Sjogren’s disease

What is Sjogren’s disease?

Sjogren’s is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system causes inflammation and damage of the glands. This results in symptoms such as dry eyes, dry mouth and dry skin. Often, people have symptoms for many years before they are diagnosed. Rarely, Sjogren’s can affect the organs and cause damage.

Sjogren’s disease occurs when the B cells, which are part of the immune system, become too active. Because of this, there is an increased risk for lymphoma with Sjogren’s disease.

About Sjogren’s Disease:

Click to access Final_WhatisSjogrens-Brochure-DoubleGate-15.438×9-OCT2021.pdf

How do you treat dry eyes?

Oftentimes, when the symptoms occur, the damage has been done. There are some strategies to help manage the symptoms

• Avoid caffeine,
• Avoid smoking
• Avoid hot, dry and windy environments
  • E.g., limit computer time, turn off ceiling fans, consider using humidifiers
• Increase fluid intake
• Consider increasing omega-3, either by the diet (eating fish) or taking a supplement
• Use preserved artificial tears
  • E.g., Systane, Hylo, Cellufresh, Refresh, TheraTears, Soothe, etc.
• If you are using eye drops more than 4 times daily, use preservative-free artificial tears
• If you continue to have dry eyes, your ophthalmologist can consider starting cyclosporine (Restasis) eye drops. This helps reduce inflammation in the eye.

Treatment of Dry Eyes:

Click to access Sjogrens-DryEye.pdf

How do you treat dry mouth?

Reduced saliva increases the risk of cavities and fungal infections, such as thrush. It is important to practice excellent oral hygiene and to see a dentist on a regular basis.

• Avoid coffee and alcohol
• Avoid sugars, potato chips, and carbonated beverages
• Quit smoking
• Brush your teeth at least twice a day
• Floss daily
• Use fluorinated toothpaste 1.1%
• Drink omega-3 fatty acids, olive oil or flaxseed oil in water
• Use plain toothpaste (no additives)
• Use sugar free candies to help stimulate saliva (xylitol)
• Xylimelts between your check and gum to stimulate saliva can be helpful for nighttime symptoms
• For people with very dry mouth, we can use a medication called pilocarpine. This can help stimulate saliva, but there is a risk for other side effects, including sweating and diarrhea.