What is Sjögren’s Syndrome? Symptoms and Treatment

Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and eyes. With early diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms and improve the patient’s quality of life.

What is Sjögren’s Syndrome?

The immune system (immune system) is a powerful and complex defense system that protects the body against diseases, pathogens, tumor cells and all kinds of foreign and harmful substances that enter the body, with the help of white blood cells (lymphocytes). As a result of various reasons, sometimes the immune system may perceive the body’s own tissues as foreign matter. As a result, it begins to attack cells in different parts of the body. This causes damage to healthy tissues. Disorders that occur as a result of damage are called autoimmune diseases. Sjögren’s syndrome is also an autoimmune disease that particularly affects the salivary and tear glands. Apart from the glands that produce tears and saliva, it can also damage other parts of the body such as joints, thyroid gland, kidneys, liver, lungs and nerves. Sjögren’s syndrome was first described in 1933 by Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren. There are two types of Sjögren’s syndrome: primary Sjögren’s syndrome and secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. No other autoimmune disease is observed in primary Sjögren’s syndrome. In secondary Sjögren’s syndrome, the patient has another accompanying autoimmune disease. Sjögren’s syndrome can be seen in all age groups. It is more common in women than in men. The probability of occurrence increases especially in post-menopausal women and women over the age of 40. It is estimated that there are 3-4 million patients with Sjögren’s syndrome in our country.

What are the symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome?

Sjögren’s syndrome can affect the entire body. Common symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome

some of them are:

• Dry mouth,
• Dry eyes,
• Vaginal dryness,
• Skin dryness,
• Difficulty in swallowing,
• Kidney and lung inflammation,
• Tiredness,
• Skin redness, rash,
• Muscle weakness,
• Constipation,
• Joint pain,
• Tooth and gum diseases,
• Burning and stinging sensation in the eyes,
• Swelling in the salivary glands,
• Resistant dry cough.

Sjögren’s Syndrome Treatment

Although the exact cause of Sjögren’s syndrome is not yet known, it causes difficulties in treatment, but today there are many treatment options that relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life. The treatment applied varies depending on the area affected by Sjögren’s syndrome. Although many patients overcome this syndrome by drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer, some patients may require medication. Medicines that increase saliva and tear secretion can be used especially in Sjögren’s syndrome, where dry mouth and eye symptoms are common. In patients with severe symptoms, the use of drugs that suppress the body defense system may be required. Since Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disease, it increases the risk of developing lymph node cancer. Patients with Sjögren’s syndrome are recommended to have cancer screenings at regular intervals.

How Should Sjögren’s Syndrome Patients Eat?

In addition to the treatment prescribed for Sjögren’s syndrome, patients can be provided with a higher quality of life through changes in nutrition. There is no strict Sjögren’s syndrome diet. But how food is cooked can also affect dry mouth symptoms. Here are some nutrition tips:

• Soften your meals with broth.
• Boil or steam fish, red meat and white meat.
• Consume soup.
• Take care to consume water or healthy drinks between meals to make swallowing easier.

What Causes Sjögren’s Syndrome?

The cause of Sjögren’s syndrome is not fully known. Studies have shown that the disease may be caused by some damaged genes. Defective genes can disrupt the working principle of lymphocytes that sustain the immune system. For this reason, the body perceives itself as a foreign substance and goes into defense against itself. The fact that the disease is more common in women than in men may be due to the estrogen hormone women have. This suggests that in addition to defective genes, hormones such as estrogen may also cause the disease. Sjögren’s syndrome may also be caused by the presence of other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome.

What are the Sjögren’s Diagnostic Criteria?

Sjögren’s syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms vary from person to person. There is no definitive diagnostic test for diagnosing Sjögren’s syndrome. The diagnosis of people with symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome can be made by anamnesis and physical examination. When deemed necessary, the physician may request some tests to make a diagnosis.

• Blood test: With blood tests, antibody levels, inflammation detection, and signs of problems in the liver or kidneys can be observed.
• Sialogram: Using X-rays, the presence of a blocked salivary gland or duct in the mouth can be detected.
• Lip Biopsy: Lip biopsy is used to detect the presence of inflammation caused by Sjögren’s syndrome. Local anesthesia is applied to the patient and a small piece of the inner part of the lip is taken and examined under a microscope.
• Schirmer Test: Schirmer test is an examination performed to diagnose dry eye. The test can be applied to both eyes or one eye. First, numbing drops are instilled into the eye. Then a special strip of paper is placed under the lower eyelid. The eye is kept closed for 5-10 minutes. The strip under each eyelid is carefully taken and the amount of moisture on the paper is measured.

What Should Sjögren’s Patients Pay Attention to?

Dry eyes, mouth, skin and vaginal dryness are the most prominent symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome. There are some precautions patients should take to reduce these symptoms. To prevent dry eyes,

• Don’t strain your eyes. Avoid reading books, magazines, watching television, or looking at a phone or computer screen for long periods of time.
• Take care of eye hygiene. Do not rub your eyes.
• Protect your eyes by wearing a hat and glasses in windy weather.
• Do not neglect your regular eye examination.

To prevent dry mouth,

• Do not neglect oral hygiene, brush your teeth at least twice a day and use mouthwash.
• Consume plenty of water.
• Do not consume excessive alcohol.
• Avoid drinks containing caffeine, which causes water retention.
• Tooth decay increases dry mouth. Therefore, protect your oral health by getting regular dental examinations.
• Quit smoking.

To prevent skin dryness,

• Do not use soaps or cleansers that disrupt the skin’s pH balance.
• Use moisturizer regularly.

To prevent vaginal dryness,

• Use special creams or gels that keep the vagina moist.

Sjögren’s syndrome is a disease that can be controlled without causing serious consequences thanks to early diagnosis and treatment. Consult a physician as soon as you show symptoms and suspect the disease.