Signs and Symptoms of Sjogren Syndrome
The two main symptoms of sjogren’s syndrome include:
1) Dry mouth – mouth feels like full with cotton along with difficulty to speak or swallow
2) Dry eyes – burning and itching in eyes and feeling like there’s sand in them
Patients suffering with Sjogren’s syndrome may also experience one or more of the following symptoms:
– Joint swelling, pain and stiffness
– Salivary glands swelling, especially in the ones located behind the jaw and in front of the ears
– Dry skin or skin rashes
– Vaginal dryness
– Prolonged fatigue
– Persistent dry cough
Causes of Sjogren’s Syndrome
Sjogren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks body’s own tissues and cells. The cells that are mostly targeted in this syndrome are mainly the moisture secreting glands of the eyes and mouth. However it can also damage other parts of the body including:
– joints
– kidneys
– liver
– thyroid glands
– lungs
– nerves
– skin
The exact cause or mechanism of the autoimmune syndrome is not known but it’s believed that there is some triggering mechanism like an infection with specific virus or bacteria.
Treatment of Sjorgen’s Syndrome
Management of Sjorgen’s syndrome includes two approaches, either treating the symptoms only or else trying to suppress the immune system so that the symptoms of the disease can be suppressed.
The systemic treatment includes antimalarial drugs that also suppress the immune system are used to treat the system wide symptoms of sjogren’s syndrome.
Symptomatic treatment includes measures to enhance the saliva and tears production to treat the dry eye and dry mouth conditions. This may help some patients however some may require surgery to seal the tear ducts.
PVR PROSE Treatment for Sjorgren’s Syndrome
Many patients with Sjogren’s syndrome benefit from PVR PROSE Treatment that helps them in restoring their vision and enhancing their quality of life. PVR PROSE (precision vision rehabilitation prosthetic replacement of the ocular surface ecosystem). PVR PROSE devices provide healthy environment for the surface of the eye along with an artificial tear layer between the lens and the cornea, thus resolving the symptoms of dry eye in patients. The material used in it is gas permeable so that the cornea gets healthy supply of oxygen regularly.