Does a rheumatologist treat sjogrens?

Most people with Sjögren syndrome are treated by a rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis and other diseases of the joints, muscles and bones. However, other specialists may be consulted to help with your diagnosis and to manage complications of the disease.

What type of doctor can diagnose Sjogren's syndrome?

Rheumatologists have primary responsibility for diagnosing and managing Sjögren's and can conduct a series of tests and ask about symptoms. Your eye doctor or an oral medicine specialist also might run tests if Sjögren's is suspected.

How does a rheumatologist diagnose Sjogren's syndrome?

Blood and urine tests, to look for the presence of antibodies common in Sjögren's syndrome. The results of an ANA (antinuclear antibody) test will determine if you have an autoimmune disorder. Schirmer's test, to see if your tear glands are producing enough tears to keep your eyes moist.

What is the best treatment for Sjogren's syndrome?

Treat systemwide symptoms.

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug designed to treat malaria, is often helpful in treating Sjogren's syndrome. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate (Trexall), also might be prescribed.

Is sjogrens a form of rheumatoid arthritis?

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.

A Rheumatologist Explains: Sjogren's Syndrome

What triggers a Sjogren's flare?

Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome are highly likely to be triggered by environmental factors such as pollution, infections, certain medications, diet, and allergy-causing agents. Make a note of potential environmental triggers, and try to steer clear of them as much as possible.

What does Sjogren's pain feel like?

Your joints may be painful and swollen due to inflammation, or you might feel that various parts of your body, such as your muscles, are achy and tender. Some people with this condition have headaches and migraines.

What happens if Sjogren's is left untreated?

Sjogren's comes with serious complications if left untreated, including: an increased risk of lymphoma and multiple myeloma. oral yeast infections. dental cavities.

What blood test confirms Sjogren's syndrome?

Blood tests.

The anti-SSA (also called anti-Ro) or anti-SSB (also called anti-La) blood tests are the most specific ones for Sjögren's syndrome. Other autoantibody tests include antinuclear antibody (ANA) and rheumatoid factor (RF).

What medications to avoid when you have Sjogren's?

Avoid medicines that are known to cause dry eyes. These include antihistamines, diuretics, and some antidepressants. Talk with your doctor if you take any of these medicines. Sometimes the benefits of a medicine outweigh the risks.

Does Sjogren's always show up in blood test?

In Sjögren's syndrome, the immune system produces antibodies that attack healthy areas of the body. These can be found during a blood test. But not everyone with Sjögren's syndrome has these antibodies, so you may have the condition even if a blood test does not find them.

What is a positive result for Sjogren's?

Antinuclear Antibody (ANA): The ANA test is positive in the majority of Sjögren's syndrome patients. However, a positive ANA test is also common in healthy individuals. The ANA test is most commonly performed using a technique that involves immunofluorescent staining of human cells grown in tissue culture (Figure 3).

What other autoimmune diseases are associated with Sjogren's syndrome?

In secondary Sjogren's syndrome, which accounts for over 50% of the cases diagnosed, other autoimmune diseases are present, including rheumatoid arthritis (20-30%), systemic lupus erythematosus (15-35%), systemic sclerosis (10-25%), and psoriatic arthritis.

How does hydroxychloroquine help Sjogren's?

Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial, has been widely used to treat autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's. It works to modulate the immune system, which is overly active in these disorders, and also seems to reduce lipid levels and protect against blood clots and diabetes.

How does Sjogren's affect the digestive system?

Sjogren's can lead to gastroparesis or irritable bowel syndrome, which both cause abdominal pain. Gastroparesis is a condition in which the stomach cannot empty normally. Signs include nausea, vomiting, and weight loss. The symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome include bloating, constipation, and diarrhea.

Does Sjogren's affect the brain?

These symptoms can lead to irritation, soreness, and pain. “Brain fog” is a colloquial term for cognitive dysfunction, which refers to impairment in functions such as thinking, memory, and reasoning in a way that can affect daily activities. It is a common complaint among people with Sjogren's syndrome.

What vitamins should I take for Sjogren's?

Does Sjogren's cause nerve pain?

Sjögren patients can suffer from severe neuropathic pain, with small-fiber neuropathy causing lancinating or burning pain which can disproportionately affect the proximal torso or extremities, and the face (ie, in a "non-length-dependent distribution").

What does Sjogren's fatigue feel like?

Sjogren's Syndrome patients often complain of mental fatigue or “brain fog.” Brain fog impairs focus, causes fuzzy concentration, and contributes to difficulty in problem-solving.

Does having Sjogren's mean you are immunocompromised?

As a note – not all Sjögren's patients have compromised immune systems. This specific risk factor is for those who regularly take drugs to suppress the immune system.

What does a Sjogren's tongue look like?

a smooth, red tongue. a change in how food tastes. dry, sore and cracked skin at the corners of your lips. problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, mouth ulcers, and oral thrush (a fungal infection that can cause a raw, red or white tongue)

What can mimic Sjogren's?

Does Sjogren's qualify for disability?

While Sjögren's syndrome initially causes dry eyes and mouth, it can also progress to cause fatigue and wreak havoc on various organs of the body. Severe cases of Sjögren's may qualify Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI) disability benefits.

Does Sjogren's syndrome cause weight gain?

Sjögren's syndrome doesn't cause weight gain. However, medications (like steroids) used to treat symptoms may cause weight gain. Also, there are conditions like hypothyroidism that may be linked to Sjögren's syndrome that can result in unintended weight gain.

What does Sjogren's rash look like?

Sjogren's syndrome patients often develop a purple-to-red rash that does not lighten when pressure is applied. They may also show purpura (rashes with blood spots) that's indicative of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). If you observe any of these rashes on your skin, consult a dermatologist.