Sjögren's Syndrome

What is Sjögren's Syndrome?

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where your immune system attacks the glands that make moisture. This mainly affects the glands that produce tears and saliva. When these glands become inflamed, they cannot make enough fluid to keep your eyes and mouth properly moist.

The condition is chronic, meaning it lasts a long time and requires ongoing management. Sjögren's is systemic, which means it can affect multiple parts of your body beyond just your moisture-producing glands. Some people develop it on its own, called primary Sjögren's syndrome. Others get it alongside another autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, called secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

About 90% of people with Sjögren's syndrome are women, and most are diagnosed after age 40. The condition happens when white blood cells called lymphocytes infiltrate and damage the exocrine glands. These are the glands responsible for secreting fluids like tears, saliva, and other moisture throughout your body.

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Symptoms

Dry eyes that feel gritty, burning, or itchy
Dry mouth that makes swallowing and speaking difficult
Tooth decay and dental problems from lack of saliva
Swollen salivary glands, especially around the jaw and cheeks
Persistent dry cough
Fatigue that interferes with daily activities
Joint pain and stiffness
Skin rashes or dry skin
Vaginal dryness
Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet

Some people have mild symptoms that develop slowly over years. Others experience more severe dryness and systemic effects early on. The severity varies greatly from person to person.

Causes and risk factors

Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, meaning your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In this case, lymphocytes target and infiltrate the exocrine glands. Scientists do not know the exact trigger, but genetics and environmental factors likely play a role. Women, especially those over 40, face higher risk. Having another autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis also increases your chances of developing Sjögren's syndrome.

Certain genes may make you more susceptible to autoimmune conditions. Viral or bacterial infections might trigger the immune response in people who are genetically predisposed. Hormonal factors may explain why women are affected far more often than men. Environmental triggers are still being studied, but the condition appears to result from a combination of genetic vulnerability and external factors.

How it's diagnosed

Diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome involves blood tests, imaging, and sometimes tissue samples. Blood tests look for specific antibodies that indicate autoimmune activity. The ANA screen detects antinuclear antibodies that are common in autoimmune diseases. Sjögren's antibodies SS-A and SS-B are highly specific markers for this condition. Rheumatoid factor and complement component C4c levels help assess inflammation and immune system activity.

Rite Aid's preventive health service tests for ANA, Sjögren's antibodies SS-A and SS-B, rheumatoid factor, and complement C4c. These biomarkers help identify autoimmune patterns consistent with Sjögren's syndrome. Your doctor may also perform an eye exam to measure tear production, a salivary gland biopsy, or imaging of your salivary glands to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment options

Artificial tears and eye drops to relieve dry eyes
Saliva substitutes and sugar-free gum or lozenges to stimulate saliva production
Drinking water frequently throughout the day
Using a humidifier at home and work
Medications like hydroxychloroquine to reduce inflammation
Immunosuppressive drugs for severe systemic symptoms
Prescription eye drops like cyclosporine to reduce eye inflammation
Regular dental care to prevent cavities from dry mouth
Anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Gentle exercise to manage joint pain and fatigue
Avoiding smoking, caffeine, and alcohol, which worsen dryness

Frequently asked questions

The earliest signs are usually dry eyes and dry mouth that persist for weeks or months. Your eyes may feel gritty, burning, or overly sensitive to light. You might have difficulty swallowing dry foods or notice you need to drink water constantly. Some people also experience unexplained fatigue before dryness symptoms become obvious.

Blood tests are a key part of diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome. Tests for Sjögren's antibodies SS-A and SS-B are highly specific for this condition. ANA screening detects antinuclear antibodies common in autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid factor and complement C4c levels help assess immune system activity and inflammation patterns.

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management. Most people manage symptoms effectively with treatment and lifestyle changes. However, severe cases can affect organs like the lungs, kidneys, liver, and nervous system. Regular monitoring helps catch complications early and prevent long-term damage.

Primary Sjögren's syndrome occurs on its own without other autoimmune diseases. Secondary Sjögren's syndrome develops in people who already have another autoimmune condition like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Both types cause similar dryness symptoms, but secondary Sjögren's involves managing multiple autoimmune conditions at once.

Lifestyle changes play an important role in managing symptoms. Drinking plenty of water, using humidifiers, and avoiding dry environments help. An anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce inflammation. Avoiding smoking, caffeine, and alcohol prevents worsening dryness. Regular exercise helps with fatigue and joint pain.

About 90% of people with Sjögren's syndrome are women. Hormonal factors likely influence immune system behavior and susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Most women are diagnosed after age 40, often around or after menopause. The exact mechanism is not fully understood, but sex hormones appear to play a significant role.

Treatment depends on symptom severity and which parts of your body are affected. Hydroxychloroquine reduces inflammation and systemic symptoms. Prescription eye drops like cyclosporine treat dry eyes. Pilocarpine and cevimeline stimulate saliva production. Severe cases may require immunosuppressive drugs like methotrexate, azathioprine, or rituximab.

Yes, Sjögren's syndrome can affect organs throughout your body. Lung inflammation, kidney problems, liver issues, and nerve damage can occur. Some people develop lymphoma, a type of cancer affecting white blood cells. Regular blood tests and medical monitoring help detect these complications early so they can be addressed promptly.

Regular testing helps monitor disease activity and detect complications. Your doctor will likely recommend blood tests every 3 to 6 months initially. Once your condition is stable, testing may happen once or twice per year. Rite Aid's preventive health service offers twice-yearly testing to track antibody levels and inflammation markers.

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic condition that typically does not go into complete remission. However, symptoms can improve significantly with proper treatment. Some people experience periods of lower disease activity with fewer symptoms. Consistent management with medications, lifestyle changes, and regular monitoring helps maintain quality of life.