Sjögren's Syndrome: Why Your Mouth and Eyes Feel Dry
Miscellaneous / / October 22, 2023
Sometimes it’s not because you have a strong character that you can’t cry.
What kind of syndrome is this?
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that primarily affects are affected salivary and lacrimal glands. Because of this, it seems that the mouth and eyes are dry.
Joints, kidneys, liver, lungs, skin and even nerves can also be affected - as with other autoimmune diseases, the immune system can attack several organs at once.
Are only your mouth and eyes dry?
Not always. Sometimes can the mucous membranes of the nose and throat, vagina and even the intestines and lungs are affected. This leads to various uncomfortable sensations, but such manifestations are rare. The biggest problems are caused by dry eyes and mouth.
And these are all the symptoms?
No. In addition to dry mucous membranes, can be the following symptoms:
- prolonged fatigue or weakness;
- joint pain, swelling and stiffness;
- skin rash or dry skin;
- persistent dry cough;
- swollen salivary glands.
Is this dangerous at all?
Yes, because
Maybe cause complications that develop into full-fledged diseases. The most common complications are related to the eyes and mouth, but other organs can also be affected. So, complications include:- caries;
- fungal infections in the mouth and vagina;
- photosensitivity and blurred vision;
- conjunctivitis;
- pneumonia, bronchitis and other pulmonary diseases;
- hepatitis and cirrhosis of the liver;
- lymph node cancer;
- salivary gland cancer;
- feeling of numbness, tingling and burning in the extremities.
Can anyone get the disease or is it genetic?
Research shows that the presence of autoimmune diseases in parents, as well as mutations in the IRF5 gene increase the likelihood of developing Sjögren's syndrome. In addition, autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus that a person already has can contribute to the onset of the syndrome. There are also risk factors and groups for this disease.
And what are the risk factors?
Risk factors include:
- gender - the ratio of women and men with this syndrome amounts to 16:1;
- age - more often Sjögren's syndrome begins in people over 40 years of age;
- environment - polluted air and poor ecology in general are negative influence on health, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases;
- chronic stress – due to stress the immune system is imbalanced, are launched inflammatory mechanisms, which becomes a risk factor.
Is there a treatment?
Treatment for Sjögren's syndrome depends on which organs are affected. Majority needs for simple symptomatic treatments such as eye drops, but some people require prescription medications or even surgery.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest medications that:
- Reduce eye inflammation. Prescription eye drops such as cyclosporine may help with moderate to severe dry eyes.
- Increase saliva production. Drugs such as pilocarpine and cevimeline can increase the production of saliva and sometimes tears.
- Eliminate specific complications. If you develop symptoms arthritis - pain and stiffness in the joints - you may need non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Yeast infections in the mouth should be treated with antifungal medications.
- Reduce system-wide symptoms. Hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat malaria, often helps treat Sjögren's syndrome. Medicines that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate, may also be prescribed.
For surgical treatment applies a procedure to close the tear ducts. Special plugs are inserted into the ducts, which retain tears, and therefore the eyes are better moisturized.
So it’s impossible to be cured forever?
Unfortunately, No, as is the case with other autoimmune diseases. Currently, research is being actively conducted to find drugs, but there are no results yet.
You can only stop the symptoms and change your lifestyle to go into remission.
How should you change your lifestyle?
It is enough to take care of the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth and do a few more things:
- Regularly use artificial tears, moisturizing drops and eye gels. Remember: the thicker the consistency of the product, the less often it needs to be instilled. Thus, some gels can affect the clarity of vision and accumulate on eyelashes, so it’s better to put them in only at night.
- Use a humidifier. And try not to sit in front of a fan or air conditioning vent.
- When you go outside, wear glasses to protect yourself from the wind.
- Do not smoke. Smoking can irritate and dry out mucous membranes.
- Drink more. Especially water. But it’s better to avoid coffee and alcohol: they dry out your mouth. Also avoid acidic drinks: acid can harm the enamel of your teeth.
- Stimulate saliva flow. Chewing sugar-free gum or citrus-flavored hard candies may help. Since Sjögren's syndrome increases the risk of tooth decay, limit the amount of sweets you eat, especially between meals.
- Try artificial saliva. Saliva replacement products often work better than plain water because they contain a lubricant that helps your mouth stay moist longer.
- Use a saline nasal spray. It will help moisturize and clear your nasal passages. This is important because breathing through the mouth makes the mucous membranes even drier.
- If the skin is affected, use a moisturizer and special soap. For vaginal dryness - lubricants.
take care of yourself🧐
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