July 23, is World Sjögren’s Day – a moment to raise awareness about a condition that often goes unnoticed but affects many people worldwide. Let’s uncover what Sjögren’s syndrome is, how it impacts daily life and why early diagnosis and support matter. 

What is Sjögren’s Syndrome?

Sjögren’s syndrome (pronounced “SHOW-grens”) is an autoimmune disease, which means your immune system mistakenly attacks parts of your own body. In this case, it targets the glands that produce moisture. Glands are parts of the body that make and release things your body needs, like saliva, tears or hormones.

There are two types of Sjögren’s syndrome:

• Primary Sjögren’s happens on its own, not linked to any other health problem.
• Secondary Sjögren’s is triggered by another autoimmune condition, like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.

Medicine hasn’t identified the exact cause of Sjögren’s syndrome. However, studies show that many risk factors may contribute to the condition, including viral infections and having a family history of the syndrome. 

How does Sjögren’s syndrome impact your daily life? 

Main symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome includes dry eyes and dry mouth

• Dry eyes: Your eyes may burn, itch, feel gritty (like there’s sand in them) or become red. In severe cases, this can lead to inflammation of the cornea, vision problems and even blindness if left untreated.
• Dry mouth: When your body makes less saliva, your mouth can feel dry, sticky, or like it’s full of cotton. This can make it hard to swallow, talk or eat, and it can also lead to mouth infections, cavities and gum problems.

Other dryness-related symptoms: 

• Dry skin, dry nose (which may cause nosebleeds) and dry throat, often leading to frequent coughing
• Vaginal dryness in women, which may cause discomfort or pain
  Loss of taste or thickened saliva
• Frequent dental issues like cavities or tooth loss

Sjögren’s can also affect many other parts of the body:

• Joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Swollen salivary glands, especially near the jaw and ears
• Skin rashes
• Fatigue: often severe and persistent
• Swollen lymph nodes

These symptoms may vary from person to person. Over time, if left untreated, Sjögren’s syndrome can lead to more serious complications involving the lungs, kidneys, pancreas or nervous system. 

4 risk factors for Sjögren’s syndrome

Sjögren’s syndrome can affect anyone, but some people are more at risk than others:

• Women are much more likely to develop the condition, over 90% of cases are in women. Men can get it too, just not as often.
• People with other autoimmune diseases. About half of those with Sjögren’s also have another autoimmune condition.
• Middle-aged adults. It most commonly appears between ages 45 and 55, though younger or older people can also be affected.
• Those with a family history. Around 1 in 10 people with Sjögren’s have a close blood relative, like a parent or sibling who also has the condition.

Management and treatment for Sjögren’s Syndrome

There’s currently no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome but there are many ways to manage the symptoms and improve your daily comfort. 

For dryness in the eyes, mouth, or vagina:

• Artificial tears or eye drops: These treatments help keep your eyes from drying out. Your eye doctor may recommend over-the-counter eye drops, prescription medicines or a small procedure to block tear ducts so your natural tears stay longer.
• Dry mouth relief: To ease dryness and protect your teeth, doctors may recommend sipping water regularly, chewing sugar-free gum or using saliva-boosting medications. Some people also benefit from prescription mouthwashes or special fluoride treatments at the dentist.
  Vaginal dryness: You can use over-the-counter moisturizers or lubricants to ease dryness. If the dryness is caused by hormonal changes, your doctor may recommend hormone therapy, such as estrogen supplements.

For pain and inflammation:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers: Medications like NSAIDs or acetaminophen can reduce joint pain and swelling.
• Corticosteroids: If symptoms get worse, your provider might prescribe steroids to calm down inflammation.

Everyday tips to feel better:

• Stay hydrated by drinking water often, but try to limit coffee, alcohol or acidic drinks, which can dry you out.
• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air at home, especially in dry weather.
• Avoid sitting in front of fans or heaters that blow directly on your face.
• Try saline sprays to moisten your nose and airways.
• Don’t smoke and try to breathe through your nose rather than your mouth.

Sjögren’s syndrome can bring daily challenges but you don’t have to face them alone. At Lotus, your trusted NDIS provider Gold Coast, we offer workshops open to everyone, designed to bring more joy, comfort and support to your daily life. On this World Sjögren’s Day, let’s raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis and spread care to those who need it most.