| Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic inflammatory | | | | and men. It is estimated to strike as many as 4 million |
| disorder of probable autoimmune nature. Autoimmune | | | | people in the United States. Sjogren's Syndrome is also |
| diseases are characterized by the abnormal | | | | found more commonly in families that have members |
| production of extra antibodies in the blood that are | | | | with other autoimmune illnesses, such as systemic |
| directed against various tissues of the body. About | | | | lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, |
| 50% of the time Sjögren's syndrome occurs | | | | juvenile diabetes, etc. Sjögren's |
| alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence | | | | syndrome-dryness, fatigue, pain, head and neck |
| of another connective tissue disease. The classic signs | | | | complaints, hoarseness, or hearing loss-can also occur |
| of the Sjögren's syndrome, therefore, includes | | | | as a result of medication use, anxiety and depression, |
| enlargement of the parotid glands with mucosal | | | | or normal aging. The majority of the patients with |
| dryness manifest by dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry | | | | Sjögren's syndrome have symptoms related to |
| eyes (xerophthalmia). Sjogren's syndrome is also | | | | diminished lacrimal and salivary gland functions. The |
| associated with rheumatic disorders such as | | | | initial manifestations may be nonspecific, such as |
| rheumatoid arthritis. Sjogren's syndrome that only | | | | arthralgias, Raynaud's phenomenon and fatigue, and |
| involves gland inflammation (resulting dry eyes and | | | | usually 8 to 10 years elapse from the initial symptoms |
| mouth, etc.), and is not associated with a connective | | | | to the full-blown development of the disease. Patients |
| tissue disease, is referred to as primary Sjogren's | | | | usually complain of difficulty in eating dry food (like |
| syndrome. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome involves | | | | trying to eat crackers without water), inability to speak |
| not only gland inflammation, but is also associated with | | | | continuously, oral soreness, changes in tasting and |
| a connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid | | | | smelling and fissures of the tongue and lips (angular |
| arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma. | | | | queilitis). |
| Symptoms associated with Sjögren's are caused | | | | Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. |
| by the infiltration of immune-system cells, usually B and | | | | Infections are treated with anti-fungal or antibiotic |
| T lymphocytes, into the glands responsible for | | | | preparations. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) has been |
| secreting fluid. This condition can affect people of any | | | | helpful for some manifestations of Sjogren's |
| age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages | | | | syndrome. Moisture replacement therapies may ease |
| of 45 and 55. In Sjogren's syndrome, your immune | | | | the symptoms of dryness. Nonsteroidal |
| system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. | | | | anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat |
| Sjögren's may also cause dryness of other | | | | musculoskeletal symptoms. Lacriserts, is used by |
| organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, | | | | some to alleviate dry eyes. Two prescription |
| lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. | | | | medications, Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and |
| Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint | | | | Evoxac (cevimeline), are available to treat dry mouth.. |
| pain. Symptoms can plateau, worsen, or go into | | | | Serious complications, such as vasculitis, can require |
| remission. While some people experience mild | | | | immune suppression medications, including cortisone |
| symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that | | | | (prednisone and others) and/or azathioprine (Imuran) or |
| greatly impair their quality of life. Virtually all organs may | | | | cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Many of these types of |
| be involved. The disease commonly affects the eyes, | | | | agents are available as over-the-counter products |
| mouth, parotid gland, lungs, kidneys, skin, and nervous | | | | including toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash (Biotene). |
| system. Sjogren's syndrome can also cause problems | | | | Vitamin E oil has been used with some success. |
| in other parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, | | | | Infections of the mouth and teeth should be addressed |
| muscles, kidneys, nerves, thyroid gland, liver, pancreas, | | | | as early as possible in order to avoid more severe |
| stomach and brain. | | | | complications. |
| Sjögren's occurs in all age groups in both women | | | | |