Living with Sjögren Syndrome, tips to get better

Unfortunately, Sjögren’s syndrome is a common but still unknown disease. It is estimated that it affects five out of every 100 thousand inhabitants, being more frequent in women between 45 and 55 years old. It is an autoimmune and systemic disease, which produces dryness in the mucous membranes and damage to the internal organs.

In this new blog entry we will give you some recommendations for living with Sjögren’s syndrome, the disease in which the immune system attacks its own mucous membranes.

What is Sjögren’s syndrome?

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease. This means that there is no cure, but less medical complications can be experienced if you lead a healthy lifestyle and follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor, which could be eye drops, ointments to replace tears, medications to stimulate saliva, care for your mouth, among others.

By what other names is it known?

Sjögren’s syndrome is abbreviated as SS. Because Sjögren’s syndrome symptoms closely resemble those of other diseases, such as dry eye syndrome, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosis can take several years. For this reason, having routine visits to the doctor and performing clinical tests will help the specialist detect changes in your body and make a timely diagnosis.

In addition, if you suffer from other diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis or hypothyroidism, which are also associated with dryness, it is important that they receive the appropriate treatment so that they do not complicate the symptoms.

General recommendations to combat the symptoms

1. Use hot and cold compresses (alternating) to relieve muscle and joint pain associated with Sjögren’s syndrome. Heat helps relax muscles and joint stiffness, while cold helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
2. Rest! Nobody knows your body better than you, and if you need to rest, take a few moments for yourself. Remember that in Sjögren’s syndrome it is common to feel chronic fatigue and joint pain. Try to sleep your eight hours a day and take breaks throughout your workday.
3. Keep hydrated. Hydration is key in Sjögren’s syndrome, this includes the water you drink throughout the day, but also the consumption of foods rich in water, the use of emollient creams and a humidifier to keep the environment in your home moist.
4. Reduce the consumption of caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and other products that cause dehydration.
5. Use nasal sprays and gels to keep your nose moist and prevent stuffiness.
6. Wear sunglasses to go outside and protect your eyes from the dust, air and fans of shopping malls.
7. If you have trouble swallowing, eat soft, moist foods, make sure vegetables are well cooked, and cut hard fruits like apples into very small pieces. Sugar-free hard candies are recommended to help stimulate saliva.
8. Drink water in small sips throughout the day to stay hydrated.
9. Avoid the use of mouthwashes with alcohol and other products for your mouth that could cause irritation.
10. Avoid Smoking and stay away from smokers because cigarette smoke accelerates the saliva evaporation.
11. Breathe through your nose and not through your mouth.
12. Respect your meal times and maintain a healthy diet.
13. Keep a moisturizing hand cream close to you to apply several times throughout the day.
14. Protect yourself from the sun! Use sunscreen when you go outside, even if it’s cloudy! Wear an umbrella, sunglasses, a hat, and light long sleeved clothing.

Mesenchymal stem cell treatment

The cell regeneration potential of mesenchymal stem cells, the regulation of the control of the immune system and the immunomodulatory properties open up an opportunity for recovery, reduction of inflammatory reactions and improvement in the quality of life of patients affected by Sjögren’s syndrome. In addition, the use of autologous cells avoids the risk of rejection of the recipient, as well as the need for genetic compatibility studies.

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