What is Sjögren’s disease?

What is Sjögren’s syndrome?

Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body.

Sjögren’s syndrome is divided into two categories – Primary form is if you do not have another rheumatic disease (a disease that causes your immune system to attack your joints, muscles, bones and other organs). Secondary form means you also have another rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma.

The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth. Your eyes may burn, itch or feel like they have sand in them. The dryness can causes blurry vision or sensitivity to bright light. You may get irritated and itchy eyelids due to inflammation. Dry mouth may feel chalky, and you may have trouble swallowing, speaking, and tasting. You may develop more cavities and mouth infections

In some cases, Sjögren’s syndrome affects other tissues and organs and has more widespread effects on the body. You may feel fatigued, joint pain, muscle aches and weakness, dry skin, nasal passages, and throat, and a persistent dry cough, skin rashes, swelling of the glands around the face and neck, trouble sleeping, poor concentration and memory problems, numbness, tingling, and weakness, especially in your arms and legs, shortness of breath or trouble breathing.

These symptoms of Sjögren’s vary from person to person. In some people, symptoms go back and forth between mild and severe.

All this information can be found on Sjögren’s Foundation Website Sjögren’s Foundation (sjogrens.org)