Sjogren’s syndrome

Sjogren’s syndrome ( SS)     pronounced as Show-grins

While SS is one of the most common auto-immune disorders, few people have heard of it & normally doctors rarely ask patients to test for it.

When SS strikes, the body’s immune system attacks its own secretory glands & tissues, causing the classical symptoms of dryness of eyes & mouth. Severe fatigue is another hallmark symptom.

While 9 out of 10 patients are women in the age group of 20-40, the delay in diagnosis averages 6-8 years due to its disparate symptoms.

The symptoms are subtle & non-specific in the beginning & a patient therefore visits a number of specialists like eye doctors, dentists, rheumatologists etc. A patient struggles through a myriad physical distresses like debilitating fatigue, respiratory problems, joint pains, dryness of mouth, skin rashes, dryness of mouth & eyes for many years before getting diagnosed.

Women may suffer from dyspareunia- painful intercourse, because of dry vagina. A small percentage of patients can even develop cancer of the lymph glands.

Patients should learn how to manage their problems once diagnosed, like when the mouth gets dry, then to take the medicines prescribed, which is in proportion to the dryness, also what foods should be avoided, like for some almonds, or cashew nuts. Some may need eye drops, when the eyes get too dry, so one should carry water & eye drops whenever they move out of their homes.

Only positive thing is over the years, some doctors are also getting aware of this disease & stopped telling patients that it is all in their heads.