Sjogren's Syndrome Defined
Sjogren's Syndrome is an autoimmune disorder that prevents the glands in your mouth and eyes from producing moisture. According to the National Institutes of Health, 90 percent of Sjogren's Syndrome sufferers are women. There is no cure for Sjogrnen's Syndrome, and treatment focuses on treating the symptoms instead of the causes.
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Time Frame
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Sjogren's Syndrome is very common in women over the age of 40. Sjogren's Syndrome is rarely diagnosed in people younger than 30.
Effects
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Sjogren's Syndrome causes dryness in the mouth and eyes. It also causes vaginal dryness and difficulty swallowing food.
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Identification
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Physicians identify Sjogren's Syndrome by running a blood test, an eye test and a biopsy to locate any abnormalities. They also identify a patient's symptoms to rule out other diseases that also cause dryness.
Prevention/Solution
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Sjogren's Syndrome is not preventable, because scientists do not know what causes it. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking drugs that promote saliva production to ease symptoms.
Considerations
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Several commonalities associated with Sjogren's Syndrome include having another autoimmune disease, such as Lupus, and a family history of it.
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