ACTION STEPS for Sjogren's patients Always tell your rheumatologist if you are experiencing possible lung disease symptoms, even if they are mild. Examples include: chronic cough, wheezing, chest burning/ tightness, and shortness of breath, especially on exertion.
In Sjögren's syndrome with ILD, scarring of the lung tissue might develop. This scar tissue is known as pulmonary fibrosis and affects the tiny air sacs and blood vessels responsible for providing oxygen to all parts of the body.
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.
Interstitial lung disease (ILD) may cause life-threatening complications of primary Sjogren's syndrome (pSS), and has a poor prognosis in terms of survival and quality of life.
Avoiding foods that tend to exacerbate symptoms including alcohol, caffeine, acidic foods, and spicy foods.
The disorder can affect the nervous system, muscles, joints, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, liver, and pancreas. Sjögren's syndrome is a long-lasting disorder that affects females more often than men.
While Sjogren's patients overall experience higher than expected mortality, most can expect to live a normal lifespan.
The most common symptom of all ILDs is shortness of breath. This is often accompanied by a dry cough, chest discomfort, fatigue and occasionally weight loss. In most cases, by the time the symptoms appear lung damage has already been done so it is important to see your doctor immediately.
In some people with Sjögren's syndrome, a bout with the flu or a sinus infection can leave dried mucus that obstructs the upper airways, causing a dry cough and potentially leading to pneumonia.
The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.
Saliva substitutes such as moisturizers, lozenges, mouth rinses, and gels that contain xylitol, carboxymethylcellulose, or hydroxyethylcellulose are available without prescription and can help keep the mouth and throat moist.
Skin rash. Numbness and pain due to neuropathy. Cough and shortness of breath due to lung disease. Irregular heartbeat.
Patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS) frequently have irritable bowel like symptoms (IBS). Some have celiac sprue.
We divided SS patients into three stages: stage I is glandular SS, stage II is extraglandular SS, and stage III is extraglandular SS with lymphoid malignancy.
Falk: What kinds of factors can make Sjogren's worse? What is the effect, for example, of stress? Jonas: Well, like all autoimmune diseases, patients who feel stressed or are under unusual stress will often have exacerbation of their symptoms. Learning to manage that stress in your life is very important.
Symptoms are usually mild at first but get worse over months or years. You may have additional symptoms depending on the underlying cause of ILD.
More than half of the patients with ILD died due to acute exacerbations, and the median survival time from the time of diagnosis was 31 months (IQR: 6–61 months).
Overview. Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth. The condition often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
Association between Sjögren's syndrome and dementia
The overall pooled results showed that SS was associated with an increased risk of dementia (HR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.15–1.33, p < 0.001).
This condition is frequently associated with other autoimmune disorders including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Sjogren syndrome is managed by replacing moisture at affected glandular sites and diminishing the autoimmune response locally as well as systemically.