Symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome with ILD may include: Feeling very tired when going about your normal day. Shortness of breath, especially with mild physical activity. Dry cough that doesn't go away.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may cause life-threatening complications of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and has a poor prognosis in terms of survival and quality of life.
Patients with Sjogren's disease have destruction of the mucus secreting cells in the bronchi. This manifestation of the disease leads to the common complaint of persistent dry cough that is seen in many of these patients.
tests (PFTs) may be considered to evaluate for the presence of underlying pulmonary manifestations. PFTs should include pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Abnormalities identified may require further corroboration with advanced testing.
The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, but other parts of the body may be affected as well, with many people reporting fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system.
Avoid foods that dry your mouth
You should also avoid spices and acidic foods such as citrus, as these can irritate a dry, sore mouth. You should also avoid sugary foods that can contribute to rapid tooth decay, which is already increased by lower saliva production in Sjogren's syndrome.
While many patients experience dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain, Sjögren's can also cause dysfunction of organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system.
Skin rash. Numbness and pain due to neuropathy. Cough and shortness of breath due to lung disease. Irregular heartbeat.
Exams and Tests
Blood tests to check for autoimmune diseases. Bronchoscopy with or without biopsy. Chest x-ray. High resolution CT (HRCT) scan of the chest.
Blood Test. A blood test can detect specific antibodies—immune system proteins that normally bind to harmful substances—that may signal autoimmune diseases. The antibodies associated with Sjogren's include anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibodies.
It is common for SS patients to exhibit symptoms of recurrent sinusitis, or allergy such as "post-nasal" drip or frequent "throat clearing" with mucus [15]. Many patients with these complaints have acid reflux that results in laryngotracheal irritation, that stimulates vagal responses that mimic sinusitis.
The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.
Overview. Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Results: SS-related dry eye is a progressive condition with major negative impact on the quality-of-life of afflicted patients, not only due to symptoms of ocular discomfort but also visual dysfunction. In addition, SS can lead to corneal melt/perforation, uveitis, scleritis, retinal vasculitis, and optic neuritis.
However, in the case of Sjogren's syndrome your immune system attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. This prevents the glands from working properly and causes dryness of the mouth, eyes or other tissues. The condition may progress slowly, so the typical symptoms of dry eyes and mouth may take years to show.
Shortness of breath (dyspnea) A dry cough. Fatigue. Unexplained weight loss.
Wheezing: Noisy breathing or wheezing is a sign that something unusual is blocking your lungs' airways or making them too narrow. Coughing up blood: If you are coughing up blood, it may be coming from your lungs or upper respiratory tract. Wherever it's coming from, it signals a health problem.
Sjogren's syndrome is associated with chronic cough, but sicca symptoms are missing from cough evaluation guidelines. We evaluated patients with unexplained cough for undiagnosed Sjogren's syndrome.
When it does, it can result from damage to the lung tissue, as a reaction to low oxygen levels, or blood-vessel abnormalities in the lungs. Common signs of Sjögren's-related PH include cough, shortness of breath, leg swelling, chest pains and fainting.
Sjogren's Syndrome patients often complain of mental fatigue or “brain fog.” Brain fog impairs focus, causes fuzzy concentration, and contributes to difficulty in problem-solving. Keep your stress levels low, and give your brain a workout with crosswords, puzzles, reading, adult coloring books, or online brain games.
Global cognitive impairment in Sjögren's
Most patients experience “brain fog” symptoms, which manifest as memory lapses, forgetfulness, mental confusion, and difficulties in concentrating, organizing, or anticipating future events.
Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a common autoimmune disease involving initially the salivary and lacrimal glands (1). In later stages of the disease, lung and kidney damage is prevalent and 5% of patients eventually develop lymphoma (2).
In most people with Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary features of the disorder, and general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected.