Sjogren's Syndrome: Learn About the Symptoms

Sjogren's Syndrome, pronounced "show grins", is a chronic disorder that occurs when a person's body does not create enough moisure in certain areas of the body. The immune system in people with Sjogren's Syndrome attacks and destroys moisture producing glands in the body. The most commonly affected areas are the salivary glands and lacrimal glands. These are the glands in the body that produce saliva and tears. Other areas of the body can be affected by Sjogren's Syndrome as well, including but not limited to the bowel and the lungs.

Not all individual's with Sjogren's Syndrome will have the same physical symptoms, however, all will have the common link of insufficient moisture production. There is a distinction in the type of Sjogren's a person has based on other clinical factors. Primary Sjogren's Syndrome occurs when no other form of illness is present, and therefore Sjogren's is ruled to be a stand alone condition. Seconday Sjogren's Syndrome will be the diagnosis when a person has other autoimmune health conditions present before the onset of the Sjogren's symprtoms including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, or vasculitis. Due to the often overlapping symptoms of other autoimmune conditions, Sjogren's can be hard for a primary care physician to diagnose and often a rheumatologist is consulted when symptoms are noted.

Common symptoms of Sjogren's disease are dry eyes. Dry eyes can often feel gritty or be red and indidivual's experience dry eyes may describe their eyes as burning. Dry mouth can also be a complication of Sjogren's Syndrome. Dry mouth can lead to hoarseness, difficulty with speaking, swallowing and even a recurrent dry cough. Often times an individual will experience swollen parotid glands. The parotids are found at the base of the jaw and can get infected. That's why proper oral hygiene is incredibly important to individual's experiencing Sjogren's Syndrome.

Additional symptoms of Sjogren's can include a generalized fatigue. This is an excessive fatigue that does not go away. Aches and pains in the muscles and joints are a common complaint. Nerves can also be irritated with Sjogren's Syndrome and tingling or numbness in the arms, hands, legs and feet may occur. Sjogren's has been linked with thyroid gland abnormalities, as well as gastrointestinal problems. Inflammation of the lungs, liver, kidneys and pancreas are also sometimes seen in Sjogren's Syndrome.

Due to the diverse nature of Sjogren's, individuals who suspect they may have Sjogren's may need to be sent to a specialist. Rheumatologists are the specialist of choice when it comes to Sjogren's as many of the related conditions such as lupus and arthritis are dealt with in this specialty area of autoimmune disorders.