American College of Rheumatology
This organization, representing rheumatologists and other rheumatology professionals, offers information on Sjögren’s syndrome and numerous other autoimmune disorders.
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Our partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine means you receive access to the most up-to-date tools for managing this condition
Sjögren’s syndrome, an inflammatory condition, causes a decrease in your body’s ability to produce saliva and tears. Although no cure exists for Sjögren’s syndrome, physicians at IU Health provide highly individualized treatment to control your symptoms, prevent complications and help you maintain a high quality of life.
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, meaning your body attacks its own tissues—in this case, moisture-producing glands. Sjögren’s syndrome typically—but not exclusively—occurs in midlife, most often between ages 45 and 55. About nine in 10 people with Sjögren’s syndrome are women.
Physicians classify Sjögren’s syndrome into two equally common types:
Scientists do not know what causes Sjögren’s syndrome, but they suspect it emerges from a combination of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger, such as a virus.
With Sjögren’s syndrome, dryness of your mouth can lead to tooth decay, changes in your ability to taste food, and trouble talking and swallowing. Dryness of your eyes can cause blurred vision and, over time, damage your cornea. Other common symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome include:
In some, Sjögren’s syndrome can cause inflammation of the liver, kidney or lungs. The disorder also increases your risk of developing lymphoma, although the vast majority of people with Sjögren’s syndrome do not get lymphoma.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome can help you avoid dental and other complications. However, symptoms develop gradually and can look like those of numerous other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia. As a result, patients often do not receive an accurate diagnosis of this disorder until several years after they begin experiencing problems.
Highly skilled IU Health rheumatologists can identify Sjögren’s syndrome based on a combination of physical examination, medical history and testing, sometimes including gland biopsy, tear-production assessment and bloodwork.
Sjögren’s syndrome is an autoimmune disorder, meaning your body attacks its own tissues—in this case, moisture-producing glands. Sjögren’s syndrome typically—but not exclusively—occurs in midlife, most often between ages 45 and 55. About nine in 10 people with Sjögren’s syndrome are women.
Physicians classify Sjögren’s syndrome into two equally common types:
Scientists do not know what causes Sjögren’s syndrome, but they suspect it emerges from a combination of genetic susceptibility and an environmental trigger, such as a virus.
With Sjögren’s syndrome, dryness of your mouth can lead to tooth decay, changes in your ability to taste food, and trouble talking and swallowing. Dryness of your eyes can cause blurred vision and, over time, damage your cornea. Other common symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome include:
In some, Sjögren’s syndrome can cause inflammation of the liver, kidney or lungs. The disorder also increases your risk of developing lymphoma, although the vast majority of people with Sjögren’s syndrome do not get lymphoma.
Early diagnosis and treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome can help you avoid dental and other complications. However, symptoms develop gradually and can look like those of numerous other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and fibromyalgia. As a result, patients often do not receive an accurate diagnosis of this disorder until several years after they begin experiencing problems.
Highly skilled IU Health rheumatologists can identify Sjögren’s syndrome based on a combination of physical examination, medical history and testing, sometimes including gland biopsy, tear-production assessment and bloodwork.
Physicians at IU Health also take advantage of their comprehensive referral network to connect you with ophthalmologists and other specialists for management of specific problems. With appropriate management of the condition, you can generally continue with your typical activities and enjoy a normal lifespan.
Your physicians’ partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine means they have access to the most up-to-date tools for identifying and managing Sjögren’s syndrome. Through this affiliation, they help train the physicians of tomorrow and carry out research to better understand, diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome.
IU Health physicians offer several types of treatment for Sjögren’s syndrome. Options include:
Physicians at IU Health also take advantage of their comprehensive referral network to connect you with ophthalmologists and other specialists for management of specific problems. With appropriate management of the condition, you can generally continue with your typical activities and enjoy a normal lifespan.
Your physicians’ partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine means they have access to the most up-to-date tools for identifying and managing Sjögren’s syndrome. Through this affiliation, they help train the physicians of tomorrow and carry out research to better understand, diagnose and treat rheumatic diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome.
IU Health physicians offer several types of treatment for Sjögren’s syndrome. Options include:
This organization, representing rheumatologists and other rheumatology professionals, offers information on Sjögren’s syndrome and numerous other autoimmune disorders.
This U.S. government agency offers an informative guide to Sjögren’s syndrome.
This nonprofit group focuses on Sjögren’s syndrome-related research and education.
This organization, representing rheumatologists and other rheumatology professionals, offers information on Sjögren’s syndrome and numerous other autoimmune disorders.
This U.S. government agency offers an informative guide to Sjögren’s syndrome.
This nonprofit group focuses on Sjögren’s syndrome-related research and education.