Sjögren's syndrome is a condition that decreases your body's secretions of tears and saliva. This leads to dry eyes (known medically as keratoconjunctivitis sicca, or KCS) and dry mouth (known as xerostomia).
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, which implies that your body's immune system unwittingly attacks your own cells, believing them to be dangerous invaders like viruses and bacteria. The lymphocytes (one of many types of immune cells) in patients with the disease selectively attack moisture-producing glandular tissues.
The salivary (saliva-producing) and lachrymal (tear-producing) glands are singularly threatened, as well as the sweat-producing glands in your skin. The capacity to produce saliva and tears is inexorably impaired, leading to dry mouth and dry eyes.
The abnormal condition is also classified as a chronic rheumatic autoimmune disease. The organs of persons with the condition extrude auto-antibodies such as rheumatoid factor and anti-nuclear antibodies. There are close approximations between Sjögren's syndrome and other autoimmune rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis (inflammation in many muscles), and dermatomyositis (inflammation in muscles plus distinctive skin rash).
Women account for more than 90 per cent of Sjögren's syndrome patients, especially those about 50 years of age. Children under 15 years old may also be afflicted.
Dry Eye Symptoms
The most generally noticed manifestation is the feeling of having a foreign matter in the eye, or of grittiness or sandiness. Burning feelings are also felt. You may notice accumulations of thick strings of mucous around the inner corners of the eyelids, especially after sleeping. You may experience redness in the eye, hyper-sensitivity to light, and blurry vision as if a filmy curtain is blocking the view. Reports about difficulty with watching television and reading are numerous, as well as general eye discomfort. But although tear production is limited, there are few complaints about being unable to cry.
Dry Mouth Symptoms
The widespread symptoms include chewing, swallowing, and speaking difficulties; food getting stuck on the inner cheek; unfamiliar taste or smell sensations; cracking in the tongue, mucous membranes, and lips (the corners of the mouth are particularly vulnerable); and, pervasive tooth decay. Patients feel the impulse to drink more liquids, especially at mealtimes or when consuming toast or a cracker.
There may also be dryness in the nose, throat and larynx, windpipe and bronchial tubes. The dryness may cause nosebleeds, hoarseness in the throat, bronchitis or pneumonia, and even problems in the middle ear. The parotid gland (where one feels the mumps) becomes enlarged in half of Sjögren's syndrome patients.
In more severe cases, prescription medicine or surgery may be more effective for treatment. The doctor may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to obtain relief from specific manifestations such as arthritis. For more widespread symptoms, your doctor may recommend immune-suppressive medications or certain malaria-treatment drugs.
Minor surgery can be employed for relieving dry eye symptoms. This generally involves closing off the tear ducts with permanent silicone (or temporary collagen) plugs. The plugs are called punctal plugs since they are attached at the puncta, the points in your eye where tears start draining out. Alternatively, a laser may be used to create a permanent seal.
For less severe symptoms, the doctor may give artificial tears or special eyedrops. Cyclosporine in a castor oil base is a mainstay prescription medication that reduces inflammation in the tear glands, inducing them to produce more tears.
You can use appropriate accessories to cover the eyes in windy environments. If you are indoors, do not go near the cooling vent or other devices that may blow vigorous airflows into your eyes. Try to increase the indoor humidity to lower the tear loss from your eyes due to evaporation. Also, do not forget to always drink plenty of water.
Learn more about how to treat Sjogren's Syndrome here. Visit ComfortEye for additional information about Sjogren's Syndrome and dry eye related problems.
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