the body and balance the vata and pitta doshas of the body.

Dosage: 1 Capsule twice daily after meals.

Conclusion

Sjogren’s Disease is an autoimmune disorder and caused by vitiation of tridosha predominately by the vitiation of Vata and Pitta dosha and along with this there is also accumulation of ama. Along with the treatment, lifestyle changes and a healthy diet, sjogren’s disease would be better. It can be very well manageable by ayurvedic approaches like panchakarma therapy and herbal medications. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will enhance the quality of life.Planet Ayurveda opens a new gate for treatment of migraine through their holistic approaches in an era where there is no permanent cure for sjogren’s disease.