7 Facts About Sjogren's That Everyone Needs To Know

One of the things I find so incredibly frustrating about Sjogren's Disease, is that nobody knows what it is!

Can you believe I have walked into dental and optometrist offices and when I ask the employees working if they've ever heard of Sjogren's Syndrome I get answers like:

"No, I've never heard of it"

"Oh yeah, I studied it in school but I can't remember it"

"Yes, that's the disease I can't spell, how do you say it again?"

If the individuals who typically treat this disease have trouble identifying it, how the heck can we expect to get proper treatment?

This is one of the reasons why I have started this blog, to help increase awareness about Sjogren's, both in the medical field and the public.

It's important to know what to look for, especially in the early stages.

Unfortunately for many individuals who have been diagnosed Sjogren's, the disease was only diagnosed once more severe symptoms arose, such as joint pain, fatigue or damage to internal organs.

This is why it is so important for health care providers to conduct a whole body review to identify if Sjogren's may be at play.

For example, if your optometrist notices dry eyes, inflammation and/or blepharitis, s/he may ask ask questions about your dental care, (dry mouth, excessive cavities), joint pain, or family history.

This systemic (whole body) approach can help identity Sjogren's in the early stages of the disease.

Why is it so important to identify in the early stages?

Well for starters, treatment will help with those pesky sicca symptoms.

Early identification of the disease will also allow the individual to research the disease to become an informed patient.

Informed patients support their health care team by monitoring symptoms so the doctors can monitor and treating the disease.

In an effort to try and increase awareness about Sjogren's Syndrome I put together this info-graphic.

Source: Information from this info-graphic was adapted from the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation fact sheet.

Please join me in increasing awareness of Sjogren's Syndrome by sharing this blog post and info-graphic on your social media sites.

Heather 💜

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