Sjögren's Syndrome Symptoms (2024)

Most Common Sjögren’s Syndrome Symptoms

When a person has Sjögren’s syndrome, their immune system is attacking the glands that keep the eyes, mouth and other body parts moist. The severity of the disease can vary widely, but the most common symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth.

  • Dry eyes. Due to decreased tear production, your eyes may feel extremely dry. They may also itch or burn, leading to excessive blinking. It may feel like grains of sand are lodged in your eyes. Or they may be red or watery, and you may have blurred vision or be sensitive to bright or fluorescent lights.
  • Dry mouth. Because your body can’t produce saliva readily, it might be difficult to swallow or speak, or to taste food. Your mouth may feel chalky or cottonlike, you might wake up at night and need a drink because of the dryness, or you may find yourself drinking more during the day to help swallow food.

Because Sjögren’s syndrome primarily involves the eyes and mouth, you may have cavities and infections of the mouth such as oral thrush (a yeast infection) and vision problems including corneal ulcers.

Sjögren’s syndrome can often be difficult to diagnose, as these symptoms are very general and can indicate a range of conditions.

More Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptoms

The disease can affect parts of the body other than the eyes and mouth. You may experience dryness in your nose or throat or on your skin. Sjögren’s syndrome can also affect the joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive organs and nerves, causing symptoms such as:

  • Swollen glands, specifically behind the jaw and in front of the ears
  • Joint pain, swelling or stiffness
  • Prolonged dry skin
  • Skin rashes
  • Chronic dry cough
  • vagin*l dryness
  • Problems urinating, including pain, urinating more than usual, getting up at night often to urinate and needing to urinate suddenly
  • Numbness or tingling in your fingers and toes
  • Prolonged fatigue and/or a feeling of tiredness that keeps you from daily activities

If You Think You May Have Sjögren’s Syndrome

If these symptoms sound like ones you’re experiencing, you could have Sjögren’s syndrome. It’s important to share this information with your general practitioner, eye doctor or dentist. 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.

Your doctor will discuss your symptoms in greater detail and determine if you should see a specialist, such as a rheumatologist, for a diagnosis.

Sjögren's Syndrome Symptoms (2024)

FAQs

Sjögren's Syndrome Symptoms? ›

Scientists don't know exactly what causes Sjögren's syndrome, but their research suggests it's an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system.

What is the main cause of Sjögren's syndrome? ›

Scientists don't know exactly what causes Sjögren's syndrome, but their research suggests it's an abnormal reaction of the body's immune system.

What are the three 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.

What happens if Sjögren's is left untreated? ›

Sjögren's syndrome can sometimes lead to complications. For example, your eyesight could be permanently damaged if the reduced tear production isn't treated. Sjögren's syndrome also increases your risk of developing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which is a cancer of the lymph glands.

What is the average age for Sjogren's syndrome? ›

Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women.

What organ fails with Sjögren's? ›

While many patients experience dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain, Sjögren's can also cause dysfunction of organs such as the kidneys, gastrointestinal system, blood vessels, lungs, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system.

What are the worst symptoms of Sjögren's? ›

In addition to dryness, Sjögren's syndrome can cause other symptoms, including:
  • Joint pain.
  • Muscle pain or weakness.
  • Swollen lymph nodes.
  • Fatigue (feeling tired all the time).
  • Trouble swallowing (dysphagia) or talking.
  • Brain fog (trouble thinking or focusing).
  • Loss of taste.
  • Tooth decay (cavities) or loss.
Oct 2, 2023

Do you lose weight with Sjögren's? ›

In summary, the symptoms related to Sjögren's can affect the diet, and consequently overall health and wellbeing. Dietary changes can improve symptoms, and associated quality of life. Adapting to Sjögren's often means limited dietary choices, however, this can lead to malnutrition and weight loss.

Does Sjögren's cause weight gain? ›

Other problems. Other conditions that have been linked to Sjögren's syndrome include: Raynaud's phenomenon – restricted blood flow to the hands and feet, which can cause them to feel cold, numb and painful. an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism) – which can cause tiredness and weight gain.

What does Sjögren's skin look like? ›

Dry skin that cracks and itches is common with Sjögren's. 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.

What is the best treatment for Sjögren's syndrome? ›

Medications for Sjogren's Syndrome
  • Artificial Tears. Your doctor may recommend artificial tears to ease the discomfort of dry eye syndrome. ...
  • Anti-Inflammatory Eye Drops. ...
  • Cholinergic Agonists. ...
  • Pain Relief Medication. ...
  • Immunosuppressive Medications. ...
  • Corticosteroids. ...
  • Antifungal Treatments. ...
  • vagin*l Lubricants.

Can Sjögren's affect your legs? ›

Sjögren's 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.

What does a Sjögren's tongue look like? ›

Most patients in both groups had a red tongue with a yellow coating or red tongue with thin coating; some had fissures as well (Figs. C and D). A minority of patients had a purple tongue (Fig.

How do you stop Sjögren's from progressing? ›

Lifestyle and home remedies
  1. Don't smoke. Smoking can irritate and dry out your mouth.
  2. Increase your fluid intake. Take sips of fluids, particularly water, throughout the day. ...
  3. Stimulate saliva flow. Sugarless gum or citrus-flavored hard candies can boost saliva flow. ...
  4. Try artificial saliva. ...
  5. Use nasal saline spray.
Aug 2, 2022

How long can you have Sjögren's without knowing? ›

Because of the vagueness of its symptoms and its similarity to other conditions, it can take as long as eight years for a patient with Sjögren's to receive a correct diagnosis, according to experts and to materials provided by the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation.

Does Sjögren's get progressively worse? ›

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.

How fast does Sjögren'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 irritates Sjogren's syndrome? ›

Alcohol can be extremely drying, making it one of the worst foods for Sjogren's syndrome. Consuming alcohol can lead to dehydration, making symptoms of dry mouth, eyes, and skin even worse. It's best to limit or avoid alcohol altogether, especially beer and wine, which can be particularly irritating to the mouth.

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