Yes, most people with Sjögren's syndrome can live full, normal lives by actively managing symptoms like dryness, fatigue, and pain through lifestyle changes, medications, and regular medical care, although it's a chronic condition that requires ongoing attention to prevent complications like eye infections or dental decay. Key to a full life is a proactive approach, including diet, stress management, rest, exercise, and consistent follow-ups with rheumatologists and other specialists.
Sjögren's syndrome can sometimes lead to complications. For example, your eyesight could be permanently damaged if the reduced tear production isn't treated. Sjögren's syndrome also increases your risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph glands.
Currently there is no cure for Sjögren's syndrome. Researchers continue to explore ways to decrease the complications through studies that include finding better methods to gauge disease activity and severity and testing new medications.
A flare can last for hours, days, weeks, or months.
Sjögren's patients should avoid mouthwashes and rinses that contain alcohol or witch hazel. These ingredients can aggravate oral dryness and burning. Chew sugar-free gum or suck on hard diabetic or sugar-free candies to help increase saliva.
It has been reported that more than 400 drugs can exacerbate the dryness symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome, including antihypertensives, diuretics, antidepressants, antiparkinson drugs, antipsychotics, antihistamines, centrally acting analgesics, and anticholinergics [6], [13], [14], [15].
Start with five minutes of aerobic exercise daily (e.g. walking, biking, running, elliptical, treadmill) and increase the duration by an additional two-to-three minutes each month up to a maximum of 25 minutes daily.
Dry mouth.
Nipocalimab is the first and only investigational therapy granted U.S. FDA breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of adults living with moderate-to-severe Sjögren's disease [news release]. Johnson & Johnson. 2024 Nov 11. U.S. Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act ().
While there is no cure, Sjogren's syndrome can go into remission and symptoms can be inconsistent. Some who suffer may experience severe symptoms while others have mild symptoms.
There is no cure for Sjögren's disease, and treatment generally focuses on managing symptoms without the expectation of complete disease remission. Patients typically experience stable symptoms or, at most, a mild continued progression of glandular disease, the main feature of Sjögren, with lifelong symptoms.
Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a rheumatic disease that may include central nervous system (CNS) complications, including demyelinating diseases that can affect the brain and the spinal-cord.
Sjögren's disease is primarily treated by: Rheumatologists, doctors who treat diseases of the joints, muscles, and bones, and who are also specialists in autoimmune diseases.
Scientists aren't certain why some people develop Sjogren's syndrome. Certain genes put people at higher risk of the disorder, but it appears that a triggering mechanism — such as infection with a particular virus or strain of bacteria — is also necessary.
Several celebrities have continued their careers while raising awareness for Sjogren's syndrome, including tennis champion Venus Williams, Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba, musician Solange Knowles, and artist Halsey, who openly discuss their experiences with this condition, helping to reduce stigma and ...
Sjogren's is always systemic. Sjogren's should never be viewed as a nuisance sicca (dryness) disease. Both sicca and systemic (non-sicca) features may cause irreversible damage and disability. Some systemic manifestations and comorbidities can result in premature death.
Nipocalimab is the only investigational treatment to be granted Breakthrough Therapy Designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for SjD (November 2024). It also received Fast Track Designation by the U.S. FDA earlier this year in April 2025.
If scaly, dry skin is present, utilizing moisturizers with lactic acid, urea, or salicylic acid can be used. Examples include: AmLactin®, CeraVe® SA, and Eucerin® Roughness Relief.
Keep Your Eyes Moist
Regardless of the type of contacts you wear, avoid keeping them in your eyes for too long, and don't wear them overnight. You can talk to your ophthalmologist about when to take them out to avoid eye injury. Also, try alternating between contact lenses and glasses to prevent dryness.
People with Sjögren disease might be more likely to develop: hypothyroidism, when the thyroid gland is underactive. Raynaud's phenomenon, which causes the fingers to feel cold and turn blue. inflamed blood vessels, known as vasculitis, which can cause reduced blood flow.
SARS-CoV-2 may trigger the development or progression of autoimmune diseases, as evidenced by increased autoantibodies in patients and the presentation of cardinal symptoms of SjD.
Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops
For severe dry eye syndrome, your ophthalmologist may prescribe cyclosporine eye drops twice a day. Commonly known as Restasis®, these drops decrease inflammation in the lacrimal glands, which produce tears, and can be used long term.
The onset of symptoms was reported at a median age of 63 years and limb weakness was among the initial symptoms in most cases.
Turmeric may also help improve digestion, which is often affected in people with Sjogren's syndrome. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric can help reduce inflammation in the digestive system, leading to improved digestion and reduced symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome.
Statistically significant reductions of sweat volume were seen in SS (P < 0.005). Patients under 50 years old showed impaired sweat function compared with normal controls (P < 0.0005).