Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease causing the primary symptoms of dryness in your mouth and eyes. It occurs if your immune system mistakenly attacks your glands that produces saliva and tears.
Most who are afflicted with dry mouth and eyes are women over 40.
Other Sjogrens syndrome symptoms, beyond dry mouth and dry eyes, might include:
- fatigue
- cavities
- dry cough
- hoarseness
- blurred vision
- sun sensitivity
- vaginal dryness
- dry nose/dry throat
- skin rashes/dry skin
- sense of taste change
- enlarged parotid glands
- constant eye discomfort
- joint pain, swelling, stiffness
- swallowing/chewing difficulties
- recurrent thrush mouth infections
Sjogren’s autoimmune disease is ofttimes linked with:
- lupus
- hepatitis
- cirrhosis
- vasculitis
- bronchitis
- scleroderma
- Graves’ disease
- kidney problems
- rheumatoid arthritis
- peripheral neuropathy
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
A small percent of those with Sjögren’s syndrome develop lymphoma.
Sjogren syndrome may affect numerous organs of your body, like:
- liver
- brain
- lungs
- joints
- nerves
- kidneys
- pancreas
- blood vessels
- digestive organs
There is no known cure for dry mouth and eyes Sjögren’s syndrome. However, some moisture replacement and natural protection treatments can help ease your dryness symptoms:
- use moisturizer
- use rubber gloves
- avoid using very hot water
- use artificial saliva products
- increase humidity of indoor air
- brush your teeth after every meal
- lemon water helps stimulate saliva
- suck on sugarless hard candy/chew gum
- use goggles/protective eye wear outdoors
- increase fluid intake ~ helps to reduce dry mouth
- avoid soaking your hands in water/cleaning solutions
- reduce sugar intake ~ lessens your risk of dental cavities
- massage/warm compresses for parotid gland inflammation
- vaginal moisturizer/lubricant are available for vaginal dryness
- nasal saline sprays ~ helps moisten dry nasal passages and dry mouth
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve joint pain, swelling, stiffness
- hydroxypropyl cellulose (Lacrisert) pellets ~ when dissolved forms a film over moisture
- prescription antifungal lozenges for recurrent oral yeast infections ~ Mycelex/Mycostatin
- artificial tears/eye drops ~ thicker drops require fewer applications, may cause blurry vision
If you frequently feel like you have grit or sand in your eyes, visit your health care provider for proper diagnosis and a long term healthy eye and mouth moisturizing treatment plan.
