In 1933, Swedish physician Henrik Sjögren first described a group of women in whom chronic arthritis was accompanied by dry eyes and mouth, effectively discovering a condition that still bears his name today.
Sjögren’s syndrome is an inflammatory disease that can affect many different parts of the body, but in most cases damages the lacrimal and salivary glands. Those affected suffer from
- irritation,
- dryness or burning in the eyes.
Dry mouth (or difficulty eating dry food) and swollen glands around the face and neck are also common. Some patients have dry nose, throat, vagina and skin. Also quite common are difficulty swallowing and symptoms of acid reflux.
