Sjögren’s: More Than Dry Eyes and Dry Mouth
Sjögren’s is best known for dry eyes and dry mouth, but it is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect many parts of the body.
Symptoms vary greatly. Some people have mainly dryness, while others experience significant fatigue, pain, nerve problems, or involvement of other organs.
Dry Eyes
The eyes may feel gritty, burning, itchy, or unusually tired. Some people describe the sensation as having sand in their eyes.
Dryness can also cause blurred vision or sensitivity to light, and severe dryness can damage the surface of the eye if it is not treated.
Dry Mouth
Reduced saliva can make it difficult to chew or swallow dry foods, speak for long periods, or sleep comfortably.
Because saliva helps protect the teeth and mouth, people with Sjögren’s may develop more cavities, mouth infections, and other dental problems.
Some people also develop swelling of the salivary glands near the jaw and ears.
Fatigue, Pain, and Brain Fog
Fatigue can be one of the most troublesome symptoms and may be far more severe than ordinary tiredness.
Joint stiffness and pain are also common, and some people experience muscle pain or weakness.
Sjögren’s can also be associated with brain fog, including difficulty concentrating, remembering things, or thinking clearly.
Nerve Problems
Sjögren’s can affect the nervous system. Symptoms may include numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness, or unusual sensitivity in the hands and feet.
Some people develop problems involving the autonomic nervous system, which helps regulate functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and sweating.
Nerve symptoms can sometimes appear before the more familiar symptoms of Sjögren’s, making the underlying cause difficult to recognize.
Other Parts of the Body
Sjögren’s can also cause dry skin, a persistent dry cough, vaginal dryness, digestive problems, rashes, and sleep problems.
Less commonly, the disease can affect organs such as the lungs, kidneys, liver, blood vessels, or nervous system.
Most people will not experience all of these problems. The wide range of possible symptoms is one reason Sjögren’s can look very different from one person to another—and why it can sometimes take years to recognize.
Sjögren’s and Lymphoma
People with Sjögren’s have a higher risk of developing lymphoma than people without the disease, although most people with Sjögren’s will never develop it.
Persistent or enlarging swelling of a salivary gland or lymph node, unexplained weight loss, recurring fevers, or drenching night sweats should be discussed with a doctor.
Learn More
A useful overview of the many ways Sjögren’s can affect the body, including dryness, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, nerve problems, and other systemic symptoms.
A broad medical overview of Sjögren’s, including dryness, fatigue, joint and muscle pain, and possible effects on other parts of the body.
Explains how Sjögren’s can affect the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including neuropathy, brain fog, and other neurological symptoms.
Explains the increased lymphoma risk associated with Sjögren’s, symptoms to watch for, and why most people with Sjögren’s will never develop lymphoma.
Video
Dr. Kara Wada discusses neurological symptoms of Sjögren’s and why some can resemble symptoms seen in MS, POTS, and other conditions.