Dryness
What is Sjogren's syndrome?
Sjogren's syndrome, also called Sjogren's disease, is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disease. When you have an autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs by mistake. In Sjogren's syndrome, your immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body. This causes a dry mouth and dry eyes. You may have dryness in other places that need moisture, such as your nose, throat, and skin. Sjogren's can also affect other parts of the body, including your joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, digestive organs, and nerves.
What causes Sjogren's syndrome?Normally, your immune system protects the body from infection and disease. But with Sjogren's syndrome and other autoimmune diseases, your immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs. Researchers don't know for sure what causes the immune system to do this. But they think that it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Studies have linked Sjogren's syndrome to gene changes in several genes. Some researchers also think that the disease may be triggered by something in the environment. For example, they think that one possible trigger could be a previous infection with a virus or bacteria.
Who is more likely to develop Sjogren's syndrome?Most people with Sjogren's syndrome are women. You can get it at any age, but it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s.
Sjogren's syndrome is more common in people who have other autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. This is known as a secondary form of Sjogren's syndrome. People who don't have another autoimmune disease have a primary form of Sjogren's syndrome.
What are the symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome?Sjogren's syndrome may have different effects on the body. Not everyone will have the same symptoms. Some people have cycles of mild and then severe symptoms.
The two main symptoms are:
- Dry eyes. Your eyes may burn or itch or feel like they have sand in them. Sometimes your vision may be blurry, or you could be bothered by bright lights.
- Dry mouth. Your tongue and your throat may feel dry. You might have trouble swallowing, speaking, and tasting.
Sjogren's syndrome can also affect other parts of the body, causing symptoms such as:
- Joint and muscle pain
- Dry skin
- Rashes on the skin of hands or feet
- Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
- Vaginal dryness
- Dry cough that doesn't go away
- Fatigue that doesn't go away
There is no single test for Sjogren's syndrome. To find out if you have it, your provider:
- Will ask about your medical history and symptoms.
- Will do a physical exam, which includes checking for signs of dry mouth and signs of related autoimmune diseases.
- May order tests, including:
- Eye tests to see if you produce a normal amount of tears and to find out if your eyes have been damaged by dryness.
- Salivary gland tests to measure how much saliva your mouth produces. They could include imaging tests and a biopsy.
- Blood tests.
There is no cure for Sjogren's syndrome. Treatment focuses on relieving your symptoms. The treatments can be different for each person, depending on which parts of the body are affected. They may include:
- Eye drops (artificial tears) or ointments to relieve dryness in the eyes.
- Saliva substitutes.
- Prescription medicines that cause your salivary glands to make more saliva.
- A minor procedure that places small plugs the tear duct in the corners of the eyes. The plugs block your tears from draining so they stay in your eyes longer.
- Medicines to help with other symptoms caused by Sjogren's syndrome, such as medicines for pain and inflammation.
- Medicines that suppress (weaken) your immune system (for severe cases).
You can also try to relieve some of your symptoms by sucking on sugar-free candy, drinking water often, increasing the humidity in your room, and not smoking. Because having a dry mouth can raise your risk of cavities, it's important to take good care of your teeth and see your dentist regularly.
Dryness FDA Approved Drugs
- Treatment of moderate to severe vaginal dryness and pain with intercourse, symptoms of vulvar and vaginal atrophy, associated with menopause.
- Treatment of moderate to severe vasomotor symptoms associated with menopause.
Home Remedies for Dryness
Aroma therapy can be used to calm one's mood and provide relaxation. An essential oil diffuser adds moisture the your home or office environment while given your room a pleasant scent.
