Sjögren’s: A Disease That Leaves You All Dried Up
Have you ever noticed how your body has its own built-in “moisture system”? Every time you blink, your eyes stay smooth. Every time you eat, saliva helps you chew and swallow comfortably. These small, everyday functions are easy to overlook, until they stop working the way they should.
This is the experience for many people living with Sjögren’s syndrome. Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune condition, which means the body’s immune system, which is normally responsible for protecting us, begins to mistakenly attack healthy parts of the body. In this case, it primarily targets the glands that produce moisture, such as the tear glands and salivary glands.
Imagine a sprinkler system that is designed to keep a garden healthy. Now imagine that system slowly shutting down. The soil becomes dry, plants begin to wilt, and the environment becomes harder to maintain. A similar process happens in the body when moisture-producing glands are affected.
As a result, the most common symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome are dry eyes and dry mouth. People may feel like there is sand or grit in their eyes, or they may have difficulty swallowing food because there is not enough saliva. Some may need to constantly sip water or use eye drops throughout the day.
But Sjögren’s syndrome can affect more than just moisture. Because it is an autoimmune condition, it can also impact other parts of the body. Some individuals experience fatigue, joint pain, dry skin, or swelling of the glands around the face and neck. In certain cases, organs such as the lungs, kidneys, or nerves can also be involved.
One of the challenges with Sjögren’s syndrome is that symptoms can develop gradually and may be mistaken for normal aging or other conditions. This can sometimes delay diagnosis.
There are two types of Sjögren’s syndrome. Primary Sjögren’s occurs on its own, while secondary Sjögren’s occurs alongside other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. There are actually many people living with Sjogren’s, including tennis star Venus Williams. Sjögren's syndrome is a common autoimmune disease, affecting an estimated 1 to 4 million adults in the United States. While historically considered rare, it is now recognized as one of the most common autoimmune rheumatic diseases, often affecting women 9 times more often than men, typically in middle age. 4 While there is currently no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may include artificial tears, medications to stimulate saliva production, and treatments that help regulate the immune system. Staying hydrated and protecting the eyes and mouth are also important parts of daily care.
Researchers continue working to better understand Sjögren’s syndrome and develop treatments that target the root cause of the disease, rather than just relieving symptoms. Clinical research plays a key role in this progress. At Prolato we have clinical trials that study and treat both primary and secondary Sjögren’s. Through ongoing studies, scientists are exploring new therapies that may help reduce immune system activity and improve gland function.
To learn more about Sjögren’s studies or to see if you may qualify for a clinical trial, contact our office today.
Citations
- Sjögren’s Foundation. What Is Sjögren’s? Sjögren’s Foundation, https://www.sjogrens.org/understanding-sjogrens/what-is-sjogrens National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Sjögren’s Syndrome. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sjogrens-syndrome Mayo Clinic Staff. Sjogren’s Syndrome. Mayo Clinic, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sjogrens-syndrome National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. “Sjögren’s Disease/Syndrome.” NCBI Bookshelf, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK584486/