Symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome 3. Causes of Sjogren's syndrome 4. Diagnosing Sjogren's syndrome 5. Treating Sjogren's syndrome 6. Complications of Sjogren's syndrome. Dry eyes and mouth can usually be helped with artificial tears and saliva. In severe cases, medication or surgery may be recommended. Many women also experience vaginal dryness, which can make sex painful.
The immune system Your immune system usually helps protect the body from infection and illness by making antibodies. The importance of tears We usually only notice our tears when we cry, but our eyes are always covered by a thin layer of tears, known as a tear film.
They: lubricate the eye keep the eye clean and free of dust protect the eye against infection help stabilise your vision The importance of saliva Saliva also serves several important functions, including: keeping the mouth and throat naturally lubricated aiding digestion by moistening food and containing enzymes that can break down certain starches acting as a natural disinfectant saliva contains antibodies, enzymes and proteins that protect against some common bacterial and fungal infections.
See your GP if you experience any symptoms of dryness, particularly of your eyes and mouth. Have you had daily, persistent, troublesome dry eyes for more than three months?
Do you keep having a sensation of grit in your eye? Do you need to use eye drops containing tear substitutes more than three times a day? Have you had a daily feeling of dry mouth for more than three months? Do you keep getting swollen salivary glands located between your jaw and your ears?
Do you frequently drink liquids to help you swallow food? Tear break-up time and Schirmer tests Tear break-up time and Schirmer tests are usually carried out by an ophthalmologist a doctor who specialises in treating eye conditions.
Lip biopsy During a lip biopsy , a small tissue sample is removed from your inner lip and examined under a microscope. Salivary flow rate A salivary flow rate test measures how much saliva your glands produce.
Eye care Artificial tears Mild to moderate cases of dry eye can usually be successfully treated with eye drops containing "artificial tears" — a liquid that mimics tears. Some people used to be embarrassed to wear them, but modern designs look like sports glasses. Punctal plugs Punctual occlusion is a widely-used technique that seals the tear ducts into which the tears drain with small plugs. Mouth care Looking after your mouth A number of techniques can be used to keep your mouth lubricated, including: maintaining good oral hygiene to prevent tooth decay and gum disease increasing your fluid intake using sugar-free chewing gum to stimulate saliva production sucking ice cubes to help lubricate your mouth and reduce dryness regularly using mouth rinses to soothe your mouth and protect it against infection If you smoke, you should try to quit.
Read more about how to stop smoking Saliva substitutes There are a number of saliva substitute products that can help lubricate your mouth. Side effects of pilocarpine include: hyperhidrosis excessive sweating nausea diarrhoea heartburn abdominal stomach pain an increased need to go to the toilet For some people, the side effects of pilocarpine are mild.
Hydroxychloroquine Hydroxychloroquine has been shown to slow down the immune system's attack on the tear and saliva glands. Side effects are uncommon and usually mild. They include: nausea skin rash loss of appetite stomach cramps vomiting In very rare cases, hydroxychloroquine can damage the retina, affecting vision.
Hydroxychloroquine shouldn't be used by breastfeeding women. Vaginal dryness Vaginal dryness can be treated using a lubricant. In addition, Sjogren's syndrome may cause skin, nose, and vaginal dryness, and may affect other organs of the body including the kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and brain.
Most people are more than 40 years old at the time of diagnosis. Treatment is generally symptomatic and supportive. Moisture replacement therapies may ease the symptoms of dryness. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used to treat musculoskeletal symptoms. For individuals with severe complications, corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs may be prescribed. Some people may experience only the mild symptoms of dry eyes and mouth, while others go through cycles of good health followed by severe disease.
Many patients are able to treat problems symptomatically. Learn more. The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health. From Genetics Home Reference. Inheritance A predisposition to develop autoimmune disorders can be passed through generations in families. Other Names for This Condition Dacryosialoadenopathia atrophicans Gougerot-Houwer-Sjogren syndrome Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome Keratoconjunctivitis sicca Keratoconjunctivitis sicca-xerostomia Secreto-inhibitor-xerodermostenosis Sicca syndrome Sjogren's syndrome Sjogren-Gougerot syndrome.
Research Studies from ClinicalTrials. Aust Dent J. Research suggests that genetic factors and possibly viral infections may predispose people to developing this condition. Diagnosis depends on a combination of symptoms, physical examination, blood tests, and sometimes special studies.
Dry eyes and mouth may be early signs of the condition but require further investigation, because these symptoms can be caused by many other conditions or medications. Special tests may assess any decrease in tear or saliva production. Blood tests can determine the presence of antibodies immune system proteins that help destroy foreign invaders typical of the disease. Biopsies of saliva glands around the face or under the surface of the inner lip also may be used to make a diagnosis.
Treatment is designed to lessen the most bothersome symptoms. Dry eyes usually respond to artificial tears applied regularly during the day or to gels applied at night. Other measures, such as plugging or blocking tear ducts, can be used in more severe cases. Eye drops that reduce inflammation in the glands around the eyes, such as cyclosporine Restasis , may be used to increase tear production.
Drinking water, chewing gum, or using saliva substitutes may relieve dry mouth. Some patients benefit from using prescription medications that stimulate saliva flow, such as pilocarpine Salagen or cevimuline Evoxac.
0コメント