{"id":1714,"date":"2018-05-09T09:20:52","date_gmt":"2018-05-09T09:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=1714"},"modified":"2021-10-04T15:49:39","modified_gmt":"2021-10-04T15:49:39","slug":"13-sjogrens-syndrome-symptoms-felt-throughout-the-entire-body","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/13-sjogrens-syndrome-symptoms-felt-throughout-the-entire-body\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Sjogren’s Syndrome Symptoms Felt Throughout the Entire Body"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Have you ever heard of Sjogren\u2019s syndrome? Most people will say no \u2013 and yet it\u2019s suspected to be a very common condition that can affect as much as four million people in America alone; that leads us to assume that worldwide statistics are even more and that the number could be even higher if more people were to realize that they suffered from Sjogren\u2019s. Some of the more common symptoms can include dry eyes and dry mouth, but that\u2019s not all Sjogren\u2019s effects in the body. If you\u2019ve ever experienced any of these symptoms on this list, it could be time to visit your doctor and take this list along \u2013 the symptoms you have been experiencing might very well be due to Sjogren\u2019s.<\/p>\n

1. What is Sjogren’s<\/h3>\n

First off, let\u2019s talk about just what Sjogren\u2019s syndrome<\/a> is: It is most commonly described as being an autoimmune disorder whereby the body attacks primarily the glands that produce the body\u2019s \u201cmoisture\u201d \u2013 which is what leads to the most common symptoms people experience when they think they might have Sjogren\u2019s: The dry eyes and mouth that we\u2019ve already talked about here \u2013 and will go on to describe in a little more detail later on in this article.<\/p>\n

Sjogren\u2019s affects your immune system first, and it might go hand in hand with some other autoimmune disorders like arthritis, vasculitis, and other connective tissue disorders. There are many people who have Sjogren\u2019s and have no idea that they do \u2013 if you fit some of these symptoms then you should visit your doctor as soon as you can with this list so that you can be treated and have a better quality of life.<\/p>\n

\"\"2. Dry Eyes<\/h3>\n

One of the first potential symptoms that you might be suffering from Sjogren\u2019s is a perpetually dry mouth and dry eyes; we\u2019ve already described some of the basics about just what Sjogren\u2019s is and what it does to the body \u2013 but you should know that one of the first things that Sjogren\u2019s affects is the salivary glands.<\/p>\n

That is the system that produces saliva in the body if you haven\u2019t guessed it by the name, and this naturally connected to the glands that produce the moisture in the eyes \u2013 so dry eyes that you can\u2019t find another cause for (such as allergies<\/a>) is one of the first signs that you should consider the possibility of having Sjogren\u2019s. There isn\u2019t much that you can do about this symptom, though doctors usually advise you to get moisturizing eye drops and to keep them with you wherever you go if this symptom starts to nag at you.<\/p>\n

\"\"3. Dry Mouth<\/h3>\n

Have you been experiencing more and more regular occurrences of having a dry mouth \u2013 and no matter what you do you can\u2019t seem to find any relief for your condition? This is one of the other primary signs that you might be suffering from Sjogren\u2019s syndrome and that you should make an appointment with your doctor immediately.<\/p>\n

Especially if you can combine it with several symptoms on this list then you should have the syndrome diagnosed by your doctor \u2013 once that has been done then you should be able to find some relief for the symptoms; if undiagnosed, you can eventually develop other conditions that go hand in hand with Sjogren\u2019s syndrome and can have the potential to have a highly detrimental effect on your health in the long run. If you have a constantly dry mouth, your doctor might advise keeping medicated throat lozenges<\/a> on you at all times \u2013 and, of course, to keep hydrating when your glands can no longer do the job.<\/p>\n

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4. Dry Lips<\/h3>\n

Sjogren\u2019s Syndrome is a disease that primarily affects the body\u2019s salivary glands and system \u2013 so the first and most certain sign that you have Sjogren\u2019s is the constant feeling of a dry mouth and eyes: And the moisture content of your eyes and mouth is one of the ways that doctors test for the syndrome in the first place.<\/p>\n

