Sjogren’s syndrome is a auto-immune disease that affects thousands of Canadians.

Sjogren’s syndrome is a auto-immune disease that attacks the body’s moisture producing glands. The dry eye are extremely uncomfortable and it affects activities such as reading and dry mouth could give trouble swallowing. Researchers have found that women are more likely to contract the disease more than men. Sjogren’s affects more than 400 000  Canadians. Sjogrens’ is one of the more uncomfortable disease to live with. It’s a systemic disease.

See the “Living with Sjogren’s syndrome” video from CTV

Major symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome:

1. The patient will feel difficulty in speaking and the sense of taste also decreases
2. The eyes get very itchy and start looking tired (dry eyes)
3. Gland located between the eyes and jaw line on each side of the face gets swollen
4. Vaginal dryness is a very common symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome.
5. Patient will suffer from oral infections and dental cavity problems.
6. Patient gets tired after doing a very simple physical activity.
7. Muscles and joints swell up and become stiff which makes difficult and painful to move the body.
8. Persons gets dry skin and rashes could develop.

But the main symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth.

Dry eye glasses  and sleep masks can be very helpful to alleviate Sjogren’s syndrome symptoms.