What is Sjogren’s syndrome?
Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, results in your immune system’s attack on your tear glands and saliva glands. These glands are responsible for lubricating your eyes and mouth, so the condition results in excessively dry eyes and constant thirst. Like other similar autoimmune diseases, Sjogren’s syndrome can affect other parts of your body as it worsens.
Just as it affects the glands that produce saliva and tears, Sjogren’s syndrome can also affect mucous membranes. This is why you might experience dryness in other areas that typically need moisture to function correctly, like your sinuses.
What are the possible complications associated with Sjogren’s syndrome?
Dry eyes and a dry mouth, the two main symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome, might not seem like more than a minor inconvenience. However, long-term dryness in these regions can result in various adverse health effects.
As the disease progresses and affects other areas, it can cause complications unrelated to eye or mouth dryness. With personalized care, Dr. Sardinas helps you avoid:
- Tooth cavities
- Oral thrush (a yeast infection of the mouth)
- Vision decline
- Nerve damage
- Lymphoma
- Inflammation in your kidneys, lungs, or liver
If you already have complications from your disease, Dr. Sardinas can integrate medications and procedures for them into your custom treatment plan or refer you to specialists with extensive training in these specific areas.
How is Sjogren’s syndrome treated?
As a chronic autoimmune disease, there is currently no cure for Sjogren’s syndrome. Therefore, available treatments aim to reduce symptoms and help you avoid further health complications as a result.
In its mild stages, the only treatment you might need for Sjogren’s syndrome is over-the-counter eye drops for your eyes and staying hydrated. However, as the disease progresses and affects your body in different ways, Dr. Sardinas might recommend:
Prescription medications
Various prescription medications address the symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome differently. For example, medicines that increase saliva production or alleviate eye inflammation can give you lasting relief.
Surgery and procedures
In some cases, depending on which part of your body the disease affects, surgery may be necessary. For example, Dr. Sardinas might recommend placing plugs in your tear ducts to stop the tears from draining out of your eyes.
Home care and lifestyle changes
You can take care of your condition at home by avoiding smoking, brushing your teeth regularly, staying hydrated, and making other minor changes to your routine.
If your eyes or mouth are constantly dry, call Alfredo Sardinas Jr MD PA, or book an evaluation online for Sjogren’s syndrome today.
