Sjogren's syndrome is a disease that affects your immune system and causes fluid-creating ducts to swell and close. The most common glands affected are saliva glands and tear ducts. To diagnose the disease, your doctor may use blood tests, eye scans, or take a biopsy of the skin to test for infection. Treatment may consist of a regimen of medication, and in some cases minor surgery may be needed to open tear ducts.
Eye Symptoms
Sjogren's syndrome can strike different parts of the body, and when it starts to occur in the eye it can create some uncomfortable symptoms. Sjogren's syndrome will cause tear ducts to swell, and this will either decrease or completely stop the creation of tears. Dry eyes can become irritated, and they can develop a gritty feeling as materials collect on the eye and are not washed away by tears. Dryness of the eye can cause scratches on the cornea of the eye, which is the clear covering of the eye, and it can also lead to eye infections that will cause the area around the eye to become red and swollen.
Salivary Glands
People suffering from Sjogren's syndrome may learn the importance of saliva to the health of the inside of the mouth. Sjogren's syndrome may cause the salivary glands to swell and stop them from producing saliva. The resulting effects can be a severe case of dry mouth, difficulty in being able to swallow, dry lips, and sores may form on the inside and outside of the mouth. The teeth may be affected and could experience severe tooth decay, which could lead to gum disease and infection. The person may find it difficult to speak.
Joint Stiffness
People suffering from Sjogren's syndrome may experience pain and stiffness in the joints. The joints may being to swell, and this pain would make walking difficult. The person may begin to experience muscle stiffness and pain.
Nervous System and Blood Flow
Another set of symptoms caused by Sjogren's syndrome has to do with the swelling that puts pressure on nerves, and closes off blood vessels so that blood cannot get to various parts of the body. The person may start to experience a tingling or burning sensation at any point in their body. If the condition is not treated then the tingling may turn to a numbness as the nerve continues to feel pressure. A lack of blood flow may cause the affected areas to feel cold, and it could also give the person an overall feeling of fatigue. Lack of proper blood flow to the brain could start to cause loss of memory, and the person may start to become clumsy and unable to walk properly.
Nose Symptoms
The condition also can begin to affect the nose as well, causing the skin in and around the nose to dry up and become scaly. The person may notice that their sense of smell has changed, and they are unable to smell things.
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