Are your eyes and mouth always dry? It could be Sjogren's Syndrome!

Do you sometimes feel like your mouth is very dry, like a ball of cotton wool? Or do you constantly have a burning or itching sensation in your eyes, as if you have sand in your eyes? Although we think these are normal things, sometimes they can be symptoms of something else going on inside our bodies. Today we are talking about one such condition, Sjogren's Syndrome. Although this is a long-term condition, it is nothing to worry about. With proper treatment, you can live a normal, happy life.

Simply put, what is Sjogren's Syndrome?

This is very simple to understand. Our body has a defense system, we call it the immune system . It is the white blood cells that fight germs and viruses that enter our body and protect us from diseases. However, Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disease .

Simply put, our own defense system malfunctions and starts attacking our own healthy cells instead of foreign germs. Here, this attack mainly targets the glands that produce moisture in our body. That is, the glands that produce tears and the glands that produce saliva in the mouth . So when these glands are damaged, they cannot produce tears and saliva properly. As a result, the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body become dry.

Why does this happen? What are the risk factors?

Doctors still don't know exactly what causes this, but there are several factors that are thought to contribute to it.

• Genetic influence : Your genes may have a slight predisposition to developing this disease.
• Trigger: A bacterial or viral infection can act as a trigger for the onset of this disease.

Think of it this way. You have a genetic defect related to Sjogren's, and you get something like a viral fever. Then your immune system kicks in. But because of that genetic defect, the white blood cells start attacking not only the germs, but also the glands that make our saliva and tears. Because this battle continues, if you don't get treatment, the symptoms will continue.

In addition, there are several other risk factors:

• Age: It usually develops more in people over 40 years of age, but it can also develop in younger people and children.
• Gender: Women are 10 times more likely to develop this disease than men.
• Other autoimmune diseases: About half of people with Sjogren's also have another autoimmune disease, such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome?

These symptoms are not the same for everyone. Some people have one or two, while others may have many. Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.

Two types of Sjogren's Syndrome

Doctor, I can tell you about two types of this disease:

1. Primary Sjogren's syndrome: This means that you only have Sjogren's, without any other immune disease.

2. Secondary Sjogren's syndrome: This means that Sjogren's syndrome is accompanied by another immune system disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

How to diagnose the disease?

Because the symptoms of this disease are similar to other diseases (e.g., fibromyalgia) and often occur together with other immune diseases, diagnosis can sometimes be a bit complicated.

Your doctor will examine you and ask questions like:

• Do your eyes itch all the time? Do they burn?
• Do your teeth always decay?
• Are your mouth and lips dry?
• Do you have pain or stiffness in your joints?

Then, they will order several tests to confirm the diagnosis.

• Blood tests: These measure the levels of antibodies in your blood, as well as inflammation in your body. Many people with Sjogren's have specific types of antibodies in their blood.
• Eye and mouth tests:
• Schirmer test: To see how dry your eyes are, a small paper strip is placed under the lower eyelid and the amount of tears is measured.
• Slit lamp examination: The surface of the eye is examined with a magnifying device.
• Salivary gland biopsy: A very small piece of salivary gland is usually taken from the lower lip and examined.

How to treat and manage?

This disease cannot be completely cured, but there are many treatments that can help control the symptoms and live a healthy life.

Treatment for dry eyes

Your doctor may prescribe eye drops called `artificial tears`. You have to use them throughout the day. There are also thick gels to use at night. If these don't help, a medication like `(Restasis)` may be prescribed. Another treatment is `punctal occlusion`. Here, a small plug is placed in the tear ducts to block them. This allows the tears to stay on the eye longer and keep it moist.

Treatment for dry mouth

The doctor may recommend medications such as pilocarpine, which stimulates saliva production in the mouth. There are also artificial saliva sprays. The most important thing is to see a dentist regularly and take care of your dental health. Because when saliva decreases, the risk of tooth decay increases.

Treatment for other symptoms

Joint pain can be treated with painkillers or disease-controlling drugs such as hydroxychloroquine. Sometimes, if the internal organs of the body are affected, steroids such as prednisone or methotrexate may be prescribed for a short period of time. All of this is decided by your doctor.

Simple remedies you can do at home

Along with medical treatment, you can get great relief from simple things you can do at home.

• Dry mouth:
• Drink water little by little throughout the day.
• Chewing sugar-free gum or chewing a lozenge can increase saliva production.
• Avoid spicy, salty, sour, and dry foods (like biscuits).
• Brush your teeth twice a day. Do not use mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
• Completely avoid smoking and exposure to cigarette smoke.

• Dry eyes and skin:
• Avoid places with smoke, dust, and high winds.
• Take regular breaks when using the computer.
• Use a humidifier to maintain humidity in the house.
• Use lukewarm water instead of hot water when bathing.
• Apply a good moisturizer to your skin every day.

Sjogren's Syndrome, dry mouth, dry eyes, autoimmune diseases, joint pain, autoimmune disease