Sjogren's Syndrome Treatment

There is no cure for Sjogren's. No treatment can restore the ability of the glands to produce moisture. Patients with Sjogren's have an increased incidence of Adult Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. They should be screened aggressively. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms.

Treatments include:

Medication

To help relieve dryness:

• Artificial tears, artificial saliva, and vaginal lubricants
• Pilocarpine -ocular and oral dryness
• Cevimeline -requires less frequent dosing than pilocarpine, may cause nausea

To relieve joint and muscle pain:

• Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

To relieve inflammation / swelling:

• Plaquenil -antimalarial drug with anti-inflammatory properties
• Steroids
• Methotrexate -a steroid-sparing agent

Lifestyle Measures

• Mild exercise can help relieve stiffness in the joints.
• To help relieve dry mouth, sip liquids often and suck on sugar-free candies.
• Brush, floss, and see your dentist regularly. This can help to prevent cavities.
• Use nonscented moisturizers to help relieve dry skin.

This condition is generally benign. However, people with severe cases are at increased risk for developing Adult Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This is a cancer of the white blood cells. Your doctor will need to monitor you for this.