Among many rheumatic autoimmune diseases, there is one whose name seems unrelated to rheumatism yet is a common and hard-to-recognize “hidden health killer” — Sjögren's syndrome. It primarily affects the body's exocrine glands such as the salivary glands, lacrimal glands, and sweat glands, causing these glands to be unable to secrete sufficient lubricating fluids, leading to dry mouth, dry eyes, and dry skin; in severe cases it can cause damage to multiple organ systems. The disease can occur on its own, called primary Sjögren's syndrome; it can also be secondary to other rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus, called secondary Sjögren's syndrome.

Factors contributing to “dryness”

Genetic factors

Sjögren's syndrome shows a certain degree of familial aggregation; when there is a patient with Sjögren's syndrome in the family, the probability of other family members developing the disease correspondingly increases.

Environmental factors

Long-term exposure to certain chemicals, dust, or prolonged residence in dry or heavily polluted environments can lead to decreased function of some glands, triggering or exacerbating symptoms of Sjögren's syndrome.

Abnormal hormone secretion

Sjögren's syndrome predominantly affects women, suggesting that the disease is related to abnormal estrogen levels. Estrogen may increase disease risk by affecting immune system balance and enhancing immune activity.

Autoimmune abnormalities

Sjögren syndrome is essentially an autoimmune disease in which the patient's immune system becomes dysregulated and produces autoantibodies against self-tissues. These antibodies attack and destroy exocrine glands such as the salivary glands and lacrimal glands, leading to glandular atrophy and loss of function, resulting in symptoms such as dry mouth and dry eyes.

Dryness may arise from external to internal causes

Dry mouth: This is the most common symptom in patients with Sjögren syndrome. Due to salivary gland dysfunction, patients feel oral dryness, tongue pain or fissuring of the tongue surface, and may need to drink water to swallow dry foods such as crackers or steamed buns. Reduced saliva secretion also diminishes the mouth's self-cleaning ability, leading to problems such as dental caries and halitosis.

Dry eyes: Because of decreased tear secretion, patients with Sjögren syndrome experience ocular dryness, blurred vision, itchy eyes, foreign body sensation, eye pain, and photophobia. In severe cases, it can cause keratitis, conjunctivitis, and other ocular diseases, affecting vision.

Dry skin: The sebum secreted by sebaceous glands protects the skin. When sebaceous gland secretion is affected, the skin becomes dry and rough, with symptoms such as pruritus and scaling.

Joint pain: Some patients with Sjögren's syndrome may develop joint symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis, such as pain, swelling, and morning stiffness, affecting joint mobility.

Methods to relieve symptoms

Patients with dry mouth

Should pay attention to maintaining oral hygiene, brush and rinse promptly after eating to avoid food residue; undergo regular dental checkups and treat caries promptly when detected; artificial saliva and other measures may also be used to alleviate symptoms of dry mouth.

Patients with dry eyes

Pay attention to eye hygiene; avoid prolonged use of electronic devices. When using a phone or computer, rest for 10 minutes every hour; a humidifier can be used to increase ambient humidity. When eye dryness is pronounced, use artificial tears or other lubricating eye drops; if symptoms such as blurred vision or corneal ulcers occur, see an ophthalmologist promptly.

Patients with dry skin

Change clothes frequently and keep the skin clean. In dry seasons use moisturizing skincare products such as petroleum jelly, vitamin E creams, and glycerin-based products; avoid scratching and washing with hot water, and minimize or avoid alkaline soaps or irritating cleansing products.

Dietary recommendations: eat light, drink plenty of water, and consume foods rich in vitamins, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, and milk; appropriately eat foods that nourish yin and moisten dryness, such as white fungus, lily bulb, and snow pear; avoid spicy, fried, and irritating foods.

Recommended tea substitutes

1. Lycium barbarum (goji) 5 g, Chrysanthemum 5 g — suitable for those with dry eyes and blurred vision.

2. Ophiopogon japonicus (Mai dong) 3 g, Dendrobium 3 g, Chinese yam (herbal slices) 3 g, Solomon’s seal (Yu zhu) 3 g — suitable for those with prominent dry mouth, red tongue with no coating, or even fissured tongue surface.

3. Puerariae radix (ge gen) 5 g, Phragmitis rhizoma (lu gen) 3 g, Trichosanthes kirilowii root (gua lou gen) 3 g; suitable for dry mouth, sticky oral mucosa, and white greasy tongue coating.

Choose a tea substitute that suits you, place the herbs in a cup, pour boiling water, and drink after 10–20 minutes. You may add water multiple times, brewing until the flavor becomes thin. For those with taste preferences, a small amount of rock sugar may be added.