Arthritis and Sjogren’s Syndrome
By editor | December 29, 2007
This disease is often an unwelcome companion to rheumatoid arthritis or other rheumatic diseases, but it can also appear on its own. Ninety percent of people with Sjogren’s syndrome are women, and their average age is 50. Fortunately, it progresses slowly, and doesn’t fully develop for as long as 10 years after it starts. Sjogren’s is an autoimmune condition in which immune cells attack three glands in your body. Called exocrine glands, they normally produce saliva, sweat, and tears. With Sjogren’s, they go haywire and don’t work as they should, thus drying out your eyes, mouth, and other areas.
Symptoms. You may feel as if you have something like a grain of sand stuck in your eye, and your eyes may itch and burn. They also may be more sensitive to light. You may have mouth troubles, too: difficulty chewing and swallowing dry foods, small sores on your tongue or lips, and a burning sensation. Food may taste different than it used to. And, because you produce less saliva, which normally helps clean debris from your mouth, you’ll be more prone to cavities.
Diagnosis. Your doctor will suspect Sjogren’s syndrome because of your primary symptoms: dry eyes and mouth. She will do some detective work, such as checking your medications and asking you about over-the-counter products you may have been using, to find out if there’s another likely cause of your symptoms. She may then run a test called the Schirmer test to check how much tears and saliva you produced . Seven People with Sjogren’s will have rheumatoid factor, so she shall probably test for that and possibly other antibodies as well. Blood tests may also called leukocutes in the blood.
Treatment. The usual approach is to try to replace the fluids you are lacking primarily by using artificial tears for our dry eyes. To ease your dry mouth your doctor will recommend drinking plenty of water avoiding alcohol and possibly switching from medications that decrease saliva flow such as some high blood pressure drugs and certain antidepressants. You shall need more frequent dental checkups and will need to avoid the sugary foods that cause cavities. You may also need moisturizing cream for your skin.
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Tagged under:Arthritis artificial tears blood treatment burning sensation high blood pressure immune cells attack rheumatoid arthritis schirmer test
Topics: Arthritis |
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