Other Names:
Dry Tear Ducts

Symptoms:
A variety of symptoms keyed to a lack of mucous-secreting glands to not function properly: dry or parched mouth, burning throat, trouble chewing or swallowing, gritty or sandy eyes, eyes which feel like they have a film over them.

Other symptoms include tooth decay, joint pain, digestive problems, dry nose, dry skin, lung problems, vaginal irritations, muscular weakness, kidney problems, burning tongue, and extreme fatigue.

Cause:
Sjogren's syndrome (pronounced SHOW-grens) is a chronic autoimmune disease which was first identified by a Swedish physician, Henrik Sjogren, in 1933.

As an autoimmune disorder, Sjogren's syndrome causes the body's immune system to work against itself, destroying mucous-secreting glands, including salivary and tear-producing tissues.

Although not life-threatening, Sjogren's is progressive, debilitating, and can permanently damage the eyes and mouth if symptoms are not treated.

When Sjogren's occurs alone it is considered "primary." When patients also have an additional connective disease, Sjogren's is called "secondary." These other diseases include rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, polymyositis (inflammation of the muscles), scleroderma (thickening and stiffening of the skin) or poyarteritis nodosa (inflammation of the arteries).

Anyone at any age can be afflicted with this disease. In the U.S., estimates run to 200,000 to 4 million; of which 90% are women.

Because each symptom affects different parts of the body, physicians and dentists often treat the symptom which applies to their field as minor and of little consequence.

Tests are available to diagnose the disease. The cause is, so far, unknown. And, to date, there are no known cures. The treatments, some of which are noted below, only help a person live with the condition, rather than solving it. Yet, if it can save your eyesight or an internal organ, it is worth it.

Treatment:
• For the eyes, add 1/4th tsp. of table salt (or its equivalent in seawater) to one cup of water, bring it to a boil, then let it set until it is tepid. Put some of this in the eyes every so often. Do not use store-bought salt, because it contains aluminum, which may damage the eyes. Take emulsified vitamin A, and use torula yeast. Black walnut husk tea may help.