The bodys own immune system glands mistake its own moisture producing glands for foreign invaders. The immune system then attacks and destroys these glands causing dry eyes and dry mouth.

Like lupus, it can also damage vital organs of the body with symptoms that may plateau, worsen or go into remission. Some people may only experience the mild symptoms of dry eyes and mouth and some go through cycles of good health followed by severe disease.

Many are able to treat problems symptomatically. Others are forced to cope with blurred vision, constant eye discomfortm recurrent mouth infections, swollen parotid glands, hoarseness, and sifficulty in swallowing and eating. It can also cause skin, nose and vaginal dryness. It can also affect many organs of the body, including kidneys, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the brain. Fatigue and joint pain can seriously impair quality of life.

THE TWO TYPES OF SJOGRENS

PRIMARY SJOGRENS SYNDROME-When lacrimal (eyes) glands and parotid (mouth) and other salivary glands are infiltrated and disfunctional. This occurs without presnce of other autoimmune, connective tissue diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and so on.

SECONDARY SJOGRENS SYNDROME-When Sjogrens symptoms are present and accompanied by a disease affecting the body's connective tissue. Approximately 50% of people with sjogrens are described as having secondary.

SYMPTOMS

FATIGUE-One of the important symptoms is severe fatigue. It reduces the quality of life, but since the symptoms may occur inperiods, during long or short intrevals, live a life with reasonable quality. These periods are always followed by a period of fatigue.

DRY EYES-It is often explained as having grit in the eyes. The eyes feel tired, burn and hurt when blinking. The eyes easily turn red and smoke and windy conditions present problems. Even with otherwise project vision, longer periods of reading become tiring. Contact lenses should be avoided and makeup should be reduced in usage. From the tear glands pains and swelling may occur. The use of artificial tears is recommended.

DRY MOUTH, NOSE, and THROAT-As the salivary glands have reduced function, problems occur when swallowing food and cleaning the mouth after a meal, in spite of good hygiene. Often there is high frequency dental caries, funghi problems and has to visit the dentist often. The dentist is often the one who gives the first diagnosis. Then with a eye specialist and a sheumatologist the final diagnosis can be established.

It often leads to problems with the upper and lower airways and asthmatic symptoms are not rare. A typical patient has to drink lots of fluids to reduce the problems.

JOINT PAIN-Many patients experience periods of pain and sometimes swelling of the wrist and finger joints.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is often no an easy task. Since Sjogrens can mimic other diseases. Because symptoms may be reported to several specialist physicians, dentists or optometrists, the diagnosis is often missed.

Once it is suspected, blood tests for unusual proteins (auto-antibodies), tests to determine the degree of dry eye and mouth. Sometimes lip biopsies can indicate sjogrens.

Although most women are diagnosed in their post menpausal years, younger women can also have it. Children born to these women have a increased chance of having serious heart defects. Early diagnosis and intervention affect the course of the disease.

TREATMENT

There is no known cure. Moisture replacement therapies, including chewing gum can help the symptoms of dryness. Non-steriod anti-iflamatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used as pain killers. For individuals with severe complications more aggressive treatment may be necessary.