Sjögren’s (pronounced show-grins) illness is an autoimmune situation that impacts the moisture-making glands within the physique. The illness can have an effect on the eyes, mouth, nasal passages — even the
vagina — and trigger excessive dryness and continual ache amongst different life-altering signs.
Sadly, it could actually take years to get a prognosis for Sjögren’s partially as a result of signs like dryness might be dismissed by healthcare suppliers as eye allergy symptoms or
menopause or simply no huge deal. However Sjögren’s is a severe, systemic illness.
Not too long ago, the worldwide Sjögren’s group formally modified the identify from “Sjögren’s syndrome” to “Sjögren’s illness” to extra precisely replicate how complicated and severe the situation is. And the time period “secondary Sjögren’s” is not used as a result of it implied that Sjögren’s was much less essential when identified together with different
autoimmune ailments.
Learn: Autoimmune Ailments 101 >>
The shift in language is a step in the appropriate route in elevating consciousness concerning the illness. At present, about 4 million individuals within the U.S. live with Sjögren’s and most of them are ladies or individuals assigned feminine at delivery (AFAB).
Right here’s extra on what you’ll want to learn about Sjögren’s illness signs, danger components and coverings.
What’s Sjögren’s illness?
Sjögren’s is an autoimmune illness that happens when the physique’s immune system mistakenly assaults glands that make moisture within the mouth, eyes and different components of the physique. The restricted manufacturing of fluid results in dryness and irritation, amongst different signs.
Sjögren’s may also trigger injury to the lungs, kidneys and nervous system. And folks with Sjögren’s could also be identified with extra autoimmune ailments, similar to rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
What are the signs of Sjögren’s illness?
The most typical signs of Sjögren’s are dry eyes and dry mouth. Your eyes might really feel grainy — like there’s sand in them — and you might expertise blurry imaginative and prescient, sensitivity to mild and itchy eyelids.
Dry mouth may cause issues with swallowing, tasting and talking, and the dearth of saliva can result in dental issues, similar to cavities and mouth infections.
Along with dry eyes and dry mouth, the illness may also have an effect on different tissues and organs and present up in several methods.
Different signs can embrace:
- Dry pores and skin
- Dry nasal passages
- Swelling within the glands within the face and neck
- Fatigue
- Joint ache
- Muscle aches and weak spot
- Reminiscence issues
- Numbness and tingling in legs and arms
- Shortness of breath
- Pores and skin rash
What are the danger components for Sjögren’s illness?
The precise reason behind Sjögren’s illness is unknown, however researchers assume a mix of environmental components, genes and sickness play an element.
You’ll have an elevated danger for Sjögren’s in the event you:
- Are a girl or particular person AFAB
- Are over the age of 40
- Are in perimenopause or menopause
- Have/had sure viral or bacterial infections that will set off Sjögren’s
- Have a direct household historical past of autoimmune ailments
How is Sjögren’s illness identified?
There’s nobody check that may diagnose Sjögren’s illness. And a prognosis might be difficult by the truth that a number of healthcare suppliers are often concerned within the prognosis, together with rheumatologists, dentists and ophthalmologists.
Sometimes, a bodily examination begins the method adopted by blood checks and checks to test tear and saliva ranges. These checks can embrace:
- Blood checks for antibodies SS-A and SS-B
- Schirmer check for tear manufacturing
- Rose bengal and lissamine inexperienced dye checks for indicators of dry eye
- Saliva check
- Salivary gland biopsy
Girls and Sjögren’s illness
9 out of 10 individuals with Sjögren’s illness are ladies and folks AFAB. Analysis is ongoing as to why extra ladies are affected than males, however some analysis means that estrogen — or the dearth of estrogen — might contribute to the illness since most ladies are identified across the time of perimenopause and menopause when estrogen ranges go down.
As a result of lack of moisture within the physique, ladies residing with Sjögren’s may also expertise extra excessive vaginal dryness and genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), in addition to different gynecological issues, than ladies with out Sjögren’s.
What are the therapy choices for Sjögren’s illness?
Remedy plans for Sjögren’s range from individual to individual and no two therapy plans are the identical. That is why it’s essential to be concerned in making selections relating to your therapy choices.
Learn: How Shared Determination-Making Can Result in Higher Healthcare >>
Most individuals with Sjögren’s use a mix of over-the-counter merchandise and prescribed drugs.
Remedy choices can embrace:
- Corticosteroids
- Illness-modifying anti-rheumatic medication (DMARDs)
- Biologics and small molecule therapies
- Prescription dry eye drops and inserts
- Prescription oral medicines for dry mouth
Way of life components such nearly as good dental hygiene and staying hydrated all through the day might assist with signs for some individuals.
There’s no remedy for Sjögren’s, however an individualized therapy plan might help handle signs and cut back the danger for issues. As at all times, speak to your healthcare supplier immediately in case you have signs or assume you might be residing with Sjögren’s illness. The typical prognosis takes three years — there’s no time to waste.
This instructional useful resource was created with help from Amgen, a HealthyWomen Company Advisory Council member.
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