What is Sjogren's Syndrome?

Sjogren's Syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which the white blood cells attack the moisture-producing glands. Nine out of ten patients are women and there are more than 4 millions people living with this in the United States.  Because SS mimics other diseases it can take an average of 7 years to be properly diagnosed.  Sjogren's can occur alone or with another autoimmune connective tissue disease illness such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Since being diagnosed I have discovered 3 people I know who also have this. And last summer Venus Williams made headlines when she backed out of Wimbledon due to her own diagnosis with Sjogren's Syndrome.

Sjogren's Syndrome is a systematic disease that affects the entire body.  According to the Jerome L. Greene Sjogren’s Syndrome Center at John Hopkins, "Sjogren's defining clinical features, dryness of the eyes and mouth, arise from an autoimmune process affecting the lacrimal and salivary glands.  Sjögren’s syndrome  is one of the most prevalent systemic rheumatic diseases.  The disease may affect the nervous system, lungs, and kidneys in addition to the exocrine glands. Chronic fatigue, joint pain, and neuropathic pain are significant sources of disability. Late complications may include blindness, dental destruction, oral candidiasis, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma."

The following illustration and list of symptoms was taken directly from the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation website.

Sjögren's is a systemic disease, and its symptoms are felt throughout the entire body. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include: a dry, gritty or burning sensation in the eyes dry mouth difficulty talking, chewing or swallowing a sore or cracked tongue dry or burning throat dry or peeling lips a change in taste or smell increased dental decay joint pain vaginal and skin dryness digestive problems dry nose fatigue

Sjögren's is a systemic disease, and its symptoms are felt throughout the entire body. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include: a dry, gritty or burning sensation in the eyes dry mouth difficulty talking, chewing or swallowing a sore or cracked tongue dry or burning throat dry or peeling lips a change in taste or smell increased dental decay joint pain vaginal and skin dryness digestive problems dry nose fatigue

Sjögren's is a systemic disease, and its symptoms are felt throughout the entire body. Symptoms vary from person to person but may include: a dry, gritty or burning sensation in the eyes dry mouth difficulty talking, chewing or swallowing a sore or cracked tongue dry or burning throat dry or peeling lips a change in taste or smell increased dental decay joint pain vaginal and skin dryness digestive problems dry nose fatigue