Prevention
There is no known way to prevent Sjögren’s syndrome, though you can prevent worsening of symptoms by avoiding certain medications, dry environments, caffeine and alcohol. They may also prevent complications.
When To Call a Professional
If you have dry eyes and mouth for more than a few days, call your doctor or dentist. Remember that Sjögren’s syndrome is difficult to diagnose and its symptoms may be due to another condition. (more…)
Sjögren’s syndrome can not be cured, however, proper treatment can help relieve symptoms and allow you to have a more comfortable life. Aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may reduce inflammation and stiffness and muscle aches. Your doctor may prescribe corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs in cases of more serious complications. Talk to your doctor about other medications you are taking, such as antihistamines or antidepressants, because they could contribute to dryness.
Ask your doctor or ophthalmologist may prescribe a preparation of artificial tears or lubricating ointments of good quality. May also be useful moisturizer camera glasses that preserve existing tears protect your eyes from the air stream and the wind. When dry eye is severe, you may have a procedure called punctal occlusion (with punctal plugs). This procedure completely cover the tiny holes in the dry interior of the cornea of ??the eye. This decreases the tear drainage, stimulates the accumulation of tears and moisturize the eye. (more…)
Symptoms
Some people experience only minor symptoms. Others have blurred vision, constant eye discomfort, recurrent mouth infections, inflammation (swelling) of the salivary gland and difficulty swallowing or eating. Sjögren’s syndrome can also affect the lungs, joints, pancreas, kidneys and brain.
Symptoms include pain, irritation or redness in the eyes and dry mouth. The eyes may feel dry and like there is sand. Many people with this condition may also have vaginal dryness, pain and joint stiffness, muscle aches, dry cracked tongue and enlarged lymph nodes. Other symptoms depend on the affected body parts. For example, there may be shortness of breath due to inflammation and scarring of the lungs. (more…)
Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic (or lifetime) that makes the mouth and dry eyes. The syndrome also can affect any gland in the body, including those that secrete sweat, saliva and oil.
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells and tissues. In this case, the immune system attacks the organs that normally produce lubricating fluids, including saliva glands in the mouth and lacrimal glands in the eye. This leads to scarring, eventually, a marked reduction in the production of tears and saliva, which causes dry eyes and mouth.
Dry mouth and dry eyes can cause cavities, gum disease, poor fitting dentures, salivary gland stones (sialoliths), infection in the salivary glands, oral fungal infection (thrush), mouth sores, weight loss, malnutrition , bacterial conjunctivitis, corneal damage and vision loss. (more…)