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What is Sjögren's syndrome?

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Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes dry eyes, dry mouth, and other symptoms. It happens when the body's immune system attacks the glands that keep the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body moist.

Some people with Sjögren's syndrome have other immune system conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and scleroderma.

 

 

 

What are the symptoms?

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The main symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. Dry eye symptoms can include eyes that feel dry or burn, sandy or gritty feeling in the eyes, red or watery eyes, blurry vision.

 

If you have a dry mouth, you might wake up more often at night to drink water because your mouth is so dry, need to drink liquids to help swallow dry foods, be more likely to get cavities and certain mouth infections.

 

Other affected parts of the body can include fatigue, dry, itchy skin, joint or muscle pain, problems urinating, such as pain, urinating more often than usual, getting up a lot at night to urinate, needing to urinate suddenly, vaginal dryness. 

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Rarely, Sjogren's can cause other internal organ problems such as inflammation in kidneys, lungs, nerves and very rarely brain. 

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How is it diagnosed?

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Besides complete history and physical, certain blood tests can help make diagnosis such as ANA, SSA, SSB antibodies and RA factor.  Very rarely, lip biopsy can also be used when it is difficult to make diagnosis otherwise.

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How is it treated?

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Before you see a doctor about it, you can:

● Sip water, chew sugarless gum, or suck sugar-free candy to help with dry mouth. If you don't like drinking a lot of water, you can rinse your mouth and spit the water out.

 

● Put lip balm on dry lips and moisturizer on dry skin.

 

● Avoid excess air conditioning or heating. Use a humidifier in your bedroom and other places where you spend a lot of time.

 

● Brush and floss your teeth after every meal, and see your dentist as often as your doctor or nurse tells you. Dry mouth raises the risk of cavities and some other mouth problems.

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Sometimes, using medications to improve secretions can help with dry eyes and mouth. Using artificial tears as well other lubricating eye drops can be helpful. Sjogren's related arthritis may benefit from certain anti rheumatic medications. Rare internal organ problems from Sjogren's may need specialized medications that affects immune system.