Dry skin that cracks and itches is common with Sjögren's syndrome. The lips are also frequently affected. In some people, Sjögren's is associated with skin rashes. These first appear most often as areas of dark blotches on the legs and feet that grow together.
In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased tears and saliva.
Skin signs
Dry, rough skin (xerosis), in 50% of patients. Reduced sweating (hypohidrosis) Vaginal dryness. Small vessel vasculitis (in up to 30% of patients with SS, usually affecting the legs)
The neurological complications of Sjögren's syndrome are extensive and range from cognitive difficulties, to burning toes and feet.
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.
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.
If Sjögren's syndrome isn't treated appropriately, significant, long-term complications could result that affect your eyes, mouth, lungs, kidneys, liver or lymph nodes — complications including blindness, significant dental destruction and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Other possible symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome can include: dry, itchy skin. severe tiredness and exhaustion. vaginal dryness in women, which can make sex painful.
In response to the sun, Sjögren's patients can experience skin rashes, ocular sensitivity, pain, and disease flares.
Results: SS-related dry eye is a progressive condition with major negative impact on the quality-of-life of afflicted patients, not only due to symptoms of ocular discomfort but also visual dysfunction. In addition, SS can lead to corneal melt/perforation, uveitis, scleritis, retinal vasculitis, and optic neuritis.
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.
Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the body's own immune system attacks the glands that produce tears and saliva. Foods that help are omega-3 fatty acids, organic meat, whole fruits and vegetables. Bad foods include trans fat, high glycemic, red meat, dairy, and artificial sweeteners.
Sjögren's (pronounced "show grins") syndrome is a chronic (or lifelong) condition that causes dry mouth and dry eyes. The syndrome also can affect any of the body's glands, including those that secrete sweat, saliva and oil.
But those with primary Sjögren syndrome had a higher prevalence of hearing loss than those with RA. Specifically, RA hearing loss was present in 36.8 percent of patients with frequencies between 500–3,000 Hz, while in this range the hearing loss affected 60 percent of the Sjögren syndrome patients.
The patients with Sjogren's had an overall lower quality of sleep [8]. All of the studies in the systematic review noted that there is an increased number of nighttime awakenings in Sjogren's patients.
Sjogren's Syndrome
According to Dr. Cram, the signature white spots of thrush may appear. Or, your tongue may become red and smooth if the little hairs disappear. Some people with Sjögren's syndrome also have a burning sensation and cracking of the tongue.
The large intestine is where liquid is reabsorbed. Constipation and diarrhea can occur with Sjögren's. Increase vegetables.
A blood test can detect specific antibodies—immune system proteins that normally bind to harmful substances—that may signal autoimmune diseases. The antibodies associated with Sjogren's include anti-Ro (SS-A) and anti-La (SS-B) antibodies, rheumatoid factor, and antinuclear antibodies.
Sjögren's syndrome can also cause swollen or painful joints, muscle pain or weakness, dry skin, rashes, brain fog (poor concentration or memory), numbness and tingling sensations in the arms and legs due to nerve involvement, heartburn, kidney problems and swollen lymph nodes.
Dry skin that cracks and itches is common with Sjögren's syndrome. The lips are also frequently affected. In some people, Sjögren's is associated with skin rashes. These first appear most often as areas of dark blotches on the legs and feet that grow together.
If you have Sjogren's syndrome, you are also more likely to have a condition called painful bladder syndrome, or interstitial cystitis. This condition causes signs and symptoms similar to those of a urinary tract infection — urinary frequency, urgency and pain — without evidence of infection.