Introduction
Sjogren syndrome is classified as an autoimmune disorder, one of a large group of conditions that occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs.
Sjogren’s symptoms syndrome is a systemic condition, which means it can affect the entire body.
The syndrome affects the immune system.
This illness is autoimmune which causes the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy organs. white blood cell infiltration causes the production of saliva and tear glands to decrease and leads to decreased saliva and tear production.
This may cause dry throats and ear canal.
It may also be linked to autoimmune conditions namely rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus e.g. primary biliary cholangitis.
Sjogrens is primarily developed as an independent disease and secondary syndromes like Lupus coexist with other conditions.
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What is Sjogren’s syndrome?
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the eyes and salivary glands, but can also affect other parts of the body.
Sjogrens Syndrome is an auto-immunity condition in which you are able to attack your own the immune system without attacking bacteria or viruses.
Your white blood cells normally shield against germs that attack glands responsible for forming water.
In this situation they cannot produce blood or urine, which means your face and your body will become dry.
The condition usually affects areas of the body that produce fluids, such as tears and saliva. But other parts of the body, such as nerves and joints, can also be affected.
It’s not clear why the immune system stops working properly.
It may be linked to: genetics – some people may be born with genes that make them more likely to get an autoimmune condition.
Hormones
The female hormone estrogen may play a part, as the condition is much more common in women than men
Thankfully, some of the medications provide some relief.
Remember, most Sjogren’s patients are healthy despite having no serious illness.
Sjogren’s syndrome causes and risk factors
In Sjögren syndrome, the immune system primarily attacks the glands that produce tears (the lacrimal glands) and saliva (the salivary glands), impairing the glands’ ability to secrete these fluids.
It’s unclear how to explain what happened.
It could be your genetic risk factors.
A bacteria-associated infection can initiate a disease.
Tell me the reason for your illness?
It’s the body’s defense mechanism that activates it.
Normally white blood cells are responsible for attacking a germ.
However because of your faulty gene, your white blood cells can affect other organs such as saliva and tears.
The fight is not over.
Your condition is not improving until you have been treated.
Besides the age there are also things that increase the chances of Sjogrens.
The nervous system and the endocrine, or hormone-producing, system have also been implicated in the onset of Sjogren’s.
Genetics
A predisposition to develop autoimmune disorders can be passed through generations in families. Relatives of people with Sjögren syndrome are at an increased risk of developing autoimmune diseases, although they are not necessarily more likely to develop Sjögren syndrome in particular.
Rheumatic disease.
It’s common for people who have Sjogren’s syndrome to also have a rheumatic disease — such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Sjogren’s syndrome symptoms
In most people with Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary features of the disorder, and general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected.
The symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome include:
- dry eyes
- dry mouth
- dry skin
- tiredness
- vaginal dryness
- muscle or joint pain
- swelling between the jaw and ears (swollen salivary glands)
- rashes (especially after being in the sun)
Symptoms vary amongst humans.
Maybe he or she only had one, perhaps a couple more.
Most common symptoms include dry mouth with chalky taste or feel like cotton.
- Dry eye itch that burns
- Dry mouth lips & skin dry throat.
- You may experience dryness in your nose or throat or on your skin.
- Sjögren’s syndrome can also affect:
- joints,
- lungs,
- kidneys,
- blood vessels,
- digestive organs and nerves,
- symptoms such as: Swollen glands, specifically behind the jaw and in front of the ears Joint pain, swelling or stiffness.
Dry mouth.
Because your body can’t produce saliva readily, it might be difficult to swallow or speak, or to taste food.
Your mouth may feel chalky or cottonlike, you might wake up at night and need a drink.
Because of the dryness, or you may find yourself drinking more during the day to help swallow food.
Individuals may have difficulty speaking, tasting food, or swallowing.
Because saliva helps protect the teeth and the tissues of the oral cavity, people with Sjögren syndrome are at increased risk of tooth decay and infections in the mouth.
More Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptoms
The disease can affect parts of the body other than the eyes and mouth.
You may experience dryness in your nose or throat or on your skin.
Sjögren’s syndrome can also affect the joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive organs and nerves, causing symptoms such as Swollen glands as well as stiffness and pain swelling in the salivary glands between the jaw and ears peripheral neuropathy.
Numbness and occasional pain in the arms or legs small fiber neuropathy, which can be diagnosed by a skin biopsy.
Lung disease (bronchiolitis, interstitial lung disease, cystic lung disease).
Raynaud’s phenomenon , in which the hands feel painful, cold and numb vasculitis, where the blood vessels become inflamed.
Rheumatic Condition
Disorders involving connective tissue inflammation are sometimes called rheumatic conditions.
In Sjögren syndrome, extraglandular involvement may result in painful inflammation of the joints and muscles; dry, itchy skin and skin rashes; chronic cough; a hoarse voice; kidney and liver problems; numbness or tingling in the hands and feet; and, in women, vaginal dryness.
Prolonged and extreme tiredness (fatigue) severe enough to affect activities of daily living may also occur in this disorder.
Other symptoms can include: swelling and tenderness of the glands around your face, neck, armpits and groin tiredness (fatigue) dry skin or rashes joint pain and general achiness dryness of the nose, ear and throat vaginal dryness bowel irritation.
Causes of sjogrens’s syndrome
In Sjögren’s syndrome, the body attacks the glands that make tears and saliva.
The resulting inflammation damages the glands, limiting their production of the fluids that normally keep the eyes and mouth moist.
In some cases, the immune system attacks additional parts of the body, damaging other organs and tissues and causing a range of other symptoms.
Sjögren syndrome is thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors; however, no associations between specific genetic changes and the development of Sjögren syndrome have been confirmed.
