Sjögren's Syndrome - Home Treatment

Home Treatment

Sjögren's syndrome is a disease that causes dry eyes and dry mouth. The following steps and treatments can be very helpful in relieving your symptoms and improving the quality of your life. Also, getting plenty of rest, eating well, and doing mild exercise daily play an important role in successful home treatment of this condition.

Eyes

• Use artificial teardrops throughout the day. Artificial tears come in different formulas, so if one type does not help, try another. Try to use preservative-free drops, which are less irritating to the eyes. Artificial tears are available in single-dose packets, which help to avoid bacterial contamination.
• Use lubricating ointments at night. Lubricants are thicker and last longer, so there is less burning, dryness, and itching when you wake up in the morning. Be aware that nighttime lubricants may temporarily blur your vision.
• Protect your eyes from wind, breeze, and drafts.
• Avoid smoke.
• Keep eye makeup away from your eyes.
• Use wraparound sunglasses to better protect your eyes from the sun and grit.

Mouth

• Drink fluids throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Keep water by your bedside at night. However, be aware that drinking large amounts of water does not reduce mouth dryness and causes excessive urination during the night. Try drinking small sips of water and rinsing your mouth frequently.
• Use artificial saliva substitutes (mouthwash or spray), which coat the mouth.
• Brush your teeth twice a day and after meals with fluoride toothpaste, and floss your teeth every day.
• Make frequent visits to the dentist to prevent and treat tooth decay.
• Use antiyeast medications to treat thrush, a yeast infection that develops in the mouth.
• Use sugar-free gum or candies such as lemon drops that naturally stimulate saliva production. (Sugar can increase your risk for cavities and yeast infections.)

Skin

• Use moisturizing skin creams or ointments throughout the day.
• Use only moisturizing soaps while bathing. After bathing, replenish the moisture in your skin by applying skin creams or ointments.
• Your skin may be extra-sensitive to the sun. Cover your skin when outside, and use SPF 15 or stronger sunscreen. For more information, see the Prevention section of the topic Sunburn.

Respiratory tract

• Place a humidifier (and an air purifier, if you feel it helps) in your home and at work to increase your comfort.
• Use nasal spray made of water and salt to alleviate a dry nose and nasal congestion.

Vagina

It is common for women with Sjögren's syndrome to experience vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Vaginal moisturizing products help to replenish natural moisture and relieve discomfort. These products include:

• Replens, a nonhormonal vaginal moisturizer that lasts for hours or even days.
• K-Y Silk-e.
• Vagisil Personal Moisturizer.

Vaginal lubricants can make intercourse more comfortable for you by relieving the friction you might experience if you have vaginal dryness. However, vaginal lubricants do not add moisture to the vagina and are not useful for everyday moisturizing. Look for a water-based lubricant instead of an oil-based lubricant, which can interfere with the vagina's natural cleansing process. Vaginal lubricants include:

• Astroglide.
• Wet Lubricant Gel.
• K-Y Jelly.
• Maxilube.
• Surgilube.

Stomach

• Take a nonprescription antacid or acid reducer, such as Pepcid AC or Zantac 75, when needed, to reduce heartburn.
• Raise the head of your bed 6 inches to reduce the backflow (reflux) of stomach acid into your esophagus when you sleep.
• See your health professional if you have heartburn or reflux that does not respond to self-care.

Energy (reducing fatigue)

• Listen to your body. Alternate rest with exercise. Gradually doing more exercise may help lower your fatigue.
• Limit medications that might contribute to fatigue, such as those used to treat anxiety, colds, or pain. However, do not stop or change your medication usage before talking with your health professional.
• Don't skip meals, especially breakfast. Improving your diet may increase your energy level.
• Reduce your use of caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol, which tend to contribute to fatigue.
• Cut back on watching television, and instead spend time with friends, try new activities, or travel to break the fatigue cycle.
• Get a good night's sleep. This may significantly reduce fatigue.

Your fatigue may be related to another health problem. Sjögren's syndrome may increase your risk of thyroid problems (hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism) and depression. Effective treatments for these health problems are available. You should see your health professional if you feel persistent fatigue.

Comfort (relieving inflammation and pain)

• Try daily gentle exercise—swimming in a warm pool may be good if your joints ache—and get plenty of rest every night to relieve aches.
• Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin or ibuprofen, can help reduce mild swelling and pain. See a health professional for severe swelling and pain in the glands, joints, and muscles, which may require a different medication or further evaluation.

Medication safety

Several types of medications can cause dryness or allergic reactions and can make your symptoms worse. Talk to your health professional if you are taking any of the following medications, but continue to take them unless advised to stop by your health professional:⁶

• Blood pressure medications
• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines
• Decongestants
• Diuretics
• Muscle spasm medications
• Bladder medications
• Heart medications
• Parkinson's disease medications

Other treatments that may help

More research is needed to determine the benefits and risks of these alternative treatments for Sjögren's syndrome.³

• Acupuncture. Some studies suggest that acupuncture might offer some improvement in dry eyes and dry mouth symptoms.
• Evening primrose. The oil of the evening primrose is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, whose mild anti-inflammatory properties may relieve the symptoms of dry eyes and dry mouth.

Before using any treatment for your symptoms, consider the risks and benefits. If you decide to use an alternative medication or supplement, follow these precautions.

• Talk with your health professional before taking an alternative medication or supplement, especially if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, take prescription medications, or have another health problem.
• As with all conventional medications and supplements, it is important to follow the directions on the label.
• Do not exceed the maximum recommended dose.

For more information on alternative medications and supplements, see the topic Complementary Medicine.