Sjögren's Syndrome Insights

Sjögren's FoundationApr 10, 2025

Brain Fog is a lay term to describe fluctuating mild memory loss that is inappropriate for a person’s age. It may include forgetfulness, spaciness, confusion, decreased ability to pay attention, an inability to focus, and difficulty in processing information. Remember that gradual cognitive decline from early adulthood is a fact of life. Brain Fog can occur in Sjögren’s, but other factors might cause these symptoms and should be considered by you and your doctor.

According to the Livivng With Sjögren's Patient Survey, 80% of Sjögren's patients experience Brain Fog.

For more information on Brain Fog and other symptoms, click the link below:

https://sjogrens.org/understanding-sjogrens/resources/brochures-resource-sheets

Sjögren's FoundationApr 14, 2025

An estimated 70% of Sjögren's patients have at least one other immune related health condition in addition to their Sjögren's. An estimated 49% of patients have two or more conditions. These conditions can include but are not limited to:

- Fibromyalgia

- Rheumatoid Arthritis

- Hashimoto’s Hypothyroidism

- Mixed Connective Tissue Disease

- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

- Celiac Disease (gluten enteropathy)

- Graves’ Disease

- Scleroderma

#ThisIsSjögrens

Beyond Sjögren'sApr 15, 2025

Does your skin get dry and irritated after using certain skin-care products?

It's no surprise! So many of the cosmetics we use are full of irritating, and sometimes even toxic, ingredients (yes, even the expensive ones!).

Let's break it down.

🚫 The worst offenders for dry and sensitive skin are:

- Alcohols (including ethanol, denatured alcohol, isopropyl alcohol): they strip moisture from skin and cause irritation. Cetyl and stearyl alcohol are usually ok.

- Fragrance / parfum: even if they are labelled as 'natural', they are common triggers for skin irritation, and are also endocrine (hormone) disruptors.

- Sulfates (sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, or SLS): strip natural oils from the skin and make dryness worse.

- Parabens: also endocrine disruptors, and can make inflammation worse.

- Essential oils in high doses: can cause irritation in sensitive skins.

- Petrolatum and mineral oils: although they moisturise skin in the short term, they can block pores and prevent the skin from breathing (which isn't great for inflamed skin).

- Retinoids (retinol, tretinoin): also very drying and irritating.

- Waterproof mascaras, harsh removers, eyeliners with glitter or strong pigments: can migrate into the eye and cause irritation.

✅ Better alternatives:

- Fragrance and alcohol-free products.

- Gentle cream or oil-based cleansers.

- Moisturizers with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, squalane and/or shea butter.

- Products labelles as eye-safe and ophtalmologist-tested.

- Non-toxic lip balms without strong menthol or camphor (can dry out lips).

- Bakuchiol as a natural, gentler alternative to retinols.

💡 Want to learn more?

Our "Healing with Sjögren's Naturally" course contains a whole in-depth lesson on environmental toxins, their effect on Sjögren's, and how to easily avoid them, including useful apps and resources that will make your life easier.

Comment "COURSE" and we will send you more info!