Sjogren’s syndrome diagnosis
tests for Sjögren’s syndrome .
There are many things that can cause similar symptoms.
The GP can check for some of the more common causes, such as swelling of the eyelids (blepharitis) , diabetes or side effects from medicine. If needed, they can refer you to a specialist for further tests, such as: blood tests an eye examination a lip biopsy – where a tiny piece of tissue from inside your lip is removed and examined under a microscope.
Blood tests, an eye examination, a lip biopsy – where a tiny piece of tissue from inside your lip is removed and examined under a microscope
Find out more about the tests for Sjögren’s syndrome .
Because many people suffering from the disease have an autoimmune disease and some Sjogrer’s signs are quite common, like fatigue syndrome or inflammation, it can sometimes be hard for your doctor to explain the problem. Doctor’s may ask:
How often are my eyes burning?
Do you suffer from tooth cavities?
Is my mouth drying?
Do you think you have a lip?
Are there joint pains that cause stiffness?
If unsure of the results of the test it might be necessary to get an ultrasound.
It will be analyzed by taking blood in your vein and sending it to a laboratory.
Primary and Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome
Sometimes, people with Sjögren’s syndrome also have other autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus .
This is known as secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome is where you do not have any other related conditions.
Some individuals who are first diagnosed with another rheumatic disorder, such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus , later develop the dry eyes and dry mouth characteristic of Sjögren syndrome.
Sjögren’s Syndrome Treatment
There’s currently no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, but there are several treatments that can help, such as:
- eye drops that keep your eyes wet (artificial tears)
- sprays, lozenges (medicated sweets) and gels that keep your mouth wet (saliva substitutes)
- medicine that helps your body produce more tears and saliva
You should always use medicines for your symptoms.
It can be bought from drug stores without prescription but the doctor can sometimes prescribe stronger ones to people who are not working properly.
Similarly, artificial tears may help you keep your eyes from being dry.
They should be used frequently.
There is another product, gel for dry eyes.
The advantages are that it adheres to a patient’s eye surface and it is less costly to apply it as often as drops.
When artificial tears do not help with dry eyes, the doctor can recommend the following treatment:
- Cequa
- Lacrisert
- Restasis.
- Xiidra
Medications to stimulate saliva flow :
These include pilocarpine and cevimeline.
They have a short-term impact, limited to a few hours only, so several doses a day are usually required.
drugs (NSAIDs)
Anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin , naproxen, and ibuprofen can provide relief for people with Sjogren’s who are experiencing pain in the joints.
Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) :
In cases where the joint pain is accompanied by fatigue and rashes, DMARDs may relieve symptoms.
Examples include hydroxychloroquine or methotrexate.
If Sjogren’s seems to be affecting the muscles, nerves, lungs, or kidneys, stronger DMARDs, corticosteroids, or rituximab may be prescribed.
Antifungal medication : If oral yeast infections are occurring, medication may be prescribed to combat the infection.
Home Remedies for Sjogren’s syndrome
Things you can do if you have Sjögren’s syndrome
To help relieve the symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome: avoid dry, smoky or windy places avoid reading, watching TV or looking at screens for a long time make sure you maintain good oral hygiene do not smoke or drink alcohol
Avoid strong soaps that may dry out your skin. Try to increase the humidity in your home. Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, stop smoking and reduce stress to help your overall health and wellbeing.
Eat soft, moist foods if you have trouble swallowing.
Eat smaller, more frequent meals to stimulate saliva flow.
Use warm (not hot) water when taking a shower or bath.
Chew sugarless gum to stimulate saliva.
Avoid salty, acidic or spicy foods and carbonated drinks that may be painful if your mouth is dry.
Practice good dental hygiene and visit your dentist often.
Sjogren’s Syndrome Complications
Complications can include: increased risk of dental decay increased risk of developing thrush infections in the mouth vision problems inflammation of internal organs (such as the kidneys, lungs or liver) problems with the circulatory and nervous system.
As you lack enough saliva to keep your teeth healthy, the risk of getting cavities is higher than others in the same situation.
You may have gingivitis or yeast infection on your gums.
Sometimes it can be very difficult.
Drying the nose causes a number of symptoms including bruising and sinusitis.
Dryness in your nose can lead to issues like nosebleeds or sinusitis.
Dry eyes increase the possibility of a corneal infection.
Other more commonly seen illnesses that are associated with Sjogren include: Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Interstitial cystitis.
Dry eyes can make you more likely to get infections around your eyes that can harm your cornea.
You also may notice some new issues with your vision.
Other less common health conditions linked to Sjogren’s include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Interstitial cystitis
- Problems with your liver, like chronic active autoimmune hepatitis or primary biliary cholangitis
- Conditions that affect your lungs, like bronchitis or pneumonia
- Inflammation in your lungs , liver , and kidneys Lymphoma, or cancer of the lymph nodes.
Questions for your doctor about Sjogren’s Syndrome?
Is there any way of treating dry eyes?
Does it make sense to hydrate your mouth?
How can one manage pain in the joints?
Why should I get flu shots despite being allergic?
Frequently Asked Questions
What are three signs of Sjogren’s syndrome?
The most common three signs of Sjogren’s Syndrome is dry eyes, dry mouth and joint pain.’
What can trigger Sjogren’s syndrome?
We are not sure what trigger Sjogren’s syndrome – we know genetics is involved. possible triggers may include an infection, such as a virus or bacteria.
What are the leading symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome?
Conclusion
Most people who have Sjögren’s syndrome live their lives without any significant problems. However, a dry mouth means that you are more likely to have dental problems, such as tooth decay and infection. Dry eyes can also place you at risk for eye infections.
References for Sjogren’s Syndrome
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health_info/Sjogrens_Syndrome/sjogrens_syndrome_ff.as
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