Managing Weight Gain With Sjögren's Syndrome: Diet Tips and Lifestyle Changes

Understanding Sjgren's Syndrome Weight Gain

Sjgren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that affects the moisture-producing glands in the body. As a result, people with Sjgren's often experience dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, and fatigue. One lesser-known symptom that can occur with Sjgren's is unexpected weight gain.

What Causes Weight Gain With Sjgren's Syndrome?

There are a few reasons why people with Sjgren's may struggle with weight gain:

• Chronic inflammation - The autoimmune attack on the body's moisture glands causes systemic inflammation, which can slow down metabolism.
• Hormone changes - Sjgren's impacts gland and hormone function, including thyroid, adrenal glands, and sex hormones.
• Fatigue - Extreme tiredness makes it difficult to exercise regularly, leading to weight gain over time.
• Medications - Corticosteroids like prednisone are sometimes prescribed to reduce inflammation, and they carry weight gain as a common side effect.

Managing Weight With Sjgren's Syndrome

If you have Sjgren's syndrome and you're struggling with unexpected weight gain, there are some things you can try to get back on track:

1. Eat a Sjgren's friendly diet - Focus on foods that are nutrient and water dense to nourish tissues.
2. Stay active - Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming and yoga are great options.
3. Prioritize sleep - Getting enough sleep helps control hormone function and inflammation.
4. Consider supplements - Digestive enzymes and omega-3s support healthy weight loss.

Diet Tips for Losing Weight With Sjgren's

Making some diet modifications can help you better control Sjgrens syndrome weight gain:

• Eat plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables at each meal to flood the body with moisture and nutrients while keeping calories low.
• Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, walnuts, olive oil, and tart cherry juice to help address chronic inflammation that slows down metabolism.
• Stay hydrated by sipping water infused with vitamin C throughout the day to provide moisture for tissues.
• Limit refined sugar, refined grains, fried foods, and high-fat dairy which can promote inflammation.

The Importance of Exercise With Sjgrens Syndrome Weight Gain

Getting regular physical activity is vitally important when combatting Sjgrens related weight gain for a few key reasons:

1. Exercise helps reduce inflammation.
2. It can boost low energy levels associated with Sjgrens fatigue.
3. Building muscle through strength training or resistance bands helps raise your metabolism.
4. Getting your body moving supports healthy hormone balance.

Start slow with light walking, gentle yoga or stretching, and gradually increase your activity level over time. Be sure to stay well hydrated before, during and after exercise sessions.

Lifestyle Changes To Aid Weight Loss

Along with diet and exercise adjustments, making the following lifestyle changes can optimize your health and help normalize weight with Sjgrens syndrome:

• Focus on managing stress levels through meditation, deep breathing, gentle movement or mindfulness.
• Get at least 7-9 hours of quality sleep per night to allow the body to fully rest and reset.
• Identify and avoid environmental toxins whenever possible, including chemicals in food and beauty products.
• Take time each day to calm your nervous system through relaxing activities you enjoy.

When To Seek Medical Support

As you make diet and lifestyle changes to promote weight loss with Sjgrens syndrome, be sure to keep your healthcare providers informed. Get their input to ensure any changes youre making are appropriate with your specific health status and prescribed medications.

See your doctor promptly if you experience rapid weight gain or other new symptoms, which could indicate:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Medication complications
• A disease flare
• An additional autoimmune disorder developing

Ongoing medical care is crucial for properly managing Sjgrens syndrome and related health issues over time. Support groups can also provide great motivation and camaraderie as you aim to take control over weight changes related to your condition.

With a holistic approach focused on healing inflammation, nourishing your body, maintaining activity levels, reducing stress, and getting adequate rest, you can help normalize unexpected weight gain related to Sjgrens.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.