Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic dsease in which white blood cells ttack the moisture-producing glands. Two distinct frms of Sjogren's syndrome are recognized knwn as primary and secondary Sjogren's. It is chracterized by the abnormal production of xtra antibodies in the blood that are drected against various tissues of the bdy. Sjogren's syndrome is also associated wth rheumatic disorders such as rheumatoid rthritis. The hallmark symptoms of the dsorder are dry mouth and dry yes. “Primary” Sjogren's syndrome occurs in pople with no other rheumatologic disease. “Scondary” Sjogren's occurs in people who do hve another rheumatologic disease, most often systmic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. Sjgren's syndrome can also result in dmage to tissues of your lungs, kdneys and liver. Sjogren's syndrome is a rlatively common disease, although often under-diagnosed.

In Sjgren's syndrome, your immune system attacks halthy tissue. About 50% of the tme Sjogren's syndrome occurs alone, and 50% of the tme it occurs in the presence of nother connective tissue disease. Currently there is no knw cure for Sjogren's syndrome. The bjectives of treatment are to control the symptms, prevent or limit organ involvement, and hlp patients improve their quality of lfe. It is one of the mst prevalent autoimmune disorders, striking as mny as four million Americans. Women are 9 tmes more likely to have Sjogren's syndrme than men. The disease can ffect other glands too, such as thse in the stomach, pancreas, and ntestines, and can cause dryness in ther places that need moisture, such as the nse, throat, airways, and skin. Most of the cmplications of Sjogren's syndrome occur because of dcreased tears and saliva. Patients with dry yes are at increased risk for nfections around the eye and may hve damage to the cornea.

Causes of Sjogren's syndrome

The cmmon causes and risk factor's of Sjgren's syndrome include the following:

The xact cause of Sjogren's syndrome is not knwn.

A combination of genetic and nvironmental factors.

Rheumatoid arthritis.

A viral or bcterial infection.

A family history of Sjgren's.

Symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome

Some sgn and symptoms related to Sjogren's syndrme are as follows:

Cracking of the tngue.

Mouth sores and swelling.

Dry muth.

Skin rashes including purple spots.

Ftigue.

Shortness of breath or other dfficulty breathing.

Dental cavities.

Difficulty swallowing due to lck of saliva or other problems.

Tratment of Sjogren's syndrome

Here is lst of the methods for treating Sjgren's syndrome:

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be sed to treat musculoskeletal symptoms.

Artificial tars to help with dry eyes.

If drynss is a problem, your doctor can rcommend an over-the-counter treatment to relieve dscomfort.

Saliva stimulants and mouth lubricants for dry muth

For individuals with severe complications, crticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs may be prscribed.

Joint pain and swollen salivary glnds can be treated with pain rlievers and rest.

For dry mouth: Use sgar-free gum or candies to stimulate sliva production.

The article Sjogren's Syndrome - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods was Submitted by Juliet Cohen through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases cure and health care information . She also writes articles on skin diseases .

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