Sjogrens Syndrome and Treatment: What Women Need to Know | Dr. Kara Wada
In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten and quadruple–board-certified allergist & immunologist Dr. Kara Wada unpack why sjogren's disease is widely under-recognized, how “perfectionist” health habits can backfire into autoimmune flares, and exactly how to think about sjogren's treatment, testing, microbiome/barrier health, dysautonomia, POTS, MCAS, and smarter allergy therapies.
A sjogren’s test typically includes autoantibodies (SSA/SSB), but these are only ~60–70% positive, so diagnosis relies on the full picture: history, eye/dental findings, sometimes biopsy. Importantly, Sjögren’s carries a 5–10% lifetime risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, so persistent lymph nodes deserve prompt evaluation. Because labs can be “normal” while life isn’t, bring concrete examples of how symptoms limit your day, and ask for a plan that fits your stage of life (puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause).
This episode is brought to you by:
LUMEBOX
LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow.
Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.
Dr. Brighten Essentials
At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out.
Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.
Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com
Chorus
At Chorus, our Organic Gut Harmony formula is rooted in a 700-year-old botanical blend and updated with modern science to help your body thrive. From easing bloating and improving digestion to boosting energy and clarity.
Exclusive for podcast listeners: use this link http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription
Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Sjögren’s Foundation (patient education & resources): https://www.sjogrens.org
- Gut Hormone Connection Episode: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/
- Therapies discussed: Allergy shots; Sublingual immunotherapy (tablets/drops) and Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT)
- Medications referenced (discuss with your clinician): Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); H1 antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine); H2 blocker (famotidine); caution with diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Research context named in the episode: LEAP trial (early oral peanut introduction): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850
Follow Dr. Kara Wada:
💻 Website: https://drkarawada.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd/
⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drkarawada
👩🏻⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:
💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten
🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten
🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/
🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten
👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More description
In this conversation, Dr. Jolene Brighten and quadruple–board-certified allergist & immunologist Dr. Kara Wada unpack why sjogren's disease is widely under-recognized, how “perfectionist” health habits can backfire into autoimmune flares, and exactly how to think about sjogren's treatment, testing, microbiome/barrier health, dysautonomia, POTS, MCAS, and smarter allergy therapies.
A sjogren’s test typically includes autoantibodies (SSA/SSB), but these are only ~60–70% positive, so diagnosis relies on the full picture: history, eye/dental findings, sometimes biopsy. Importantly, Sjögren’s carries a 5–10% lifetime risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, so persistent lymph nodes deserve prompt evaluation. Because labs can be “normal” while life isn’t, bring concrete examples of how symptoms limit your day, and ask for a plan that fits your stage of life (puberty, pregnancy, perimenopause).
This episode is brought to you by:
LUMEBOX
LUME Box delivers professional-grade LED light therapy in a sleek, easy-to-use device that targets fine lines, pigmentation, and dullness at the cellular level. Just minutes a day can help boost collagen, calm inflammation, and reveal that lit-from-within glow.
Shop now → https://drbrighten.com/lumebox use code drbrighten for our exclusive community discount on your purchase.
Dr. Brighten Essentials
At Dr. Brighten Essentials, every product is crafted to support your hormones, boost your energy, and help you feel your best—inside and out.
Exclusive for podcast listeners: Use code POD15 at checkout for 15% off your order.
Shop now → https://drbrightenessentials.com
Chorus
At Chorus, our Organic Gut Harmony formula is rooted in a 700-year-old botanical blend and updated with modern science to help your body thrive. From easing bloating and improving digestion to boosting energy and clarity.
Exclusive for podcast listeners: use this link http://chorusforlife.com/drbrighten and and receive 10 percent off your order or subscription
Links & Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
- Sjögren’s Foundation (patient education & resources): https://www.sjogrens.org
- Gut Hormone Connection Episode: https://drbrighten.com/podcasts/gut-health-probiotics/
- Therapies discussed: Allergy shots; Sublingual immunotherapy (tablets/drops) and Intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT)
- Medications referenced (discuss with your clinician): Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil); H1 antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine); H2 blocker (famotidine); caution with diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Research context named in the episode: LEAP trial (early oral peanut introduction): https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1414850
Follow Dr. Kara Wada:
💻 Website: https://drkarawada.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immuneconfidentmd/
⭕ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drkarawada
👩🏻⚕️Follow Dr. Jolene Brighten:
💻 Website: https://www.drbrighten.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drjolenebrighten
🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drjolenebrighten
🧵Threads: https://www.threads.net/@drjolenebrighten
🌟 Grab my free hormone friendly recipes here! https://drbrighten.com/hormonekit/
🎧 Subscribe to the Podcast:
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-brighten-show/id1786362161
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5VWcYWJFzi3OnwidT25IXi?si=481df20ef0a6417
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjolenebrighten
👉 If you found this episode valuable, drop a comment below to tell us what you loved most, and share it with a friend! Let’s spread the knowledge. 💬✨
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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