Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and eyes. With the early diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren's syndrome, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life.
What is Sjögren's Syndrome?
With the help of the immune system (immune system), white blood cells (lymphocytes) It is a powerful and complex defense system that protects the body against diseases, pathogens, tumor cells and all kinds of foreign and harmful substances that enter the body. As a result of various reasons, sometimes the immune system may perceive the body's own tissues as a foreign substance. As a result, it begins to attack cells in different parts of the body. This causes damage to healthy tissues. Disorders resulting from destruction are called autoimmune diseases. Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease that particularly affects the salivary and lacrimal glands. Apart from the glands that produce tears and saliva, it can also damage other parts of the body such as the joints, thyroid gland, kidneys, liver, lungs and nerves. Sjögren's syndrome was first described in 1933 by the Swedish ophthalmologist Henrik Sjögren. There are two types of Sjögren's syndrome, primary Sjögren's syndrome and secondary Sjögren's syndrome. No other autoimmune disease is seen in primary Sjögren's syndrome. In secondary Sjögren's syndrome, the patient has another accompanying autoimmune disease. Sjögren's syndrome can be seen in all age groups. It is more common in women than men. It is especially common in postmenopausal women and women over the age of 40. It is estimated that there are 3-4 million patients with Sjögren's syndrome in our country.
What are the Symptoms of Sjögren's Syndrome?
Sjögren's syndrome can affect the whole body. Some of the common symptoms in Sjögren's syndrome are:
• Dry mouth,• Dry eyes,• Vaginal dryness,• Dry skin,• Difficulty in swallowing,• Kidney and lung inflammation,• Fatigue,• Skin redness, rash,• Muscle weakness, • Constipation, • Joint pain, • Tooth and gum diseases, • Burning and stinging sensation in the eyes, • Swelling in salivary glands, • Resistant dry cough.
Sjögren's Syndrome Treatment
Although the exact cause of Sjögren's syndrome is not known yet causes difficulties in treatment, today there are many treatment options that relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. The treatment applied differs according to the area affected by Sjögren's syndrome. Although many patients overcome this syndrome by drinking plenty of water and using a moisturizer, some patients may require medication. Especially in Sjögren's syndrome, where dry mouth and eye symptoms are common, drugs that increase saliva and tear secretion can be used. In patients with severe symptoms, the use of drugs that suppress the body defense system may be required. Since Sjogren's disease is an autoimmune disease, it increases the risk of developing lymph node cancer. It is recommended that patients with Sjögren's syndrome have cancer screenings at regular intervals.
How Should Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome Eat?
In addition to the prescribed treatment in Sjögren's syndrome, a higher quality of life can be provided to patients by changes in diet. There is no strict Sjogren's syndrome diet. But how food is cooked can also affect dry mouth symptoms. Here are some tips on nutrition:
- Soften your meals with broth.
- Boil or steam fish, meat and poultry.
- Consume soup.
- Take care to consume water or healthy drinks between meals to facilitate swallowing
What Causes Sjögren's Syndrome?
The cause of Sjögren's syndrome is not exactly known. as not known. Studies have shown that the disease may be caused by some damaged genes. Defective genes can disrupt the working principle of lymphocytes that sustain the immune system. For this reason, the body perceives itself as a foreign substance and starts a defense against itself. The fact that the disease is more common in women than in men may be due to the estrogen hormone that women have. This suggests that apart from defective genes, hormones such as estrogen may cause the disease. Sjögren's syndrome can also be caused by the presence of other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome.
What are Sjögren's Diagnostic Criteria?
Sjögren's syndrome Syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because symptoms vary from person to person. There is no definitive diagnostic test to diagnose Sjögren's syndrome. The diagnosis of people with symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome can be made by anamnesis and physical examination. If necessary, the physician may order some tests to make the diagnosis.
- Blood test: Blood tests with antibody levels, detection of inflammation, detection of liver or kidneys. Symptoms of problems can be observed.
- Sialogram: The presence of a clogged salivary gland or duct in the mouth can be detected using X-rays.
- Lip Biopsy: Lip biopsy, to detect the presence of inflammation caused by Sjögren's syndrome used. Local anesthesia is applied to the patient and a small piece is taken from the inner part of the lip and examined under the microscope.
- Schirmer Test: Schirmer test is an examination performed to diagnose dry eye. The test can be applied to both eyes or one eye. First, a drug drop is instilled into the eye. Then a strip of special paper is placed under the lower eyelid. The eye is kept closed for 5-10 minutes. The strip under each eyelid is carefully taken and the amount of moisture on the paper is measured.
What Should Sjögren's Patients Pay Attention to?
Eye, mouth, skin dryness and vaginal dryness is the most prominent symptom of Sjögren's syndrome. There are some precautions that patients should take to reduce these symptoms. To prevent dry eyes,
- Do not strain your eyes. Avoid reading books, magazines, watching television, looking at the phone or computer screen for a long time.
- Take care of eye hygiene. Do not rub your eyes.
- Protect your eyes by wearing a hat and glasses in windy weather.
- Do not neglect your regular eye examinations.
- Do not neglect oral hygiene, brush your teeth at least twice a day, use mouthwash.
- Consume plenty of water.
- Do not consume excessive alcohol.
- Avoid beverages containing caffeine.
- Tooth decay increases mouth dryness. Therefore, maintain oral health by having regular dental examinations.
- Quit smoking.
- Soap or cleanser that disrupts the Ph balance of the skin
- Use regular moisturizer.
- Use special creams or gels that keep the vagina moist.
Read: 53
