About Sjögren's Syndrome • Sjögren's Disease • Sicca Syndrome
By Kevin on
Name of the medical condition and other names that it’s been known by
Sjögren's Syndrome (Sjogren's Syndrome)
Sjögren's Disease (Sjogren's Disease)
Sicca Syndrome
What is Sjögren's Syndrome?
Sjögren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks its own moisture-producing glands, like the ones in the eyes and mouth. This leads to symptoms like dry eyes and dry mouth.
Sjögren's Syndrome can also affect other parts of the body, causing joint pain, fatigue, and sometimes even problems with organs like the lungs or kidneys. It's more common in women, especially those over 40, and often comes with other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. There are two types of Sjögren's Syndrome:
Primary Sjögren's Syndrome: This happens when you have dry eyes and mouth without any other autoimmune disease.
Secondary Sjögren's Syndrome: This occurs when Sjögren's is present along with another autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
How is it diagnosed?
Blood Tests: Doctors look for specific antibodies like SS-A (Ro) and SS-B (La).
Eye Tests: The Schirmer test is used to measure tear production and dyes to check for dry spots on the eyes.
Dental Tests: Dentists measure saliva flow and might do a biopsy of the salivary glands in the patient’s lip.
Medical History and Physical Exam: Doctors will ask about symptoms and check for signs of other autoimmune diseases.
How is it treated?
Over-the-counter: Artificial tears for eyes, artificial saliva for mouth, and various lubricants for other areas.
Prescription Medications: These include drugs like cyclosporine for the eyes, pilocarpine or cevimeline for the mouth, and medications to reduce inflammation or suppress the immune system.
Medical Procedures: Biopsies, scans, and sometimes neurostimulation to help with symptoms.
Trend
In the USA, over four million Americans have Sjögren's Syndrome.
Five-year projection: With ongoing research, the number of diagnosed cases might increase due to better diagnostic tools.
History
Sjögren's Syndrome was first described by Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren in 1933. He noticed that some patients with rheumatoid arthritis also had dry eyes and mouth. Over time, researchers found that this condition could exist independently or with other autoimmune diseases. Today, we know much more about how it affects the body and how to manage its symptoms.
Source of Information
For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice.