Experiences with
Sjogren's syndromeSymptoms of Sjögren's syndrome
The symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome include:
- dry eyes
- a dry mouth
- dry skin
- tiredness
- vaginal dryness
- muscle or joint pain
- swelling between the jaw and ears (swollen salivary glands)
- rashes (especially after being in the sun)
Things you can do if you have Sjögren's syndrome
To help relieve the symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome:
- avoid dry, smoky or windy places
- avoid reading, watching TV or looking at screens for a long time
- make sure you maintain good oral hygiene
- do not smoke or drink alcohol
Treatments for Sjögren's syndrome
There's currently no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, but there are several treatments that can help, such as:
- eye drops that keep your eyes wet (artificial tears)
- sprays, lozenges (medicated sweets) and gels that keep your mouth wet (saliva substitutes)
- medicine that helps your body produce more tears and saliva
Causes of Sjögren's syndrome
Sjögren's syndrome is caused by the immune system (the body's defence against infection), damaging healthy parts of the body. This is known as an autoimmune condition.
The condition usually affects areas of the body that produce fluids, such as tears and saliva. But other parts of the body, such as nerves and joints, can also be affected.
It's not clear why the immune system stops working properly.
It may be linked to:
- genetics – some people may be born with genes that make them more likely to get an autoimmune condition
- hormones – the female hormone oestrogen may play a part, as the condition is much more common in women than men
Sometimes, people with Sjögren's syndrome also have other autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. This is known as secondary Sjögren's syndrome.
Primary Sjögren's syndrome is where you do not have any other related conditions.
SymptomsMedical treatmentsCausesTreatment for Sjögren's syndrome depends on your symptoms. For example, dry eyes may be treated with eye drops or tablets that help you produce tears.
Related links
HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence
