Sjögren’s Syndrome

What is Sjögren’s Syndrome?
Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, where your immune system attacks your own healthy cells. . It commonly affects your eyes and salivary glands, but can also affect other parts of the body..

Symptoms of Sjögren’s Syndrome

• Dry eyes, including a painful burning, itchy or gritty feeling
• Dry mouth, making it difficult to swallow, speak or eat dry foods
• Swelling of the glands in the face and neck areas.
• Eye and mouth dryness can also increase your risk for eye infections and dental problems.

• Joint pain, swelling and stiffness
• Dry skin
• Vaginal dryness
• Persistent dry cough
• Prolonged fatigue.

• A few people will have their liver and kidneys affected.

• A few people will also develop lymphoma (cancer of the lymph nodes).

Symptoms of Sjogrens Syndrome

The cause of Sjögren’s Syndrome is unknown. It is more common in women, people over 40 and those who have rheumatic disease, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Diagnosing Sjögren’s Syndrome
Besides your symptoms, Sjögren’s Syndrome is diagnosed through tests, including:

• Schirmer’s test – to check whether your eyes are producing enough tears
• Blood tests – to check for antibodies common in Sjögren’s syndrome
• Imaging to test how your salivary glands are working
• Biopsy – a small sliver of tissue from your lip is checked for presence of inflammatory cells.
Sjögren’s syndrome treatment

Treating Sjögren’s Syndrome.
There is no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome however, most people with Sjögren’s Syndrome are able to live normally, without any serious complications – especially if they take care to manage their symptoms.

Treatments to relieve symptoms can involve medications to increase the production of saliva, treat complications like arthritis with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or meds that suppress the immune system.

There are also ways to manage symptoms yourself:

For dry eyes –

• Use artificial tears or an eye lubricant.

• Regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist (eye specialist),

• wear protective eye-wear to avoid exposure to the wind or sun

For dry nose –

• Use a saline spray for a dry nose

For dry mouth –

• Drink frequent sips of water

• Avoid drinking alcohol

• Use artificial saliva, mouth rinses, sugarless gum or lozenges

• Keep your mouth very clean, limit sugar, regular check-ups with a dentist

For general dryness –

• Increase indoor humidity

• Use preservative-free moisturiser for skin

• Avoid drying conditions such as drafts from heaters and air conditioners,

• Avoid exposure to dusty or windy weather.

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I’m sure you are wondering what this has to do with the price of tea in China.. Well.. I originally started this post a few months back when I first started have most of the above issues. After doing a bit of research this seemed the most likely culprit. Unfortunately, my blood test came back negative. So I’m still wondering why I’m having dryness problems. Anyone have any suggestions?