Sjogren’s Syndrome

Summary

Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disease. This means that your immune system attacks parts of your own body by mistake. In Sjogren’s syndrome, it attacks the glands that make tears and saliva. This causes a dry mouth and dry eyes. You may have dryness in other places that need moisture, such as your nose, throat, and skin. Sjogren’s can also affect other parts of the body, including your joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive organs, and nerves.

Most people with Sjogren’s syndrome are women. It usually starts after age 40. It is sometimes linked to other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

To make a diagnosis, doctors may use a medical history, physical exam, certain eye and mouth tests, blood tests, and biopsies.

Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms. It can differ for each person; it depends on what parts of the body are affected. It may include artificial tears for dye eyes and sucking on sugar-free candy or drinking water often for a dry mouth. Medicines may help with severe symptoms.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin
Diseases

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• 5 Common Questions About Dry Mouth
• Carrie Ann Inaba Doesn’t Let Sjögren’s Syndrome Stand In Her Way
• Sjögren’s Research Explores Genetic Link to Dry Mouth, Other Saliva Issues
• Sjögren’s Syndrome: What You Need to Know
• Thriving with Sjögren’s Syndrome

Diagnosis and Tests

• ANA (Antinuclear Antibody) Test National Library of Medicine
• Rheumatoid Factor (RF) Test National Library of Medicine

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Sjogren’s Syndrome National Institutes of Health

Specifics

• Dry Eye National Eye Institute
• Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Dry Mouth: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Dry Skin Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
• What Is Dry Eye? American Academy of Ophthalmology

Living With

• Fatigue Fighters in Sjogren’s Syndrome Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
• Tips for Chronic Pain Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
• Tips on Sleep for Sjogren’s Patients Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation

Find an Expert

• Find a Rheumatologist American College of Rheumatology
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation

Journal Articles

• Sjogren’s Syndrome

Patient Handouts

• Rheumatoid factor (RF) Medical Encyclopedia
• Sjogren syndrome Medical Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia

• Salivary gland biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
• Schirmer test Medical Encyclopedia
• Thyroid peroxidase antibody Medical Encyclopedia

Treatments and Therapies

• Simple Solutions for Dry Eye Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation

Start Here

• Sjogren’s Disease National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
• Sjogren’s Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Sjögren’s Syndrome American College of Rheumatology
• What Is Sjögren’s Syndrome? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Genetics

• Sjögren syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Related Issues

• Sun and Sjogren’s Syndrome Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
• Surgery, Hospitals, and Medications Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
• Tips for Airline Travelers with Sjogren’s Syndrome Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation
• What You Need to Know about Sjogren’s Syndrome Lupus Foundation of America