In Sjogren’s syndrome, your immune system attacks healthy tissue. About 50% of the time Sjogren’s syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease. Currently there is no know cure for Sjogren’s syndrome. The objectives of treatment are to control the symptoms, prevent or limit organ involvement, and help patients improve their quality of life. It is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders, striking as many as four million Americans. Women are 9 times more likely to have Sjogren’s syndrome than men. The disease can affect other glands too, such as those in the stomach, pancreas, and intestines, and can cause dryness in other places that need moisture, such as the nose, throat, airways, and skin. Most of the complications of Sjogren’s syndrome occur because of decreased tears and saliva. Patients with dry eyes are at increased risk for infections around the eye and may have damage to the cornea.

Causes of Sjogren’s syndrome

The common causes and risk factor’s of Sjogren’s syndrome include the following:

The exact cause of Sjogren’s syndrome is not known.

A combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

A viral or bacterial infection.

A family history of Sjogren’s.

Symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome

Some sign and symptoms related to Sjogren’s syndrome are as follows:

Cracking of the tongue.

Mouth sores and swelling.

Dry mouth.

Skin rashes including purple spots.

Fatigue.

Shortness of breath or other difficulty breathing.

Dental cavities.

Difficulty swallowing due to lack of saliva or other problems.

Treatment of Sjogren’s syndrome

Here is list of the methods for treating Sjogren’s syndrome:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms.

Artificial tears to help with dry eyes.

If dryness is a problem, your doctor can recommend an over-the-counter treatment to relieve discomfort.

Saliva stimulants and mouth lubricants for dry mouth

For individuals with severe complications, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed.

Joint pain and swollen salivary glands can be treated with pain relievers and rest.

For dry mouth: Use sugar-free gum or candies to stimulate saliva production.

Symptoms associated with Sjögren’s are caused by the infiltration of immune-system cells, usually B and T lymphocytes, into the glands responsible for secreting fluid. This condition can affect people of any age, but symptoms usually appear between the ages of 45 and 55. In Sjogren’s syndrome, your immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. Sjögren’s may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain. Symptoms can plateau, worsen, or go into remission. While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life. Virtually all organs may be involved. The disease commonly affects the eyes, mouth, parotid gland, lungs, kidneys, skin, and nervous system. Sjogren’s syndrome can also cause problems in other parts of the body, including the joints, lungs, muscles, kidneys, nerves, thyroid gland, liver, pancreas, stomach and brain.

Sjögren’s occurs in all age groups in both women and men. It is estimated to strike as many as 4 million people in the United States. Sjogren’s Syndrome is also found more commonly in families that have members with other autoimmune illnesses, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, autoimmune thyroid disease, juvenile diabetes, etc. Sjögren’s syndrome—dryness, fatigue, pain, head and neck complaints, hoarseness, or hearing loss—can also occur as a result of medication use, anxiety and depression, or normal aging. The majority of the patients with Sjögren’s syndrome have symptoms related to diminished lacrimal and salivary gland functions. The initial manifestations may be nonspecific, such as arthralgias, Raynaud’s phenomenon and fatigue, and usually 8 to 10 years elapse from the initial symptoms to the full-blown development of the disease. Patients usually complain of difficulty in eating dry food (like trying to eat crackers without water), inability to speak continuously, oral soreness, changes in tasting and smelling and fissures of the tongue and lips (angular queilitis).

Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. Infections are treated with anti-fungal or antibiotic preparations. Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) has been helpful for some manifestations of Sjogren’s syndrome. Moisture replacement therapies may ease the symptoms of dryness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms. Lacriserts, is used by some to alleviate dry eyes. Two prescription medications, Salagen (pilocarpine hydrochloride) and Evoxac (cevimeline), are available to treat dry mouth.. Serious complications, such as vasculitis, can require immune suppression medications, including cortisone (prednisone and others) and/or azathioprine (Imuran) or cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan). Many of these types of agents are available as over-the-counter products including toothpaste, gum, and mouthwash (Biotene). Vitamin E oil has been used with some success. Infections of the mouth and teeth should be addressed as early as possible in order to avoid more severe complications.