Complaints & connections · borters.ch
Dry eyes and dry mouth are the signboard — the greatest burden is tiredness and joints.
Also known as: sicca syndrome · dryness disease (autoimmune)
Open in the tool — with search and all the links →This compilation is for information and replaces neither medical diagnosis nor treatment. If you have symptoms, see a doctor.
In Sjögren’s syndrome the immune system turns against the glands that make fluid — above all the tear and salivary glands. Hence the two leading signs: dry eyes with a gritty feeling, burning and lids stuck shut in the morning, and a dry mouth in which dry bread barely goes down without a drink.
That, though, hides the size of the thing. For most affected people the greatest burden is not the dryness but a heavy tiredness and joint pain, often without swelling. Because dryness sounds harmless and tiredness is unspecific, years often pass before the diagnosis. Added to it: decay despite good brushing (saliva protects the teeth; without it they break down), swollen salivary glands in front of the ear, dryness also of nose, skin and vagina, hoarseness, swallowing trouble and hair loss.
There are two forms: on its own — or together with a second illness from the same group, usually rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. That is why dryness is asked about in a known autoimmune disease, and the other way round.
Among the values ANA together with SS-A and SS-B are the usual ones; they are absent in some of those affected, and then examination, tear measurement and where needed a small tissue sample of the lip salivary glands decide. Two points belong in the conversation: many medicines dry the mouth themselves — water tablets, allergy medicines, bladder medicines, antidepressants — so the list is looked through before dryness is ascribed to an illness. And: salivary glands swollen for weeks belong looked at, because the lymph tissue is under permanent demand in this illness.
Sjögren’s stands particularly often beside a second illness from the same group.
Close dental checks, fluoride, sugar-free chewing. Not a side issue here but the part with the greatest visible damage.
Dryness is the point where very many agents converge — the calculator shows which of them pull in the same direction.
Often first described as "tired eyes". Screen work and dry air worsen it but are not the cause.
A usable everyday test. Always needing a glass of water while eating describes exactly this.
For many the greatest burden — greater than the dryness. It is rarely connected with it.
Can remain the only joint sign for years.
Saliva protects the teeth. Without it decay appears despite careful care — often the dentist notices first.
The dryness does not stop at eyes and mouth; nose, skin and vagina belong to it.
Water tablets, allergy medicines, bladder medicines and antidepressants dry things out themselves. The list belongs looked through before dryness is ascribed to an illness.
The two typical antibodies. They are absent in some of those affected — a negative result rules nothing out.
Often positive in Sjögren’s even without rheumatoid arthritis — a good example that a value is not an illness.
Small amounts across the day keep the mouth moister than a lot at once. Sugar and acidic drinks harm doubly when saliva is missing.