What is Sjogren's Syndrome
By: Mark MonteiroTotal Views: 54, Word Count: 851,
What is Sjogren's syndrome is the thing many people wonder about. This is a syndrome about a particular disorder called dryness. It is also known as “Mikulicz disease" or “Sicca syndrome". This is a systematic autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack and destroy exocrine glands. This gland is responsible for producing the fluid in our body like saliva and tears. So it causes dryness throughout the body. This syndrome is named after its founder, Henrik Sjögren who was a Swedish ophthalmologist.
Sjogren's syndrome is commonly observed in men and women of any age, but it is mostly found in women with the average of 40-45. In United States, this syndrome has affected more than 4 million people. As per the records, it is the second most common autoimmune disease. This can occur as a disorder in its own right or may develop years after the onset of an associated rheumatic disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, primary biliary cirrhosis etc.
Following are the most common symptoms found in Sjogren's syndrome:
- The first symptom of Sjogren's syndrome is generalized dryness. You will observe dryness throughout your body as this syndrome destroys exocrine gland. The cases of dryness are observed like dry mouth (xerostomia) and dry eyes (xerophthalmia). Apart from these, one can also find dryness in skin, nose, and may be some other organs of the body. Some other parts like kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and nervous system can be affected due to this syndrome.
- Dry Eyes: You eyes may burn due to dryness or feel itchy or gritty. You may feel there is something in the eye.
- Dry Mouth: You feel like your mouth is full of cotton and may experience difficulty in swallowing or speaking. People can experience constant dry cough. It also increases chances of thyroid.
- Dry Nose: You feel really difficult to breath because of dry nose
- Dry Skin: Due to dryness, you can observe rashes over your skin
- Joint Pain: You may experience pain in your joints due to the absence of fluid in your body. You may also find stiffness at various joints and sometimes swelling too. Dryness also causes pain muscles and sometimes numbness in arms or legs. Also, you can experience constant fatigue.
- There are primary and secondary stages of Sjogren's syndrome. In primary level, all the above symptoms are commonly found. In the secondary level, patients may also find Rheumatoid Arthritis or Systemic Sclerosis.
- There are different tests to find out whether you are affected by Sjogren's syndrome. Here is the list:
- You have to check your medical history closely to find out any symptom related to this syndrome. You can also check the medical history in your family.
- There is a physical examination which can state whether you are infected by this syndrome or not. The test results include the amount of water levels, your physical fitness, the amount of fatigue you are experiencing after the test etc.
- There are certain mouth and eye tests that investigate the amount of dryness and the real cause of the dryness.
- You may have to undergo a blood test to determine the working of the exocrine gland. Sometimes doctors can insist on a urine test too.
- The chest X ray is required to determine the root of the illness
There are various treatments available to tackle this illness. You have to depend on the medicines which will help you to reduce the muscle pain and fatigue. Also, there are some medicines which will increase the productivity of the exocrine gland. This will help you to increase the fluid like saliva. In addition to this, you need to increase the immune system.
This is the information about the Sjogren's syndrome. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is better to see the doctor.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
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