Sjogrens Syndrome

Sjogrens syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the white blood cells attack the moisture producing glands. Discovered in 1933 by Dr. Henrik Sjogren, it is a systemic disease, meaning that it can effect the entire body. It can produce mild symptoms or produce debilitating symptoms that can interfere with normal living. It is often misdiagnosed and can take up to 6.5 years to receive the diagnosis due to its ability to mimic other diseases.

Approximately 4 million people in the U.S. are living with this disease. 9 out of 10 patients are female. The risk factors for this disease are as follows:

--female

--40 years of age or older

--a rheumatic disease already present in the body

--family history of sjogrens disease

Major Symptoms

--dry eyes

--dry mouth

--fatigue

--joint pain

OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT MAY BE INCLUDED:

--dry nose

--mouth sores or sores on tongue

--dental decay

--DRY SKIN

--stomach upset

--neuropathy

--corneal ulcers

--difficulty swallowing, talking, and chewing

--bronchitis

--pneumonia

--heartburn

--reflux esophagitis

--vaginal dryness

--primary biliary cirrohsis

--hepatitis

--brain fog (confusion, memory loss, no concentration)

--nose bleeds

--sinus problems

Other Organs Can Be Effected

--gastrointestinal system

--blood vessels

--lungs

--liver

--pancreas

--nervous system

-- thyroid

People with S.S. have a greater risk of developing lymphoma ( cancer of the lymph nodes). Symptoms of this include swelling of the salivary glands, weight loss, night sweats, and fatigue.

Two Types

--Primary, this is the disease without other connective tissue diseases.

--Secondary, when the disease occurs in conjunction with another connective tissue disease such as, lupus, scleroderma, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Diagnosis

--Rheumatoid Arthritis

-- Menopause

--Lupus

--Multiple Sclerosis

--Drug side effects

--Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

--Fibromyalgia

--Allergies

Research is currently being conducted to upgrade the diagnostic criteria for this disease. There is no current single test for the diagnosis. The diagnosis is derived from your symptoms, tests which are performed by your physician, and a set of criteria which checks the dryness levels of your body.

No cure is available yet, but there is treatment. Since every patient and case can be so different it is important to talk with your physician, eye specialist, and dentist about various treatments. Have your physician (or most likely Rheumatologist) head up the team of your advisers. Be pro-active about your health. Have them work together for an individualize plan for you. Not every treatment will work for everyone. Some people can get by with over the counter drugs, others will need prescriptions for immunosuppresive medications. Never the less, anything you are taking including nutritional supplements , herbs, or other meds, needs to be approved by your doctor.

Here is a list of tests most commonly performed:

--Blood

--Urine

--X-ray called a sialogram to determine the flow of saliva.

--Biopsy, which is used for the detection of clusters of inflammatory cells.

--Eye tests, to measure the dryness of your eyes and to check for cornea damage.

As with most diseases early detection and treatment can make you feel so much better and is key to your comfort. Please follow my guidelines on dry skin care and skin care basics in addition to any recommendations from your doctor. You may want to also join a support group for some tips on what other people are doing to live with S.S. Stay moisturized!--Marcella

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