Sjögren’s syndrome affects over four million individuals worldwide, with more people who have not been diagnosed. Currently, the syndrome is treated by symptoms. But what if you could manage sjögren’s syndrome and feel better every day?
🔍 Defining Sjögren’s Syndrome
Imagine having a condition where your immune system attacks the glands in your body that produce and maintain moisture… that is what Sjögren’s syndrome sufferers experience daily.
Moisture is essential for your health. From lubricating your joints to keeping your eyes moist, fluids are taken for granted until your body can’t produce them.
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease. It is also chronic, meaning once you have it, it can’t be cured. Doctors treat the numerous symptoms. Dry mouth and dry eyes are the most common complaints.
The symptoms are similar to those of various other diseases, and it often takes years for individuals to receive a diagnosis. Individuals frequently feel depressed, angry, and anxious because there is no test to diagnose the disease, and the onslaught of symptoms makes their lives more difficult and reduces their quality of life.
Some factors put a person at higher risk for Sjögren’s syndrome; these include being female (it is estimated that 90% of those with this disease are female), being forty to sixty years old, genetics, family history of the disease, and hormones associated with menopause.
Untreated sjögren’s syndrome can lead to severe complications, including:
Issues with the neurological system that result in numbness and weakness, recurring eye and mouth infections, tumors of the lymph nodes, and changes in kidney and liver function. Despite the known complications, not everyone will get them.
There are two types of sjögren’s syndrome: Primary sjögren’s and Secondary Sjögren’s.
🧬 Sjögren’s Syndrome by Type
Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome is not caused by any other illness. It is intrinsic; it develops by itself.
Secondary Sjögren’s Syndrome is triggered by another medical condition, such as Lupus, infections like HPV, or Rheumatoid arthritis. These disorders create inflammation that experts believe causes sjögren’s syndrome.
Some factors put a person at higher risk for Sjögren’s syndrome; these include being female (it is estimated that 90% of those with this disease are female), being forty to sixty years old, genetics, family history of the disease, and hormones associated with menopause.
🔬 Sjögren’s Syndrome Causes
The causes of Sjögren’s syndrome apply to secondary sjögren’s as the primary type develops on its own.
The causes of sjögren’s syndrome are still being researched, but experts have linked autoimmune diseases such as Psoriatic arthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, and Lupus. Viral infections like COVID-19, Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Hepatitis C. While these conditions can trigger sjögren’s syndrome, it doesn’t mean you will get the syndrome.
💡 Symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome
In sjögren’s syndrome, the most common symptoms are dry nasal passages, which can result in frequent nosebleeds. A dry cough, dry, itchy eyes, a dry mouth, which can lead to mucosal sores, thick saliva, and cavities. Females always complain of vaginal dryness.
Other symptoms of sjögren’s syndrome can include heartburn, neuropathy, loss of taste and appetite, rashes on the skin, inability to focus or think, swallowing issues, swollen lymph nodes, joint and muscle pain, and extreme fatigue that can steal your energy and quality of life.
💊 Current Treatments for Sjögren’s Syndrome
The most important thing to remember about Sjögren’s syndrome is that treatments mainly focus on managing the symptoms. All treatments are designed to help individuals maintain as normal a life as possible. These treatments include:
- Saliva-producing lozenges sprays to keep the mouth moist and
- Fluoride treatments, prescription toothpaste, and mouthwash to avoid the dental complications that can arise
- Frequent dental appointments to ensure you don’t develop cavities or mouth sores
- Over-the-counter or prescription eyedrops and lubricants to keep your eyes moist
- Eye surgery to seal the tear ducts and maintain your natural eye moisture
- Prescription and OTC vaginal lubricants
- Estrogen therapy to alleviate vaginal dryness
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for pain relief and swelling
- Corticosteroids for inflammation
- Immunosuppressants to soothe the immune system and slow its activity
🌱 Using Stem Cells to Feel Better Every Day
Stem cells are used as a complementary treatment in combination with your current treatments.
Stem cells have the unique ability to become any cell in your body. They reduce inflammation by treating it at the cellular level, rejuvenate existing cells while producing new, healthy cells.
Sjögren’s syndrome and stem cells work in tandem to alleviate symptoms, restore your cells, and improve the quality of your life.
At the Stem Life Clinic, we use Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) harvested from Wharton’s jelly in the umbilical cord and the placenta post-delivery. These cells are placed in a sterile solution after testing, and you receive them as an IV. Once the stem cells are introduced into your body, they go where they are needed, where they repair cells that have been damaged, and reduce the inflammation that is causing many of the symptoms experienced in sjögren’s syndrome. The one thing that stem cells do that no other treatment does is generate new healthy stem cells. The effects of stem cells on the body last for months to years.
Unfortunately, not everyone is a good candidate for stem cell therapy. Consulting with our stem cell experts will help you and your doctor determine the best treatment for you. Stem cell use depends on the severity of the sjögren’s syndrome, past and current treatments, and your current health.
If you are seeking to enhance your quality of life due to an autoimmune disease, our stem cell therapy offers a significantly lower cost compared to its competitors in the US and Canada.
Our bilingual staff will pick you up at the airport and accompany you to appointments, assist you with completing the necessary paperwork, offer dining recommendations, and provide hotel suggestions. The beaches of Tijuana make it the perfect place to relax once you receive stem cells!
Using stem cells for Sjögren’s syndrome can help decrease your symptoms and give you back the quality of life you deserve! Contact us today and schedule a consultation!
