Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease – a disorder in which the body attacks its own tissues, believing that they are foreigners. Prevents the body from exocrine (producing of moisture) gland producing enough moisture for different areas of your body. This leads to chronic dryness for life. Sjogren's syndrome affects many areas of your body. In addition to the mouth and eyes, other affected areas include the skin, vagina, respiratory tract (lungs) and gastrointestinal tract (Stomach and intestines).
Even the pancreas glands and sweat may be affected.
People at risk include:
The females, or which are about 90 percent of patients
O People over 40 years
or those with other autoimmune diseases rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus and scleroderma
Individuals or on medications for allergies, high blood pressure, and depression
O People who have undergone radiation therapy
O Patients who have had bone marrow transplants
A common symptom of Sjogren's syndrome is dryness that lost long ago. The dryness can lead to other serious medical conditions, including:
Eye or (ulceration the cornea, severe infections)
or mouth (Increased incidence of cavities, bronchitis, pneumonia)
Rarely, in patients with serious problems autoimmune Sjogren, the kidneys may be affected. A small percentage of patients will develop lymphoma.
The symptoms Sjogren's are sometimes difficult to recognize because they take time to develop and may seem signs of other medical conditions.
Fortunately, treatment with symptomatic therapies, as well as disease-modifying drugs are available.
Evaluation by an experienced rheumatologist is recommended.
Dr. Wei (pronounced “way”) is a board-certified rheumatologist and Clinical Director of the nationally respected Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center of Maryland. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and has served as a consultant to the Arthritis Branch of the National Institutes of Health. He is a Fellow of the American College of Rheumatology and the American College of Physicians. For more information on arthritis and related conditions, go to: Types of Arthritis