Is Sjögren's syndrome easy to treat?

Sjögren's syndrome can manifest itself in a variety of different symptoms, so treatment must be targeted. For the eyes, attention should be paid to relieving the symptoms of dry eyes and reducing corneal damage. Also, attention should be paid to oral hygiene to prevent oral ulcers.

1. Eye care

Using artificial tears (5% methylcellulose) eye drops and improving the environment (such as using a humidifier) ​​can relieve dry eye symptoms, reduce corneal damage and discomfort, and reduce the chance of infection.

2. Oral care

Patients with dry mouth should abstain from smoking and drinking, and avoid using anticholesterol drugs that inhibit salivary gland secretion, such as atropine and scopolamine. The remaining function of the salivary glands can be stimulated and improved by using sugar-free gum. Pay attention to oral hygiene and take good care of your oral cavity. Be sure to use a toothpick to remove food residues after meals and rinse your mouth frequently to reduce tooth decay and secondary oral infections. When oral ulcers occur, you can first scrub the area with a cotton ball made of normal saline, and then apply 5% metronidazole. Avoid using gentian violet to avoid aggravating the symptoms of dry mouth. You can also take honeysuckle, white chrysanthemum or black plum licorice soup instead of tea frequently or rinse your mouth. For those with secondary oral infections, nystatin and other drugs can be used to treat common Candida infections; for those who develop purulent parotitis due to poor saliva drainage, antibiotics should be used as early as possible to avoid abscess formation.

3. Skin care

For dry skin, desquamation, and itching caused by sweat gland involvement, use less or no alkaline soap and choose neutral soap instead. Change clothes and bedding frequently and keep your skin dry. Skin lesions should be cleaned and the dressings changed according to the condition of the lesions. If infection occurs, antibiotics can be used appropriately. If you experience vaginal dryness, itching, or burning pain during sexual intercourse, you should pay attention to vaginal hygiene and use lubricants appropriately.

4. Respiratory care

Controlling the indoor humidity at 50%-60% and keeping the temperature at 18℃-21℃ can relieve symptoms such as dry cough caused by dry respiratory mucosa and prevent infection. For patients with thick sputum that is difficult to cough up, nebulizer inhalation can be used. Antibiotics and chymotrypsin can be added if necessary to control infection and promote expectoration.