Sjogrens Syndrome

Symptoms of Sj?gren's syndrome

There are lots of possible symptoms of Sj?gren's syndrome. The condition affects people differently.

Some people have mild symptoms. Some have more severe symptoms that affect their daily life.

Common symptoms of Sj?gren's syndrome include:

dry eyes
a dry mouth
aching muscles and joints
extreme tiredness

If your mouth is very dry, you may have other problems, such as difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), tooth decay and gum disease.

Other symptoms of Sj?gren's syndrome can include:

dry skin that may be itchy
a cough that does not go away
a quiet or hoarse voice
an unpleasant taste in you mouth caused by stomach acid (acid reflux)
swollen glands in your cheeks, neck and under your jaw (salivary glands)
vaginal dryness

There may be times when your symptoms get worse (flare-ups) and times when they're better (remission).

It's not known exactly why this happens, but it's thought that certain things, such as overdoing it and not resting enough, may trigger your symptoms or make them worse.

See a GP if:

you have symptoms of Sj?gren's syndrome and they're affecting your daily life

How Sj?gren's syndrome is diagnosed

There are other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to Sj?gren's syndrome.

The GP will check for the more common causes and may refer you to some specialists for further tests.

Tests used to help diagnose Sj?gren's syndrome include:

blood tests
eye tests
a test where you spit or dribble into a container for 5 minutes to see how much saliva you produce
an X-ray of your salivary glands to see if they're blocked
a lip biopsy where a small piece of skin that contains salivary glands is removed from your lip and looked at under a microscope

Sometimes you may also have an ultrasound scan or a urine test.

Treatments for Sj?gren's syndrome

There's currently no cure for Sj?gren's syndrome, but there are treatments that can help manage your symptoms.

The type of treatment you need will depend on the symptoms you have and how they're affecting you.

A doctor can prescribe medicines to:

help keep your eyes and mouth wet
help your glands produce more tears and saliva
ease pain and swelling if you have a salivary gland infection
ease pain in your muscles and joints - if you have severe joint pain, you may need a short course of steroid tablets
try to stop your immune system attacking the glands in your body that produce fluid, and reduce symptoms like pain and tiredness

You may be able to get some treatments for eye, mouth and skin symptoms from a pharmacist including eye drops, moisturising skin cream, mouth gel and mouthwash.

Things you can do to help ease the symptoms of Sj?gren's syndrome

If Sj?gren's syndrome is affecting your daily life, there are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms.

Do

drink plenty of water
brush your teeth 2 or 3 times a day using fluoride toothpaste, chew sugar-free gum and have dental check-ups every 6 months
use a humidifier and put plants in your home to increase the amount of water vapour in the air
wear sunglasses with enclosed sides when outside to help stop your eyes drying out
have regular eye checks
eat a healthy, balanced diet - in particular, include foods rich in omega-3, such as oily fish and walnuts
take painkillers, such as paracetamol, to ease muscle and joint pain - if this does not work your doctor may need to prescribe a stronger painkiller
use vaginal moisturiser if you need to, and a water-based lubricant during sex

Don't

do not smoke
do not spend too long in smoky, dry, dusty or windy places, or in air-conditioned or heated rooms
do not use soap that makes your skin dry - you can use emollients
do not use perfumed products in and around your vagina
do not eat too much sugary, salty and acidic food and drink, such as tomatoes, citrus fruits and fizzy drinks
do not read, watch television or look at screens for long periods as this can make your eyes dry

How Sj?gren's syndrome affects your life

Sj?gren's syndrome affects everyone who has it differently.

You may be able to work and continue doing your usual activities. But if your symptoms are more severe, it can affect your daily life.

For example, a dry mouth can make eating difficult, and dry eyes may cause vision problems. You may also have muscle and joint pain and feel tired all the time.

Speak to your doctor if your symptoms are a problem for you.

Most people with Sj?gren's syndrome live into old age and have the same life expectancy as the general population.

Problems related to Sj?gren's syndrome

If you have Sj?gren's syndrome, you're more likely to have other problems.

Your care team will make sure you get treatment if you have any of these conditions.

They include:

eye problems, such as a sore on the eye or itchy eyelids (blepharitis)
other immune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis
conditions that affect digestion, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
loss of feeling in your arms and legs (peripheral neuropathy)
depression
cancer of the lymph glands (non-Hodgkin lymphoma) - this is rare

Pregnancy

If you have Sj?gren's syndrome, your chance of having some complications in pregnancy is increased. For example, there's an increased risk of miscarriage.

Talk to your care team if you're planning to get pregnant or you're in the early stages of pregnancy.

Causes of Sj?gren's syndrome

Sj?gren's syndrome happens when your immune system attacks the glands that produce fluid.

It's not clear why this happens, but it may be:

linked to certain genes
related to certain hormones
triggered by a viral or bacterial infection

More women get Sj?gren's syndrome than men.

Help and support for Sj?gren's syndrome

Sj?gren's syndrome can be a difficult condition to live with, both physically and emotionally.

As well as support from your doctor, you may find it helpful to get support from other people with the condition, either at a local support group or online.

There are also national charities that can offer support and information.

Sj?gren's UK

Information and support for anyone affected by Sj?gren's syndrome.

Website: www.sjogrensuk.org
Helpline: 0121 478 1133

Arthritis UK

Information and support for people affected by arthritis and related conditions, including Sj?gren's syndrome.

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