If you suspect that you might be suffering from Sjogren\u2019s, take this list along to your doctor and tell them which of the symptoms you are experiencing so far; you might be surprised to find that your doctor can finally point you in the direction of some very well needed relief for your condition. Along with a dry mouth, you can also expect dry lips and a dry throat as part of the condition: For this, your best bet is to keep some kind of lip moisturizer<\/a> on you at all times to find some relief for the symptoms.\"\"<\/p>\n

5. Problems Swallowing<\/h3>\n

If you have Sjogren\u2019s syndrome, then we have already mentioned that some of the symptoms that you will have to get used to including having a dry mouth and dry eyes \u2013 because Sjogren\u2019s is an autoimmune disorder which primarily affects the salivary glands of the body and stops your body from producing the moisture that your body needs naturally. You might develop problems swallowing because of the fact that you can no longer moisturize the inside of your mouth and throat like your body normally would \u2013 and you need to do so through external means.<\/p>\n

Your doctor will most likely recommend that you keep some form of hydration<\/a> on you at all times when the symptoms hit, as difficulty swallowing because of the syndrome can very easily turn into being a choking hazard. If you have a constantly dry mouth and throat, you will also be more prone to develop a sore throat \u2013 and you won\u2019t have to have the flu to develop that as a symptom either.<\/p>\n

\"\"6. Dryness of Other Areas<\/h3>\n

Sjogren\u2019s syndrome primarily affects the mouth, throat, and eyes \u2013 it interrupts the process whereby the body is able to keep these body parts hydrated<\/a> by itself, and this is experienced by the body as a perpetual dryness in some areas of the body. But did you think of the fact that the mouth, throat, and eyes are not the only part of the body that<\/p>\n

Sjogren\u2019s syndrome can affect? If you are suffering from Sjogren\u2019s syndrome, then the dryness you are experiencing in your mouth and eyes might also be experienced in other parts of the body \u2013 more commonly if you are female, you can expect to experience vaginal dryness as part of Sjogren\u2019s syndrome. Again, your doctor will most likely recommend that you replace the moisture that\u2019s meant to be there by other means \u2013 using sexual lubricant when you need it will likely be the easiest option for many.\"\"<\/p>\n

7. Dry Nose<\/h3>\n

Suspect that you or someone you know might be suffering from Sjogren\u2019s syndrome? You could share the condition with millions of people worldwide \u2013 and have absolutely no idea that you have it. Many people think that they are just experiencing their dry eyes, nose, mouth, and throat because of another symptom \u2013 very often because they think it\u2019s because of allergies \u2013 but if these symptoms continue and affect you even outside of allergy season, then you should consider the fact that your symptoms might be due to Sjogren\u2019s instead.<\/p>\n

Another unpleasant symptom that tends to go along with Sjogren\u2019s is developing a dry nose \u2013 which is one symptom people commonly mistake for having allergies. If you need to find some relief from the dry nose associated with Sjogren\u2019s, then we would recommend that you ask your doctor for a nose spray that is able to help with hydrating your nose \u2013 many over the counter decongestants<\/a> do this job well. <\/p>\n

\"\"8. Problems with Food Digestion<\/h3>\n

Did you know that digestion is a process that doesn\u2019t start in the stomach like most people would think that it does, but that digestion<\/a> is instead to start in the mouth already? Let\u2019s define digestion first \u2013 digestion is the process whereby your body breaks down food. So the moment that you start chewing, your teeth are breaking your food down \u2013 and you might have guessed by now that saliva is able to aid in this process.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have any naturally produced saliva, like would be the case if you are suffering from Sjogren\u2019s, then the way your food digests will also be naturally affected \u2013 if you can\u2019t digest properly, you can expect to have some further issues with your digestive system, including frequent constipation or stomach upsets more often than you should. This is a commonly forgotten symptom of Sjogren\u2019s, and one that you should watch out for even if you suspect that it\u2019s not Sjogren\u2019s that\u2019s causing it.\"\"<\/p>\n

