Sjögren’s Syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a relatively high incidence. It primarily affects the body’s exocrine glands. In addition to signs and symptoms such as dry mouth and dry eyes, which result from impaired salivary and lacrimal gland function, it may also involve multiple systems, including the respiratory, urinary, nervous, hematologic, endocrine, and digestive systems. The disease is classified as either primary or secondary. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome occurs in the absence of another clearly diagnosed connective tissue disease; secondary Sjögren’s syndrome occurs in association with another clearly diagnosed connective tissue disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus or rheumatoid arthritis.
There is no disease name in classical Chinese medicine that directly corresponds to “Sjögren’s syndrome.” However, based on research by practitioners throughout history, the condition is currently considered within the scope of “dryness impediment” (zao bi) in Chinese medicine.

TCM Pattern Identification and Medication Reference

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Dry, gritty eyes; dry mouth and throat; irritability and a sensation of heat in the palms, soles, and chest; a red tongue with a scant or absent coating; and a wiry, fine, rapid pulse.

In everyday terms:

  • Both eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
  • The mouth and throat feel dry, with a persistent sensation of dryness.
  • The palms, soles, and chest often feel warm.
  • The tongue appears somewhat red, with very little or almost no coating.
  • The pulse feels taut, fine, and somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Tonify the liver and kidneys, nourish Yin, and moisten dryness.

In everyday terms:

  • Support the liver and kidneys, which may help ease discomforts such as dizziness, ringing in the ears, soreness or weakness in the lower back and knees, or low energy.
  • Nourish Yin fluids and moisten dryness and heat, which may help ease symptoms such as dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, irritability, or night sweats.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Dry, gritty eyes; dry mouth and throat; fatigue and spontaneous sweating; a red, thin, dry tongue with a scant or absent coating; and a fine, rapid pulse.

In everyday terms:

  • Both eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
  • The mouth and throat feel dry, with a persistent sensation of dryness.
  • You may tire easily, feel weak, and sweat readily.
  • The tongue appears somewhat red, thin, and dry.
  • There is very little or almost no coating on the tongue.
  • The pulse feels fine and somewhat rapid.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Supplement Qi and nourish Yin, moisten dryness, and promote the production of body fluids.

In everyday terms:

  • Support the body’s Qi and nourish Yin, which may help ease discomforts such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dry mouth and tongue, or a sensation of heat in the body.
  • Moisten dryness and heat and promote the production of body fluids, which may help ease symptoms such as dry skin, insufficient body fluids, or thirst with frequent drinking.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Dry, gritty eyes; dry mouth and throat; a dull complexion; purple spots on the skin; a pale, dusky tongue with a scant or absent coating; and a weak, choppy pulse.

In everyday terms:

  • Both eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
  • The mouth and throat feel dry, with a persistent sensation of dryness.
  • The complexion looks dull and lacks radiance.
  • Purple spots or patches appear on the skin.
  • The tongue looks pale and dusky.
  • There is very little or almost no coating on the tongue.
  • The pulse feels weak and sluggish.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Nourish Yin and moisten dryness, resolve blood stasis, and unblock the channels.

In everyday terms:

  • Nourish Yin fluids and moisten dryness and heat, which may help ease discomforts such as dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, irritability, or night sweats.
  • Address blood stasis and promote the flow of Qi through the channels, which may help ease symptoms such as painful areas of discoloration, numbness in the limbs, or restricted joint movement.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

|Common Symptoms

Clinical description:

Dry, gritty eyes; dry mouth and throat; a dark complexion; mucosal ulcers; purple spots on the skin; low-grade fever; a dark purple tongue with a scant or absent coating; and a fine, choppy pulse.

In everyday terms:

  • The eyes feel dry and uncomfortable.
  • The mouth and throat feel dry, with a persistent feeling of thirst.
  • The complexion looks dark and dull, without much radiance.
  • Ulcers or sores develop on the oral or other mucous membranes.
  • Purple spots or patches appear on the skin.
  • There may be a low-grade fever.
  • The tongue appears dark purple.
  • There is very little or almost no coating on the tongue.
  • The pulse feels fine and uneven.

|Treatment Approach

Clinical description:

Moisten dryness, clear toxins, resolve blood stasis, and unblock the channels.

In everyday terms:

  • Moisten dryness and heat and help clear harmful substances from the body, which may ease discomforts such as dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, or red, swollen sores.
  • Address blood stasis and promote the flow of Qi through the channels, which may help ease symptoms such as painful areas of discoloration, numbness in the limbs, or restricted joint movement.

|Related Products

The products below are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and instructions, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.

References

  1. Edward D. Harris Jr., Gary S. Firestein, John S. Sergent, et al. Kelly’s Textbook of Rheumatology [M]. Translated by Zuo Xiaoxia, Tao Lijian, and Gao Jiesheng. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2006.
  2. Wu Donghai and Wang Guochun. Clinical Rheumatology [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2008.
  3. Rheumatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association. Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sjögren’s Syndrome [J]. Chinese Journal of Rheumatology, 2010, 14(11): 766–768.
  4. Yang Cangliang. An Exploration of Treating Sjögren’s Syndrome from the Perspective of Toxin [J]. World Chinese Medicine, 2013, 8(4): 388–389.
  5. Xuan Lei, Dong Zhenhua, Liang Xiaochun, et al. Study of the Characteristics of TCM Syndrome Patterns in Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome [J]. World Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, 2012, 7(11): 482–485.
  6. Wang Chengde, Hu Yinqi, and Shen Pi’an. Practical Chinese Medicine Rheumatology [M]. 2nd ed. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2009.
  7. Liu Yongxin. A Handbook for Using Chinese Materia Medica in the National Pharmacopoeia [M]. Beijing: Chinese Classics Publishing House, 2011.
  8. Xu Liping. Practical Handbook of Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010.
  9. Pharmacopoeia Commission of the People’s Republic of China. Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China: Clinical Medication Guide—Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: China Medical Science Press, 2011.
  10. Song Minxian and Yang Ming. Newly Compiled National Chinese Patent Medicines [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2002.