How serious is Sjogren's syndrome?

Sjogren's is a serious condition, but timely treatment can mean that complications are less likely to develop, and tissue damage is less likely to occur. Once treated, an individual can usually manage the condition well. Sjogren's can develop at any age, but most diagnoses occur after the age of 40 years.

Is Sjogren's syndrome life threatening?

In most people with Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary features of the disorder, and general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected.

Can you live a normal life with Sjogren's syndrome?

Although life expectancy is not typically affected, patients' quality of life is, and considerably. Secretory glands don't work, resulting in dryness in the eyes, mouth, throat, and other organs, along with complications such as pain, fatigue, and digestive problems.

Is sjogrens a progressive disease?

Sjögren syndrome (SS) is a common, slowly progressive autoimmune disease that exhibits a wide range of organ-specific and systemic manifestations.

How long can you live with Sjögren's syndrome?

The mean age of death was 72.1 years (SD = 12.3 years). Serologically, the presence of ANAs was the most frequent finding (75.7%) followed by anti-Ro/SSA antibodies and rheumatoid factor in just under 55%. Extraglandular manifestations were 3.4-fold more common than glandular manifestations (108 [71.1%] vs 31 [20.4%]).

Sjögren's Syndrome - Disease Overview | Johns Hopkins

How fast does Sjogren's progress?

The condition may progress slowly, so the typical symptoms of dry eyes and mouth may take years to show. However, rapid onset can also occur. Symptoms can be mild, moderate or severe, and the progression is often unpredictable.

What should I avoid with Sjogren's syndrome?

Individuals who experience severe xerostomia tend to avoid crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, dry or tough foods such as meats and breads, and sticky foods such as peanut butter. Xerostomia can also affect dental health.

What are the stages of Sjögren's syndrome?

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. The lymphoaggressive nature of the disease appears to lead SS patients from stage I to II and from stage II to III.

What triggers Sjogren's syndrome?

Causes. Share on Pinterest Sjogren's is caused by white blood cells mistakenly attacking moisture-producing glands. The causes of Sjogren's remain largely unknown. Studies have indicated that a viral or bacterial infection may trigger the disease, but that the underlying cause is primarily genetic and environmental.

Can Sjogren's go away?

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.

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.

Can stress make sjogrens worse?

Managing this condition

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.

What organs does Sjogren's affect?

Sjögren's syndrome can also affect other body organ systems. These organs include the skin, joints, muscles, blood, lung, heart, kidney, and nerves.

What is the mortality rate of Sjogren's syndrome?

The estimated 5 and 10 year survival after pSS diagnosis is 95% and 90%, respectively [5]. Population-based studies have shown conflicting evidence regarding relative mortality in pSS.

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.

What were your first symptoms of Sjogren's?

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.

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.

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)

Can Sjogren's turn into lupus?

Most often, the co-occurring autoimmune disease is rheumatoid arthritis. Other individuals with secondary Sjogren's may have lupus, scleroderma, primary biliary cirrhosis, or a different kind of autoimmune disease.

How do you know if Sjogren's is primary or secondary?

Primary Sjögren syndrome occurs in the absence of another underlying rheumatic disorder, whereas secondary Sjögren syndrome is associated with another underlying rheumatic disease, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or scleroderma.

What does Sjögren'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.

What foods make sjogrens worse?

Should you get the Covid vaccine if you have Sjogren's syndrome?

As a person with Sjögren's, should I receive a vaccination for COVID-19? Yes. We recommend that all people with Sjögren's should be vaccinated, with the exception of children under the age of 16 (since children were not included in the trials that led to the EUA for the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines).

Does Sjogren's cause blindness?

If You Think You May Have Sjögren's Syndrome

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.