9. Pain in Joints<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve already said that Sjogren\u2019s is primarily an autoimmune disease \u2013 but what does that mean? Autoimmune diseases refer to the fact that your immune system<\/a>, which keeps your body safe from illness and disease, is being attacked by itself. This leads to developing a lot of other health problems that go hand in hand with autoimmune disorders, some of which that you would never think could possibly be caused by an autoimmune disorder that\u2019s known for primarily affecting the body\u2019s salivary glands.<\/p>\n

Do you have pain in your joints that you can\u2019t explain and can you combine it with some of the symptoms that we\u2019ve already mentioned in the rest of this article? Then it is very likely that you might have Sjogren\u2019s syndrome: Experiencing pain in your joints and arthritis, in the long run, are both symptoms that you can expect to see with Sjogren\u2019s \u2013 and it\u2019s one of the symptoms people don\u2019t think about often.<\/p>\n

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10. Getting Sicker Sooner<\/h3>\n

One of the most common signs of an autoimmune disorder is the fact that you tend to get sicker much sooner and easier than anyone else you know: What is a simple trip to town for anyone else might turn into a nightmare for you because you get sick whenever you are exposed to other people who might have something as simple as the flu<\/a> \u2013 and the illness might hit you a little harder or last a little longer than it would with everyone else.<\/p>\n

If you are getting sicker sooner, then you might have to start thinking about the fact that it could be an autoimmune disorder such as Sjogren\u2019s \u2013 and you should know that it can also be paired with many other autoimmune diseases such as lupus at the same time. How can you know if you are suffering from one \u2013 or any more? Visit your doctor \u2013 and take this list of symptoms along.<\/p>\n

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11. Lung Disease<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s not just your mouth and eyes that are affected: Having read through most of this list already you should know that a range of symptoms affecting all parts of the body can go along with Sjogren\u2019s syndrome \u2013 and that you most likely should get it checked out by your doctor if you can combine several of the symptoms<\/a> on this list at the same time. One of the symptoms that are related to a long-term sufferer of Sjogren\u2019s is the higher risk of developing lung disease.<\/p>\n

Your lungs aren\u2019t naturally dry \u2013 and Sjogren\u2019s can also happen to affect the body\u2019s internal organs such as the lungs when it comes to moisture. If you have Sjogren\u2019s, then you are at an automatically higher risk of developing lung disease \u2013 especially if you happen to be a smoker, so if you have this bad habit and have been nodding while reading this list, then it\u2019s time to adapt or suffer the consequences of not listening to your health.<\/p>\n

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12. Risk of Lymphoma<\/h3>\n

We\u2019ve discussed most of the long-term symptoms of Sjogren\u2019s disease so far. Can you relate to any of the symptoms that we\u2019ve mentioned so far? Especially if you know that you already suffer from existing autoimmune disease, then you should seriously consider mentioning the possibility of Sjogren\u2019s syndrome to your doctor \u2013 doctors might have studied for years to be part of their profession, but they are still human and they don\u2019t know everything; so sometimes they still make mistakes and sometimes they still miss symptoms.<\/p>\n

So if you can spot something that helps your doctor when you make your next appointment, mention it: It\u2019s your health at stake here! One of the consequences of Sjogren\u2019s disease that people don\u2019t mention very often is the increased risk of lymphoma \u2013 lymph node<\/a> cancer, which you should get checked out by your doctor immediately. This is nothing to mess around with if you suspect that you might have developed the condition \u2013 due to Sjogren\u2019s or not.<\/p>\n

<\/h3>\n

\"\"13. Dental Decay<\/h3>\n

Okay, so we\u2019ve gone through most of the symptoms that you might experience if you have Sjogren\u2019s syndrome \u2013 and we hope that it inspires a few people to make appointments with their doctors and that they manage to find the peace of mind of finally having a name for what their conditions are called. From here, your doctor can make the best recommendations for how you should proceed forward.<\/p>\n

And you will find that most of these symptoms can be treated on their own \u2013 and the condition can be managed with some small adaptations and a little bit of thought; many of the symptoms can be dealt with on their own with some over the counter medication<\/a>, too. One of the symptoms that you should watch out for \u2013 due to the dry mouth \u2013 is a much higher risk of developing dental decay, especially if you\u2019ve been suffering from the condition for a long time.<\/p>\n\r\n

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