The disorder can affect the nervous system, muscles, joints, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, liver, and pancreas. Sjögren's syndrome is a long-lasting disorder that affects females more often than men.
Overview of Sjögren's Syndrome
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.
Sjögren's (pronounced Show-grin's) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. The body's immune system attacks glands that secrete fluid, such as the tear and saliva glands. The effects of Sjögren's syndrome can be widespread.
Sjögren's syndrome can cause nerve damage which regulates the coordination of heartbeat, respiration, and gastric motility. This is called an “autonomic neuropathy.” Examples of symptoms include lightheadedness when standing, decreased or increased sweating, and feeling full despite eating small meals.
Sjogren's can lead to gastroparesis or irritable bowel syndrome, which both cause abdominal pain. Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach cannot empty normally. Signs include nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.
Avoiding foods that tend to exacerbate symptoms including alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods, and spicy foods.
There are several infectious agents that are suspected to play significant roles in the development of SS, such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein–Barr virus, hepatitis C virus, human T-cell lymphotropic virus-1 (HTLV-1), Staphylococcus saccharolyticus, and Heliobacter pylori (Table 2).
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen are recommended for the joint pain that may accompany Sjögren's syndrome. Low-dose steroids such as prednisone can also reduce joint pain.
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.
We divided SS patients into three stages: stage I is glandular SS, stage II is extraglandular SS, and stage III is extraglandular SS with lymphoid malignancy.
Avoid medicines that are known to cause dry eyes. These include antihistamines, diuretics, and some antidepressants. Talk with your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Sometimes the benefits of a medicine outweigh the risks.
Inflammation can cause pneumonia, bronchitis or other problems in your lungs; lead to problems with kidney function; and cause hepatitis or cirrhosis in your liver. Lymph nodes. A small percentage of people with Sjogren's syndrome develop cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma).
If Sjögren's syndrome isn't treated appropriately, significant, long-term complications could result that affect your eyes, mouth, lungs, kidneys, liver or lymph nodes — complications including blindness, significant dental destruction and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Blood and urine tests, to look for the presence of antibodies common in Sjögren's syndrome. The results of an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test will determine if you have an autoimmune disorder.
An attempt to treat humans with Sjogren's syndrome by raising endogenous PGEl production by administration of essential fatty acid PGEl precursors, of pyridoxine and of vitamin C was successful in raising the rates of tear and saliva production.
Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs (DMARDs)
The most commonly prescribed DMARD is hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil®). It is often prescribed as an initial and long-term therapy in Sjögren's.
The preferred first therapeutic approach for oral dryness according to salivary gland function may be: Non-pharmacological stimulation for mild dysfunction; pharmacological stimulation for moderate dysfunction*; saliva substitution for severe dysfunction (LoE 1a/*1b, LoA 8.7)
Since vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a form of anaemia, some people with Sjögren's syndrome may benefit from taking a supplement.
While Sjogren's patients overall experience higher than expected mortality, most can expect to live a normal lifespan.
Studies show that cardiovascular exercise, in particular, is helpful for Sjogren's (162, 163). It reduces fatigue, brain fog, and depression. Patients who exercise often report an increased sense of wellbeing.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is very similar to the Sjögren's syndrome (SS) by its clinical presentations.
In fact, our previous study using a Sjögren's syndrome animal model presented that probiotics therapy with 5 compositions of Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus alleviated ocular surface disease[22].
Chronic stress and stressful life events can trigger autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel disease. One study also found that multiple stressful events may be a risk factor for developing primary Sjögren's syndrome, but the link is less well-studied.