Dry mouth, dry eyes, eye burning, dry throat: though these types of symptoms are commonly associated with menopause, allergies, or the uncomfortable side effects for some drugs, they could also be signals of a less common ailment. Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the body's white blood cells attack mucus membranes and glands, resulting in pain or dryness in moisture-rich parts of the body.
Causes and Symptoms
The cause of Sjogren's syndrome is not clear, but doctors believe that it may have something to do with abnormal levels of blood proteins which cause the immune system to attack healthy tissue. The hallmark symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome is dryness in moisture-producing areas of the body including the mouth, eyes, throat, nose, or vaginal area. The dryness can lead to pain or infection in affected areas. In serious cases, the eye dryness can result in damage to the cornea from repeated eye infections. Dry mouth can inhibit the mouth's ability to clean out food and bacteria, which can cause advanced decay or gingivitis. In some patients, Sjogren's syndrome can cause pain or swelling in joints.
Who Is At Risk?
The CDC estimates that anywhere from 400,000 to 3.1 million Americans have Sjogren's syndrome. Though Sjogren's syndrome can be contracted by anyone at any age, most cases are diagnosed after age 45. Women are ten times as likely to develop Sjogren's syndrome as men.
Sjogren's syndrome is diagnosed as either a primary or secondary disorder. For people with no other diagnosis of a rheumatologic disorder, presentation of Sjogren's symptoms results in a case of Primary Sjogren's syndrome. However, many cases of the disorder occur in patients with other diagnoses. A large number of patients with Sjogren's syndrome also have rheumatoid arthritis. A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis is considered a major risk factor for Sjogren's syndrome, though the relationship between the diseases is not clear.Diagnosis and TreatmentDiagnosing Sjogren's syndrome is particularly difficult because its symptoms are closely related to more likely causes such as allergies or drug interactions. Typical lag time between onset of symptoms and diagnosis is over six years. To be sure, a rheumatologist will perform a physical examination and possibly a blood test to determine whether or not a person has the disorder.There is no cure for Sjogren's syndrome, and treatment is most often concerned with managing the symptoms of the disease. Dry eyes can be treated with artificial tears or eye washes, and dry mouth is controlled with gum or water. For severe cases of dryness, medications that promote moisture production can be prescribed. Some prescription drugs that are used to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis have also shown promise in treating Sjogren's syndrome.Typically, the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome fade over time on their own, and most people with the disorder are able to lead normal lives by managing their symptoms with over-the-counter remedies.Some studies have also found a higher incidence rate of lymphomas in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Quick diagnosis and treatment is crucial for managing the possibly dangerous results of the disease.
