Sjogren's disease, often referred to as Sjogren's syndrome, is a systemic condition, meaning that you can experience symptoms throughout your body. The most commonly known symptoms of Sjogren's is dryness of the eyes, nose and mouth. You can also encounter gastrointestinal symptoms including chronic heartburn and delayed stomach emptying, a condition called gastroparesis. Arthritis-like joint pain and muscle aches may also be a part of Sjogren's disease. You may need to adjust your diet to relieve your individual symptoms.
Moist/Soft Foods
Some people who have Sjogren's syndrome experience difficulty chewing and swallowing their food, particularly if dry mouth is a primary symptom. If this is one of your challenges, following a soft diet can facilitate more comfortable mealtimes. Creamy foods like macaroni and cheese, oatmeal or cream of wheat cereals, mashed potatoes, yogurt, pudding, canned fruits and vegetables may be easier for you to eat than more traditional pasta dishes, fried potatoes or whole, raw fruits. You can also moisten regular foods with broth, mayonnaise or other condiments, milk or water to ease your swallowing difficulties.
Limit Sugar
Chronic dry mouth, called xerostomia, can lead to tooth decay and cavities. The reason for this increase in dental health issues is that saliva washes away bacteria and plaque from your teeth. The reduced amount of saliva that you produce as part of your Sjogren's syndrome can keep bacteria on your teeth and gums for longer periods of time, leading to decay. For this reason, your doctor may encourage you to follow a low-sugar diet to help prevent cavities. Consult your health care provider to determine what exactly this means for your diet, but you can start by reducing the amount of added sugar you consume through candy, baked goods and soft drinks.
Low-Acid
Heartburn and other forms of gastrointestinal upset can be part of your everyday life if you have Sjogren's disease. Follow a low-acid, low-irritation diet mainly by cutting out acidic or spicy foods. Citrus and tomato products, carbonated soft drinks, alcohol, salsa, chocolate, peppermint, onions, garlic and curry are irritants to the stomach's lining and can contribute to the painful, burning sensation of acid reflux. Aim for a bland diet to reduce your discomfort. In the case of gastroparesis, the condition in which undigested foods sits in your stomach for longer periods of time than are normal for digestion, small meals or snacks are key. Nausea and vomiting may be signs of gastroparesis. Counter these symptoms by eating lightly to help your body digest your meals more easily.
Gluten-Free
Celiac disease, like Sjogren's disease, is an autoimmune condition in which your body attacks itself. People who have celiac disease cannot process gluten proteins without experiencing a variety of uncomfortable symptoms. Celiac and Sjogren's may go hand in hand for some people and symptoms of each may intermingle and be mistaken for the other condition. According to the online nutritional resource RD411.com; approximately 3 percent of people who have celiac disease also develop Sjogren's syndrome. Your doctor may advise that you follow a gluten-free diet if your Sjogren's symptoms are mimicking celiac disease. Most grains, including wheat and barley, contain gluten, as do breads, crackers and baked goods that contain grains. Substitute corn and rice products, including breads and pastas made from rice flour and cornmeal, for wheat. You can most likely still consume potatoes, milk and fruits and vegetables without eating gluten. Look for gluten-free bread products at your supermarket for a wider variety of foods that are safe for you to eat.
