Sjögren's syndrome
Overview
Sjögren's syndrome (also known as Sjögren's disease) is a condition where the glands that produce fluid, such as tears and spit (saliva), stop working properly. It can affect your daily life, but treatments can help ease the symptoms.
Symptoms
There are lots of possible symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome. The condition affects people differently. Some people have mild symptoms. Some have more severe symptoms that affect their daily life. Common symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome include: dry eyesadry mouthaching muscles and jointsextreme tiredness If your mouth is very dry, you may have other problems, such asdifficulty swallowing (dysphagia),tooth decayandgum disease. Other symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome can include: dry skin that may be itchya cough that does not go awaya quiet or hoarse voicean unpleasant taste in you mouth caused by stomach acid (acid reflux)swollen glands in your cheeks, neck and under your jaw (salivary glands)vaginal dryness There may be times when your symptoms get worse (flare-ups) and times when they're better (remission). It's not known exactly why this happens, but it's thought that certain things, such as overdoing it and not resting enough, may trigger your symptoms or make them worse. If Sjögren's syndrome is affecting your daily life, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms. drink plenty of water drink plenty of water brush your teeth 2 or 3 times a day using fluoride toothpaste, chew sugar-free gum and havedental check-upsevery 6 months brush your teeth 2 or 3 times a day using fluoride toothpaste, chew sugar-free gum and havedental check-upsevery 6 months use a humidifier and put plants in your home to increase the amount of water vapour in the air use a humidifier and put plants in your home to increase the amount of water vapour in the air wear sunglasses with enclosed sides when outside to help stop your eyes drying out wear sunglasses with enclosed sides when outside to help stop your eyes drying out have regular eye checks have regular eye checks eat a healthy, balanced diet– in particular, include foods rich in omega-3, such as oily fish and walnuts eat a healthy, balanced diet– in particular, include foods rich in omega-3, such as oily fish and walnuts take painkillers, such asparacetamol, to ease muscle and joint pain – if this does not work your doctor may need to prescribe a stronger painkiller take painkillers, such asparacetamol, to ease muscle and joint pain – if this does not work your doctor may need to prescribe a stronger painkiller use vaginal moisturiser if you need to, and a water-based lubricant during sex use vaginal moisturiser if you need to, and a water-based lubricant during sex do not smoke do not smoke do not spend too long in smoky, dry, dusty or windy places, or in air-conditioned or heated rooms do not spend too long in smoky, dry, dusty or windy places, or in air-conditioned or heated rooms do not use soap that makes your skin dry – you can useemollients do not use soap that makes your skin dry – you can useemollients do not use perfumed products in and around your vagina do not use perfumed products in and around your vagina do not eat too much sugary, salty and acidic food and drink, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and fizzy drinks do not eat too much sugary, salty and acidic food and drink, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and fizzy drinks do not read, watch television or look at screens for long periods as this can make your eyes dry do not read, watch television or look at screens for long periods as this can make your eyes dry
Causes
Sjögren's syndrome happens when your immune system attacks the glands that produce fluid. It's not clear why this happens, but it may be: linked to certain genesrelated to certain hormonestriggered by a viral or bacterial infection More women get Sjögren's syndrome than men.
Treatment
There's currently no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, but there are treatments that can help manage your symptoms. The type of treatment you need will depend on the symptoms you have and how they're affecting you. A doctor can prescribe medicines to: help keep your eyes and mouth wethelp your glands produce more tears and salivaease pain and swelling if you have a salivary gland infectionease pain in your muscles and joints – if you have severe joint pain, you may need a short course ofsteroid tabletstry to stop your immune system attacking the glands in your body that produce fluid, and reduce symptoms like pain and tiredness You may be able to get some treatments for eye, mouth and skin symptoms from a pharmacist including eye drops, moisturising skin cream, mouth gel and mouthwash.
Prevention
Cannot be prevented.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: persistent dry eyes/mouth.