1.0Glossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossaryGlossaryhttps://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/author/adminglossary/rich600338<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="7XLC3StAol"><a href="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/sjogren-syndrome/">Sjogren syndrome</a></blockquote><iframe sandbox="allow-scripts" security="restricted" src="https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/sjogren-syndrome/embed/#?secret=7XLC3StAol" width="600" height="338" title="“Sjogren syndrome” — Glossary" data-secret="7XLC3StAol" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" class="wp-embedded-content"></iframe><script> /*! This file is auto-generated */ !function(d,l){"use strict";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&"undefined"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!/[^a-zA-Z0-9]/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret="'+t.secret+'"]'),c=new RegExp("^https?:$","i"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display="none";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute("style"),"height"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):"link"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute("src")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener("message",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll("iframe.wp-embedded-content"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute("data-secret"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+="#?secret="+t,e.setAttribute("data-secret",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:"ready",secret:t},"*")},!1)))}(window,document); //# sourceURL=https://www.healthbenefitstimes.com/glossary/wp-includes/js/wp-embed.min.js </script> A disease in which the salivary glands and the lacrimal glands (which produce tears) are progressively destroyed by malfunction of lymphocytes (white blood cells that fight infection) and plasma cells (white blood cells that produce antibodies). The glands producing moisture in the vagina may also be involved. Tissues and structures of the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, the sweat glands, liver, kidneys, lungs, and thyroid glands may also be affected. This syndrome may be involved in rheumatoid arthritis, Systemic lupus erythematosus.A disorder of connective tissue, with dryness of the mouth (xerostomia) and eyes (kerato conjunctivitis sicca) occurring in association with rheumatoid arthritis. It occurs in approximately 10 per cent of patients with the latter condition, but it can occur and frequently does so independently of rheumatoid disease. The lack of tears gives rise to symptoms of dryness and grittiness of the eyes; the dry mouth can occasionally be so severe as to cause a sysphagia. The disease is due to the autoimmune destruction of the salivary glands and the lacrimal glands. The disorder is usually associated with specific HLA antigen. Treatment is unsatisfactory and is limited to oral and ocular hygiene as well as the provision of artificial tears in the form of cellulose eye drops.An autoimmune disorder marked by decreased lacrimal and salivary secretions, resulting in dry eyes (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (xerostomia). In 50% of patients it occurs alone; in the other 50% it is seen in conjunction with other autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroiditis, scleroderma, and esp. rheumatoid arthritis. It occurs primarily in middle-aged women.A condition primarily impacting middle-aged women, Sjögren's syndrome results in excessive dryness of the eyes and mouth. Other regions like the nasal passages, throat, and vagina may also be affected. The syndrome often coexists with specific autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, where the immune system targets the body's own tissues. This dryness arises from the immune system's destruction of the exocrine glands, which produce lubricants.