According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), up to four million Americans are currently living with Sjogren’s syndrome. While the illness has characteristic symptoms, that doesn’t mean it will affect everyone in the same way. That’s why it’s important to create a personalized routine that keeps you healthy and happy.
Humidifiers are a great way to ensure that there is enough moisture in the air around you. In that way, your environment won’t dry out your skin, nose, or eyes. They may be most helpful in the winter months, but you should use them daily. It’s recommended that you keep the humidity between 40 and 60 percent, depending on the level of humidity in your home. If possible, ask your employers about bringing a humidifier to work as well.
RELATED: 5 Reasons Why Everyone Should Invest in A Humidifier
It’s essential to stay as hydrated as possible with this condition. While the average person may be thinking about only drinking water when thirsty, doctors recommend that you keep sipping on water regularly. That means keeping a water bottle handy and including water-rich fruits and vegetables in your diet. Watermelon and cucumber are great options.
Of course, staying hydrated can help with your digestion. Additionally, eating more fruits and vegetables can lead to balanced meals that boost your daily energy levels.
RELATED: 10 Reasons Why You Should Drink More Water
Drinking water isn’t the only way to keep your mouth from getting dry. Sugar-free gum or sugar-free hard candy can do double duty for you. Not only do they help to increase saliva protection, but they may also reduce your risk of developing cavities if they contain the artificial sweetener xylitol.
While you may remember to keep applying lotion or cream to your hands, other parts of your body–like your ears–may be forgotten. Unfortunately, that won’t make them any less dry or itchy. Using mineral oil on them can keep your ears moisturized for an even longer period than if you used lotion or a common moisturizing cream.
Placing a warm, wet washcloth on your eyes for five to 10 minutes before bedtime and when you wake up can help your eyes to produce much-needed oils to keep them moisturized. If you can’t use a washcloth, a microwavable mask can work as well.
Oil pulling can provide several benefits for your dental hygiene. According to a few studies, doing it before you brush your teeth in the morning can reduce dry mouth, plaque, gingivitis, and bad breath significantly. While you can use any thick oil for this, a lot of people prefer coconut oil because of its pleasant taste.
To do oil pulling, swish around about a teaspoonful of oil in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. After that, you spit out the oil and brush your teeth as you normally would. If your mouth is particularly sore, try applying coconut oil or vitamin E oil directly to the affected areas for long-lasting relief.
RELATED: Benefits of Oil Pulling
The few minutes after your daily shower or bath are crucial for sealing in moisture. While your skin is still damp, you can use bath oil, petroleum jelly, safflower oil, or olive oil to seal it in. Alternatively, skincare products that contain glycerin, lactic acid, urea, or alpha-hydroxy acids are great for maintaining moisture.
Your quality of life with Sjorgen’s also includes knowing what to avoid. Given its symptoms, anything that dries out your body is an instant no-no. You should stay away from smoking, having drinks that contain caffeine, and drinking alcohol, as they remove moisture from your body. You shouldn’t even be around people who are smoking, as the smoke causes saliva to evaporate rapidly.
When it comes to food, doctors suggest that you don’t eat anything too salty, spicy, or acidic, as they can dry out your mouth while also being difficult to digest. Carbonated drinks can be a problem for your stomach, too.
It’s also best to avoid smoky or dusty environments that will irritate your eyes and mouth. Low-humidity areas with fans or air conditioning will also make dryness worse, so you should stay away from those.
While mouthwash can be a great part of your oral hygiene, you have to choose the right one. Any mouthwash with alcohol or witch hazel is going to dry out your mouth. Using them can make you even more uncomfortable and give you a higher threshold to reach when fighting dry mouth for the rest of the day.
If you’re going outside, you should always wear sunscreen and sunglasses. The sunscreen will not only protect your skin from the sun’s rays, but it will also keep your skin moisturized. The glasses will protect your eyes, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to apply eye drops as needed. Glasses with an FL-41 filter can also help to protect your eyes from sunlight. Even with this protection, though, you shouldn’t spend too much time in the sun.
It’s critical to protect your skin from irritants that will dry out your skin. Depending on how your body reacts to chemicals, that can mean wearing protective gloves when doing household chores and avoiding fabric softeners in your laundry.
Finally, if you wear eye makeup, you need to be careful with how much you use and what kind. Excessive makeup can dry out your skin and eyes. Given that anything you place on your eyelids can eventually get into your tear film and interfere with how well your eyes stay moisturized, it may be better not to wear anything on your eyes. If you do, it should be minimal or removed quickly. You shouldn’t wear any creams on your eyelids when it’s time for bed.
Although millions of people are living with Sjogren’s syndrome, managing it definitely isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ deal. Creating a daily routine that works for you can go a long way to ensure that you’re living your best life, regardless of what your condition wants to throw your way.
By subscribing, you consent to receive emails from BlackDoctor.com. You may unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy & Terms of Service.
