Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease—the body produces antibodies against its own proteins. The changes that occur in the course of Sjögren’s syndrome include inflammation and damage to the external secretion glands (mainly the lacrimal and salivary glands) and simultaneous inflammatory changes in many systems and organs.
Have you had a feeling of sand in your eyes for a long time and you feel like you are constantly thirsty? Check if these symptoms should worry you.
The cause of Sjögren’s syndrome is unknown, but undoubtedly genetic factors play a role, and possibly also viral infections.
In this article, Niketrainers.com.co will tell you:
How common is Sjögren’s syndrome?
Difficulties in diagnosing the syndrome and the numerous symptoms associated with it make it impossible to accurately assess its frequency. According to various sources, this frequency ranges from 0.5 to 5% of the population. The majority of patients are women, the age of onset of the disease is most often in the 5th and 6th decade of life.
How is Sjögren’s syndrome manifested?
The symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are divided into those that depend on changes in the glands (mainly the lacrimal and salivary glands) and extra-glandular symptoms.
Glandular symptoms
Inflammation of the lacrimal glands causes insufficient tear production, leading to “dry” conjunctivitis (a feeling of “sand” under the eyelids, burning,photophobia) and the cornea. Insufficient salivation causes dry mouth and rapidly progressing tooth decay. There is often an enlargement of the parotid glands, less often of the submandibular glands – they can be painful.
“Extra-glandular” symptoms
Respiratory symptoms result from the absence of mucus in the airways and the formation of inflammatory infiltrates within the lungs. There are frequent infections. These symptoms may be accompanied by otitis media.
Insufficient amount of saliva and its incorrect composition contribute to difficulties in chewing food, its initial digestion and swallowing. Often there is nausea, epigastric pain,gastroscopyshowsgastritis.
Sjögren’s syndrome may be accompanied by inflammation in the liver. A common accompanying disease ishypothyroidism(Hashimoto’s disease). Inflammatory changes also occur in the kidneys.
Common are “general” symptoms related to the nervous system – fatigue, sleep disturbances. The peripheral nerves and the central nervous system are damaged (hemiplegia, spinal cord inflammation). It is difficult to distinguish some symptoms from those of multiple sclerosis. The musculoskeletal symptoms in Sjögren’s syndrome include joint pain and inflammation, and muscle pain. The syndrome can also “overlap” withrheumatoid arthritis.
Often the skin becomes very dry and purpura may appear. There is alsoRaynaud’sphenomenon (fingers turning pale and sore when cold).
Symptoms of dryness also apply to the genitals in women – a reduction in the amount of vaginal discharge and mucus produced within the cervix contributes toitching, soreness and inflammation.
About 20% of patients with the syndrome develop anemia, and a decrease in the number of leukocytes and / or platelets on blood counts is common.
The risk for patients with Sjögren’s syndrome is the developmentof malignantneoplasms –non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, which occur in this disease about 16 times more often than in the general population. The risk of developing lymphomas increases with the duration of the disease.
As already mentioned, Sjögren’s syndrome can be secondary – that is, overlap with another disease. In addition to the rheumatoid arthritis mentioned above, these diseases include, in particular ,systemic lupus erythematosus,systemic sclerodermaand other systemic diseases of the connective tissue.
What to do in case of symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome? Dry eyes, dry lips
Sjögren’s syndrome (dry keratoconjunctivitis) is one of the most common autoimmune diseases. In this group of diseases, the body itself produces antibodies against selected cells of the body. In Sjögren’s disease, these are primarily the cells of the salivary glands and lacrimal glands. Affected salivary glands stop producing the right amount of saliva and the lacrimal glands produce too little tears.
Therefore, the main symptoms are dry mouth, which can make you feel thirsty all the time. As a result of not enough tears, there is often a feeling of sand and stickiness in the eyes, especially in the mornings. They may be accompanied by double vision, cracking of the tongue, mouth corners, problems with swallowing and chewing, as well as taste disturbances. Less frequent symptoms include: fatigue,tooth decay, inflammation of joints,lungsandkidneys.
