History Info to follow...
Symptoms & Diagnosis Do You Find This Information useful? Let us know!!! Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture producing glands. Sjogren's is one of the most prevalent autoimmune disorders. Nine out of ten patients are women. The average age of onset is late 40s although Sjogren's occurs in all age groups in both women and men. About 50% of the time Sjogren's syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the time it occurs in the presence of another connective tissue disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma. Sometimes researchers refer to the first type as "Primary Sjogren's " and the second as "Secondary Sjogren's ." All instances of Sjogren's syndrome are systemic, affecting the entire body. The symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. Sjogren's may also cause dryness of other organs, affecting the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. Many patients experience debilitating fatigue and joint pain. Symptoms can plateau, worsen, or go into remission. While some people experience mild symptoms, others suffer debilitating symptoms that greatly impair their quality of life.
What are the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome? Symptoms may include a dry, gritty, or burning sensation in the eyes; difficulty talking, chewing, or swallowing; a sore or cracked tongue; dry or burning throat; a change in the sense of taste or smell; increased dental decay; joint pain; digestive problems; dry nose; dry skin; and fatigue. *No two people have the exact same set of symptoms!* Is it easy to diagnose Sjogren's syndrome? Sjogren's syndrome often is undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. The symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome may overlap or "mimic" those of other diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Because all symptoms are not always present at the same time and Sjogren's can involve several body systems, physicians and dentists sometimes treat each symptom individually and do not recognize that a systemic disease is present. The average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis is over six years. What kind of doctor treats Sjogren's ? Rheumatologists have primary responsibility for managing Sjogren's syndrome. Ophthalmologists, dentists and other specialists also can treat symptoms related to Sjogren's . Early diagnosis and treatment are important for preventing complications. The symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome may overlap with or mimic those of other diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, dryness can occur for other reasons, such as a side effect of medication like anti-depressants or high blood pressure medication. **Additionally, because all symptoms are not always present at the same time and because Sjogren's can involve several body systems, physicians and dentists sometimes treat each symptom individually and do not recognize that a systemic disease is present. Early diagnosis and High quality professional dental and eye care are extremely important. Many symptoms and problems of Sjogren's syndrome can be treated with over-the-counter medications. And there are non-medication strategies for dealing with the various symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome including use of a humidifier and protective gear such as goggles. Often, patients learn the most from one another in support groups. The feeling of isolation, of not knowing another person with Sjogren's , can be overcome easily. The over the counter (OTC) products include preservative-free artificial tears, artificial salivas, unscented skin lotions, saline nasal sprays. THIS INFO. WILL BE UPDATED WHEN NECESSARY. SEPARATE, MORE DETAILED PAGES WILL FOLLOW IN DUE COURSE.
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