Sjogren’s syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome is called as autoimmune disease which affects your immune system and also attacks healthy cells instead of restricting bacteria or viruses. White blood cells usually protect you from germs which attack the glands that are used for producing moisture. If that happens, they can’t produce saliva or tears so your mouth and eyes and also other parts of the body are dry. There are many treatments to relief through.

It's natural to worry about your lifelong disease which needs regular care. You should know that most people with Sjogren's stay fit and healthy, and don't have any serious problems. You should be able to keep doing all things you like to do without any alternatives. Dry mouth and dry eyes are the basic symptoms. Most people who have these symptoms don’t have Sjögren's syndrome. Otherwise, Dry mouth is also called xerostomia.

Two forms of Sjogren's syndrome:

Primary Sjogren’s syndrome - it develops on its own, not because of any other health condition.

Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome - it develops by autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and psoriatic arthritis.

Causes of Sjogren’s syndrome

Normally, Sjogren’s syndrome is called autoimmune disease which states that something triggers your immune system to attack healthy cells. This attack damages the tear system in your eyes and saliva glands in your mouth.

Cause of the abnormal immune system is not clear. These risk factors play a major role:

Environmental factors.
Genetics.
Sex hormones (more women than men)
Viral infections.

Symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome

Other than dry eyes and mouth, most people experience muscle pain and joint pain all over the body like fibromyalgia. Other symptoms are:

Less sense of taste.
Burning or redness or irritation in eyes, or grittiness (like sand).
Blurry vision problems.
Like Difficulty chewing, swallowing or talking.
Dry cough or hoarseness.
Drying, itching skin.
Enlarged saliva glands.
Fatigue.
Early Tooth decay or tooth loss.
Vaginal dryness.

Diagnosis of Sjogren’s syndrome

If you have dry mouth, dry eyes or other signs of Sjogren's syndrome, your doctor may use these methods to confirm a diagnosis:

Blood tests: these tests help to detect specific antibodies. And also look for antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and anti-Sjogren's syndrome antibodies (anti-SSA called anti-Rio) and anti-Sjogren's syndrome type B (anti-SSB, called anti-La). It also helps to detect rheumatoid factor, an antibody found in most of the people who have rheumatoid arthritis.

Biopsy: your doctor removes tissue from a salivary gland and inside of your lips. This sample goes to a lab to check for signs of inflammation.

Eye exam: An eye specialist like ophthalmologist will measure the tear production. During the examination, the doctor will examine the cornea, and other the clear part of the eye, for dryness.

Imaging tests: It uses sialometry which measures how much saliva you produce by using X-rays that can see dye injected into salivary glands. Salivary scintigraphy, which tracks how long it takes for a radioactive isotope to travel from an injection point in your vein to your salivary glands.

Health history: If you experience any pre-existing autoimmune disease and dry eyes and dry mouth, your doctor may determine that you are affected by secondary Sjogren's syndrome.

Treatments for dry eyes:

Artificial tears: use artificial tear eye solutions and artificial tear eye ointments helps to moisturize dry eyes. These solutions and ointments relieve irritation and discomfort in the eyes. Eye drops like Cyclosporine and lifitegrast will soothe the inflamed tear system and trigger tear production.

Otherwise, use Punctal plugs. An ophthalmologist will insert tiny silicone plugs into the tear ducts. These plugs block the ducts so tears will stay on the eyes, it keeps them wet.

Surgery: if punctal plugs work for our dryness, then the doctor suggests surgery to close the tear ducts permanently.

Autologous serum drops: doctors can make customised artificial tears. This process includes mixing your blood serum with a sterile liquid solution. You will get a kind of tear substitute unique to your body.

Treatments for dry mouth:

Saliva producers: products like gum and hard candies that contain sweeteners like sorbitol or xylitol can stimulate saliva production. It includes sorbitol oral lozenges and sorbitol oromucosal solutions (solutions that are directed toward the cheeks).

Medications: medicines like Pilocarpine (Salagen®) and cevimeline (Evoxac®) pills will increase the natural production of saliva.

Dental care: The risk of dental cavities, infections and tooth decay increases by having dry mouth. Doctors may suggest you a prescribed toothpaste and mouthwash, as well as regular fluoride treatments.

Complications of Sjogren’s syndrome

People with Sjögren’s syndrome live their lives without any major problems. If you have dry mouth means that you are more likely to have dental problems such as tooth decay and tooth infections. Dry eyes will increase the risk for eye infections.

If you are identified by secondary Sjögren’s syndrome, you will have health issues or symptoms like joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Other Complications:

Likely to have Abnormal liver or kidney function.
Likely to have Lymphomas (cancerous tumors in the lymph nodes).
Likely to have Lung problems that may be mistaken for pneumonia.
Likely to have Neurological problems that cause weakness or numbness.
Likely to have Skin rashes.

Treating Sjogren’s syndrome

Treatment may include:

artificial tears and lubricating ointments for the eyes
artificial saliva
mouth rinses and lozenges
nasal sprays
vaginal lubricants
moisturising lotion for the skin
non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
immunosuppressive medications