There currently is no cure for Sjorgren’s Syndrome.  Focuses of treatments for sjogren’s syndrome remain on easing symptoms related to the condition.  Most often the moisture glands of the eyes and mouth are affected first and even though symptoms can vary widely depending on the person nearly every sufferer of Sjorgren’s complains of dry eyes and mouth.

Sjorgren’s is an autoimmune disorder.  This means that the body’s own immune system begins to attack itself.  In this case the white blood cells attack various moisture producing glands throughout the body and can cause symptoms ranging from fatigue and memory loss to digestive problems and nerve pain.  Sjorgren’s is often a missed diagnosis and it can often take years to find the correct answer to these vague symptoms.  Most often diagnosis is made by a Rheumatologist—a doctor that specializes in disorders of the joints, muscle and bone.

While symptoms are bothersome, they are not fatal with proper sjogren’s syndrome treatment.  Patients may benefit from a variety of medications to treat symptoms.  Prescription eye drops may help with tear production and synthetic liquids for the mouth can help replace moisture that saliva normally would. Certain over the counter medications may also help with dry eyes and mouth. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless candy may help encourage saliva production. If the internal organs are involved your doctor may prescribe immunosuppressive medications and natural remedy for sjogren’s syndrome—meaning that they suppress the immune system to keep the white blood cells from attacking which may help reduce symptoms.

Treatment of Sjorgren’s should be a team effort. You should see your primary doctor along with your eye doctor and dentist frequently for exams to prevent complications related to the condition.

Nine out of ten patients with Sjorgren’s are women, and the majority of those are over the age of 40.  However Sjorgren’s does not discriminate and has been found to effect men and children as well.  Researchers are looking for links between genetics, hormones and other connective tissue diseases hoping to find a common factor that may contribute to Sjorgren’s.