WHAT IS SJOGENS SYNDROME?

Question

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ALL THEIR IS TO KNOW ABOUT SJOGENS SYNDROME AND HOW DO YOU GET IT.

Answer 1

Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of the immune system often defined by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Yet Sjogren's syndrome is more than just a simple set of symptoms. It's a disease that often accompanies other autoimmune disorders — rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and others. These rheumatic diseases are marked by inflammation of your connective tissues, and it's common for people with Sjogren's syndrome to also have a connective tissue disorder.

In Sjogren's syndrome, your immune system attacks healthy tissue. The mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first, resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva. This can lead to problems from difficulty swallowing to dental cavities to light-sensitive eyes to corneal ulcers. Sjogren's syndrome can also result in damage to tissues of your lungs, kidneys and liver.

Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at diagnosis. The condition is nine times as likely to occur in women as in men. There's no cure for Sjogren's syndrome, but treatments can relieve many of the symptoms.

Signs and symptoms

Sjogren's syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms are similar to those caused by other diseases and can vary from person to person. In addition, the side effects of a number of medications can mimic some signs and symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome. Still, typical signs and symptoms of Sjogren's include:

    * Dry eyes

    * Dry mouth

    * Dental cavities

    * Fatigue

    * Fever

    * Enlarged parotid glands — one particular set of your salivary glands, located behind your jaw and in front of your ears

    * Difficulty swallowing or chewing

    * Change in sense of taste

    * Hoarseness

    * Oral yeast infections, such as candidiasis

    * Irritation and mild bleeding in your nose

    * Skin rashes or dry skin

    * Vaginal dryness

    * Dry cough that doesn't produce sputum

    * Joint pain, swelling and stiffness

Causes

Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. This means that your body attacks its own cells and tissues. It's unknown why this happens, but researchers believe that a combination of factors causes something to go wrong with your immune system. These factors may be related to heredity, hormones, a viral or bacterial infection, or your nervous system. In the case of Sjogren's syndrome, white blood cells called lymphocytes target, attack and damage your moisture-producing glands. They can also damage other organs, including your lungs, kidneys and liver.

Sjogren's syndrome that results from a rheumatic condition is classified as secondary Sjogren's syndrome. Primary Sjogren's syndrome occurs by itself.

Answer 2

http://www.sjogrens.org/syndrome/

I had to get tested for this years ago b.c. they found it in my blood. Basically its where your slivary glands and tear glands dont produce and liquid.. this link explains it better.

Answer 3

It is an autoimmune disease in which lymphocytes (white cells) attack healthy salivary glands.  It can be hereditary, viral, baterial, hormonal, etc. Third, if it is secondary Sjogren's it accompanies connective tissue & rheumatoid illnesses.

Main symptom are dry eyes & dry mouth.

I had dry eyes & my ophthalmologist puts plugs in my lower tear ducts to keep them open & so not dry.  It has worked great for me.  It took about 5 minutes in his office.

Google:  mayo clinic>>diseases>>Sjogren's Syndrome

for complete info.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

according to the article below .. it appears to be a autoimmune disease affecting mostly women (9 out of 10 patients)