There are approximately four million Americans living with Sjogren’s syndrome.  So what is Sjogren’s syndrome?  This disease which is pronounced “SHOW-grins” is an autoimmune disease that affects the white blood cells within the body and destroys the moisture producing glands.  These moisture producing glands include the tear glands and the saliva glands.  These glands become scarred and are damaged which results in dry eyes and a dry mouth.  When the eyes become dry they begin to burn, itch, and also become red.  Vision may be blurry and it will be uncomfortable to look at bright light.  The eyes may feel like they have sand in them.  The dry mouth symptom will cause difficulty in swallowing, speaking, and tasting.  The sense of smell may also be affected.  A dry cough may also develop over a period of time.  Dry mouth will also prevent the production of saliva; therefore, the chances are higher of developing a mouth infection of cavities.

Sjogren’s syndrome causes the body’s immune to attack its own tissue as if it were a foreign substance.  The exact cause of Sjogren’s syndrome is unknown; however Sjogren’s syndrome occurs in both men and women of all races.  Sjogren’s syndrome is most common in white women who are in their forties and fifties.  Those suffering from Sjogren’s syndrome may have fatigue and pain in the joints; however, in rare cases people suffer problems with lung, kidney, and nerve function.

There is no true cause of Sjogren’s syndrome but doctors believe it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.  A woman’s hormones may also play a role, but this theory is not confirmed.

The most common symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome include:

• Fatigue
• Dry nose
• Digestive problems
• Skin and vaginal dryness
• Joint pain
• Dry, gritty, and/or burning sensation in the eyes
• Dry mouth
• Difficulty talking, swallowing, and/or chewing
• Sore and/or cracked tongue
• Dry and/or burning throat
• Dry and/or peeling lips
• Change in taste and/or smell
• Increased dental decay

Sjogren’s syndrome is classified as either a primary or a secondary disease.  Primary Sjogren’s syndrome can be traced by a doctor.  Symptoms of primary Sjogren’s syndrome include problems with the tear glands and the saliva glands.  Primary Sjogren’s is the result of people having certain antibodies called antinuclear antibodies (ANA) that work against the body.  Secondary Sjogren’s syndrome is caused when a person has an autoimmune disease like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.  These diseases make a person less likely to have the needed antibodies needed to prevent and fight off primary Sjogren’s syndrome.