Symptoms

Symptoms of Sjögren Syndrome

The most common symptoms of Sjögren syndrome include:

• Dry eyes: Some people report feeling as though they have sand in their eyes. Dry eyes may also be accompanied by blurred vision and/or sensitivity to light.
• Dry mouth: The dryness of the mouth that is associated with the syndrome is sometimes described as a feeling of having a mouth full of cotton. Some people may also have difficulty swallowing or talking.

Other symptoms may include:

• Vaginal dryness
• Tingling of the arms or legs
• Dry skin and/or skin rash
• Joint or muscle pain
• Chronic, dry cough
• Fatigue
• Dry throat
• Dry nasal passages

Complications of Sjögren syndrome

Most of the complications that are associated with Sjögren syndrome are caused by a lack of saliva, which normally protects the teeth and gums, or by a lack of tears, which protect the eye. The most common complications include:

• Tooth decay or gingivitis
• Eye infection or corneal damage
• Sinus infection
• Oral yeast infection (thrush)

Less common, but more serious complications may include:

• Cancer of the lymph system (lymphoma)
• Liver disease
• Bronchitis or pneumonia