If you develop symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome, see your primary care physician. It is very important to see an ophthalmologist early to find out what the tear is producing and whether the eye symptoms may be an argument for Sjögren’s syndrome. The ophthalmologist will also check the cornea for damage and recommend appropriate treatment.
The term “dry eye” should be the basis for further diagnosis of the syndrome, which will be carried out by a family doctor in cooperation with a rheumatologist, internist, often also with a hematologist, dentist and other specialists.
How is the doctor diagnosed with Sjögren’s syndrome?
Sjögren’s syndrome can be difficult to diagnose. It is based on the identification of the described symptoms of “dryness”, an ultrasound examination of the salivary glands is useful, microscopic examination of the smaller (labial) salivary glands can be performed and the presence of appropriate antibodies – “markers” of the syndrome in the blood serum can be performed.
What are the treatments for Sjögren’s syndrome?
Treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome requires the cooperation of many specialists. Protection of the eye is mainly based on the use of “artificial tears” – their type and frequency of use must be determined by the ophthalmologist who should monitor the treatment. The symptoms of individual systems often require the use of potent immunosuppressive drugs and hospital treatment.
Is it possible to cure Sjögren’s syndrome completely?
We don’t know the cause of Sjögren’s syndrome and cannot cure it completely. We only fight its symptoms and prevent complications. A patient with this syndrome requires constant monitoring, observation of glandular changes, control of the size of the salivary glands, lymph nodes, spleen, and repeated laboratory tests.
What should I do after treatment for Sjögren’s syndrome?
Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome cannot be completely cured. You need to remember about frequent ophthalmic inspection and try to protect your eyes (appropriate corrective lenses, avoid contact with dust, smoke-filled rooms, use appropriate drops or other medications in accordance with the ophthalmologist’s recommendations). Quitting smoking is very important in patients with Sjögren’s syndrome.
It is necessary to frequently check the condition of the teeth as caries can occur very quickly. You can stimulate the production of saliva by chewing sugar-free gum.
Due to the risk of cancer – lymphoma – it is necessary to constantly monitor the symptoms by the patient, family doctor and appropriate specialists.
Who gets sick and why?
The disease can attack any of us, at any age. Women over 20 suffer from the disease most often (90%). Sjögren’s syndrome may occur as a separate disease. However, it is more often associated with rheumatic diseases (rheumatoid arthritisorscleroderma). So far, scientists have failed to establish the cause of Sjögren’s syndrome. There are many hypotheses regarding the involvement of hereditary factors, viral infections and hormonal disorders.
Doctor’s help needed
If you experience a persistent feeling of sand in your eyes and a dry mouth, see your GP. Depending on the type and severity of symptoms, he or she will recommend appropriate treatment or refer you to another specialist (rheumatologist, ophthalmologist) who will perform the following tests:
Schirmer’s test – the doctor will apply a narrow strip of tissue paper to the inside of the lower eyelid for a few minutes; the examination is completely painless – thanks to it you can measure the flow of tears.
– lip biopsy – the surgeon will numb the area around your mouth, and then take a small fragment of the lip for examination.
How to fight an opponent?
Due to the unknown cause of Sjögren’s syndrome, treatment may only be symptomatic. You can get eye moisturizing drops (artificial tears) and oral preparations (artificial saliva, e.g. in the form of an aerosol) from your doctor. Try to drink water regularly in small sips. If you experiencejoint pain,your doctor may advise you to take anti-inflammatory and painkillers. Since Sjögren’s syndrome can affect all glands in the body, be sure to tell your doctor about any conditions you have, as they can usually be treated. For example, the glands that produce vaginal mucus, the absence of which causes pain during intercourse, can also dry up.
In the treatment process, chewing gum (thanks to this, saliva is produced) and the use of indoor air humidifiers (then the mucous membranes do not dry out so quickly) may be helpful. In addition, thanks to daily gymnastics and walks in the fresh air, you will make your joints and muscles more flexible, thanks to which joint pain will be reduced.