Skin rash. Numbness and pain due to neuropathy. Cough and shortness of breath due to lung disease. Irregular heartbeat.
In 9–20% of cases, Sjögren's syndrome is associated with various respiratory symptoms. The most typical manifestations are chronic interstitial lung disease (ILD) and tracheobronchial disease. The most common manifestation of ILD is nonspecific interstitial pneumonia in its fibrosing variant.
When it does, it can result from damage to the lung tissue, as a reaction to low oxygen levels, or blood-vessel abnormalities in the lungs. Common signs of Sjögren's-related PH include cough, shortness of breath, leg swelling, chest pains and fainting.
Respiratory problems are common and can be serious in patients who have a connective tissue or autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. With an autoimmune disease, a person's own immune system attacks the lungs, causing inflammation and scarring that can impair lung function and breathing.
Pneumonia (lung inflammation) may also cause shortness of breath and a cough. It's usually caused by an infection, so you'll need to take antibiotics. If you have COPD, it's likely your breathlessness is a sign this condition has suddenly got worse.
Many conditions can cause chronic breathlessness including: Chronic lung diseases, including COPD, asthma, pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension. Heart disease or congestive heart failure. Obesity.
Dry eyes, corneal ulcerations and infections. Dry nose, recurrent sinusitis, nosebleeds. Dry mouth, mouth sores, dental decay, difficulty with chewing, speech, taste and dentures. Swollen, painful parotid/salivary glands.
Avoid foods that dry your mouth
You should also avoid spices and acidic foods such as citrus, as these can irritate a dry, sore mouth. You should also avoid sugary foods that can contribute to rapid tooth decay, which is already increased by lower saliva production in Sjogren's syndrome.
Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and the progression is often unpredictable. Women are most commonly affected by Sjogren's syndrome. There is no cure, but it can be managed effectively. In rare cases, organs such as the liver and kidneys may be involved, which can increase the severity of the condition.
Cardiovascular disease includes a variety of conditions such as heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), among others. While people with Sjogren's may be at risk for any of these, the analysis found that heart failure in particular is a major concern.
These and previous studies suggest a model for pSS that separates the disease into several stages: 1) initial injury to the submandibular and lacrimal glands via an environmental insult and LTα; 2) amplification of local injury via the production of type 1 IFN; injury to the parotid glands, lungs, and kidneys is seen; ...
A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort analysis of Sjögren's did show an increase in heart disease, even after adjusting for age, sex, co-morbid conditions: and medications (Wu 2018). The risk of heart disease increased by 4% per year over the 12 years examined.
tests (PFTs) may be considered to evaluate for the presence of underlying pulmonary manifestations. PFTs should include pre- and post-bronchodilator spirometry, lung volumes, and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). Abnormalities identified may require further corroboration with advanced testing.
Patients with Sjogren's disease have destruction of the mucus secreting cells in the bronchi. This manifestation of the disease leads to the common complaint of persistent dry cough that is seen in many of these patients.
The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, but other parts of the body may be affected as well, with many people reporting fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. Sjögren's syndrome predominantly affects women.
Studies indicate that Sjogren's patients experience more physical fatigue than mental fatigue. These patients also report intense daytime sleepiness, an indicator of physical exhaustion. Some who suffer may experience severe symptoms, while others have mild symptoms.
Global cognitive impairment in Sjögren's
Most patients experience “brain fog” symptoms, which manifest as memory lapses, forgetfulness, mental confusion, and difficulties in concentrating, organizing, or anticipating future events.
While many patients experience dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain, Sjögren's can also cause dysfunction of organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system.
The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.
Shortness of breath is often a symptom of heart and lung problems. But it can also be a sign of other conditions like asthma, allergies or anxiety. Intense exercise or having a cold can also make you feel breathless.
Shortness of breath does not always indicate that you are hypoxic. In other words, your level of dyspnea, or air hunger, does not always correlate with your oxygen saturation. This means that you can be short of breath, even extremely short of breath, even in the presence of normal oxygen saturation.
People can experience shortness of breath while walking for a number of reasons. Sometimes, this occurs as a result of conditions such as anxiety, asthma, or obesity. Less commonly, shortness of breath signals a more serious underlying medical condition.