Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptom Cause Treatment

Do you know Sjogren’s syndrome, which has a high incidence in middle-aged women? This syndrome is accompanied by symptoms of dry mouth and eyes by reducing the secretion of saliva and tears in the body. See below for questions about Sjogren syndrome as a chronic autoimmune disease.

Sjogren syndrome definition

Sjogren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the glands that hydrate the body. This syndrome causes dry mouth, dry eyes, dry skin, chronic cough, numbness in limbs, chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pain, and thyroid disease. Although the cause of the specific disease is not known, it is caused by lymphocytes invading the exocrine glands, such as exposure to bacteria or viruses, inflammation, and connective tissue disease.

Sjogren syndrome causes

Sjogren syndrome can be caused by a variety of causes. The most common cause is the cause of abnormalities in the immune system that protects the human body from the outside. It is a common phenomenon that lymphocytes invade the exocrine glands as a phenomenon that attacks the body of the self to be protected.

Genetic reasons, autonomic nervous system disorders, hormonal abnormalities, etc. are also mentioned as causes of the disease, but no clear cause has been identified until now.

6 symptoms of Sjogren syndrome

1. Dry eye symptoms

The epithelial cells that protect the cornea and conjunctiva are destroyed, resulting in dry keratoconjunctivitis. Because of the lack of tears, it is accompanied by a feeling of burning, redness, itching, and fatigue.

2. Nodular dry symptoms

The mucous membranes in the mouth become dry, making it difficult to eat and speak. You may feel a burning sensation as if your mouth is burning.

3. Dry respiratory symptoms

The secretion of mucus in the respiratory tract is reduced, and organs such as the nose and throat become dry. This can lead to digestive juice secretion, which can lead to problems such as gastritis.

4. Arthritis

About half of people with Sjogren’s syndrome are reported to have arthritis. Arthralgia, chronic polyarthritis, etc. may occur, but it is known that no symptoms of bone shaving have occurred.

5. Skin disease

It is said that about 10% of Sjogren syndrome patients have skin problems such as vitiligo, dryness, hair loss, skin atrophy, and erythema nodules.

6. Other diseases

Interstitial pneumonia, dry cough, nausea, and epigastric pain may also occur.

Sjogren syndrome treatment

When diagnosing Sjogren’s syndrome, substitutes such as artificial tears and artificial saliva are used for the primary purpose. This is to reduce patient discomfort, and depending on the symptoms, cyclosporine eye drops may be used to improve dryness and manage inflammation. If the symptoms are severe, procedures such as tear point cauterization and outer eyelid repair may be performed.

For joint or muscle pain, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. In addition, it is known that skin, lung, and kidney diseases are treated with steroids and antirheumatic drugs. Patients with Sjogren’s syndrome are advised to pay attention to their lifestyle. Sugar-free tablets can promote saliva secretion and reduce tooth damage caused by dry mouth.

In addition, it is important to maintain indoor humidity using a humidifier. Drinking plenty of fluids and getting plenty of rest can also help.

Sjogren syndrome tends to progress slowly or persist chronically. Some people show only mild symptoms, but some even develop serious symptoms. Therefore, treatment based on symptoms is recommended. In very rare cases, involvement of the heart or lungs can result in complications and death.

It is known that about 5% of patients develop lymphoma when Sjogren’s syndrome lasts for a long time. It is said to be frequent in patients with severe symptoms. People with Sjogren’s syndrome have a mortality rate about 2.7 times higher than that of the general population. For women with Sjogren’s syndrome, if you are planning to become pregnant, you should first check with your doctor and have an antibody test.

So far, we have looked at the contents of Sjogren syndrome. This is insufficient information, but I hope it helps. Have a happy day too. Home