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Dehydrated? Learn the Latest About Sjogren's Syndrome Carol Milano, Medical Writer

"All of a sudden, my eyes were very red and dry, and didn't tear normally. I always looked like I didn't sleep enough," recalls Amye Leong, president of Healthy Motivation, a consulting firm in Palo Alto, California. Over-the-counter products didn't help. Alert to any new symptoms because of years of suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, Leong sought medical attention.

Her ophthalmologist diagnosed Leong with Sjogren's syndrome in 1988.

Two to 4 million Americans (90% of them women) have this little-known autoimmune disorder, which affects the body's moisture-producing glands. Its classic symptoms are dry eyes and mouth. The disease can also cause dry skin, as well as dryness of the nose, vagina, kidneys, lungs, liver, and blood vessels. For many Sjogren's patients, debilitating fatigue or joint pain is the worst effect.

You can have primary or secondary Sjogren's. If you have primary Sjogren's, that's the only autoimmune disease you have. If you have secondary Sjogren's, you have another connective tissue disorder, like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Amye Leong has had rheumatoid arthritis for over 20 years. Alexis Stegemann, executive director of the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation (SSF), says primary and secondary sufferers are split roughly 50-50.

"Sjogren's is a very alienating experience," observes Stegemann. "By and large, patients look well. Even their families may not understand the problems they face."

Mimics Other Conditions

Leong was fortunate to get her answer so quickly: Diagnosis is a major problem. Symptoms can mimic multiple sclerosis, lupus, arthritis, and other conditions. A dentist is often the first to suspect its presence, because healthy teeth often begin to break down as a result of reduced saliva production.

An ophthalmologist may treat a patient for dry eyes, but Sjogren's may well remain undetected unless the patient mentions aching joints, dry mouth, or other problems.