Mechanism - ultrasonic aroma essential oil diffuserGuydeMaupassant | July 15th, 2018
Felter's Materia Medica on Dryness
The (1) dried root and the (2) dried leaves and tops of Atropa Belladonna, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Europe and Central Asia; also... / ...purpose. This use of belladonna is less desirable, however, than other medication on account of the dryness of the throat and mouth, and the ocular disturbance it is likely to occasion. Ointment of be...1
The full grown fruit, gathered green, of Conium maculatum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Umbelliferae). Europe and Asia; naturalized in the United... / ...ed by conium, nor is the heart-muscle or nerves appreciably affected. Full doses of conium produce dryness of the throat and thirst, nausea, dizziness, sinking at the stomach, numbness, muscular rela... / ...be applied and be given to relieve pain even when a cure is not possible. It relieves the pain of swollen mammae during the menstrual periods a1
The herb Drosera rotundifolia, Linné (Nat. Ord. Droseraceae). A small plant of the fly-trap family found in boggy situations of Eastern North... / ...rosera. Dose, 1/10 to 10 drops. Specific Indications.Expulsive or explosive spasmodic cough, with dryness of the air passages; cough of measles; whooping cough; uncontrollable, irritating cough. The...1
Glycerin, Glycerol. A liquid composed most largely of a trihydric alcohol (C3H5(OH)3) obtained by the processes of hydrolysis and distillation of... / ...le, and to remove sordes and other viscous secretions. It also reduces the thirst occasioned by the dryness of the mouth. Glycerin may be used as a vehicle for lime water for application to small burn... / ...A 5 per cent solution of phenol in glycerin upon cotton may be used for insertion into the aural canal after rupture of the membrana tympani wh1
The resin of the wood of Guaiacum officinale, Linné, or of Guaiacum sanctum, Linné (Nat. Ord. Zygophyllaceae). West Indian trees. Dose, 5 to 30... / ... (Guaiac, 20 per cent, in Aromatic Spirit of Ammonia). Dose, 10 to 30 drops. Specific Indications.Dryness and stiffness of the throat with tumid, swollen tonsils, painful deglutition and dribbling o... / ...a fourfold dilution of specific medicine, mixed with syrup and water. Stronger preparations than this diluted tincture precipitate heavily.1
The leaves and flowering or fruiting tops of Hyoscyamus niger, Linné (Nat. Ord. Solanaceae). Europe; naturalized in waste places in the United... / ... duboisia are quite similar, differing chiefly in degree and less in quality. They produce the same dryness of the throat, flushing of the face, dilatation of the pupils, quickening of the respiratory... / ...conditions best. Hence its value in nervous headache, the headache of debility, the vague pains of so-called chronic rheumatism, idiopath1
The whole herb of Penthorum sedoides, Linné (Nat. Ord. Crassulaceae). A perennial herb in wet situations in the United States and Canada. Dose, 1... / ...Penthorum. Dose, 1 to 60 drops. Specific Indications.Chronic pharyngeal and nasal disorders, with dryness, fullness, and irritation and a purplish, congested appearance; catarrhal inflammations with... / ...and pharyngeal vault. It should be used locally while it is being administered internally; and quick results are not to be expected.1
The dried leaflets of (1) Pilocarpus Jaborandi, Holmes; or (2) Pilocarpus microphyllus, Stapf (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae). Brazil and Paraguay. Dose, 20... / ...by mouth); 1/24 to 1/8 grain (hypodermatically). Specific Indications.Deficient secretion; marked dryness and heat of skin and mucosa; muscular pain; muscular spasms; pain with puffiness of tissues;... / ...bronchial and lachrimal flow. The saliva contains an abundance of ptyalin and salts and readily converts starch into sugar. At times the mucous 1
The recent herb of Anemone Pulsatilla, Linné, and of Anemone pratensis, Linné, collected soon after flowering (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae).... / ...settled. The pulse requiring pulsatilla is weak, soft, and open, and the tissues have a tendency to dryness (except when the mucous tissues are discharging thick, bland material), and about the orbits...1
The dried, inner bark of Ulmus fulva, Michaux (Nat. Ord. Ulmaceae). Eastern half of the United States, in woods. Common Names: Slippery Elm, Elm,... / ...lm is a splendid demulcent for irritable and irritated or inflamed mucous membranes, and to relieve dryness of the tissues of the mouth and throat, and to alleviate cough. It is one of the best agents...1
The bark and berries of (1) Xanthoxylum americanum, Miller, and (2) Xanthoxylum Clava-Herculis, Lamarck (Nat. Ord. Rutaceae). Shrubs of North... / ...irculation; tympanites in bowel disorders; intestinal and gastric torpor, with deficient secretion; dryness of mouth and fauces, with glazed surface; flatulent colic; Asiatic cholera; uterine cramps a...1