Recognizing the signs your body may be trying to tell you

If you have ever joked about always carrying water with you, or you keep eye drops in every bag, purse, and car you own, you might be managing more than just dry eyes and a dry mouth. You could be living with Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease that is often overlooked for years. July 23 marks Sjögren’s Disease Awareness Day, making this summer a good time to pay closer attention to symptoms that are easy to dismiss as “just getting older” or “just allergies.”

What is Sjögren’s Disease?

Sjögren’s disease, also known as Sjögren’s syndrome, is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s moisture producing glands, most often the glands responsible for tears and saliva. The result is persistent dry eyes and dry mouth, but Sjögren’s can also affect the skin, joints, and other organs throughout the body.

Sjögren’s syndrome is far more common than most people realize, affecting an estimated four million Americans, the vast majority of them women. Despite how common this autoimmune disease is, it often takes years to diagnose because its symptoms overlap with so many other conditions, including normal aging, seasonal allergies, and other autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Why Summer Makes Sjögren’s Symptoms Harder to Ignore

Heat, sun exposure, air conditioning, and increased outdoor activity can all intensify the dryness that comes with Sjögren’s syndrome. Patients living with this autoimmune disease often notice:

  • Eyes that feel gritty, burning, or sensitive to bright sunlight
  • A dry mouth that makes hot weather and salty summer foods uncomfortable
  • Increased fatigue, especially in heat or humidity
  • Joint pain or stiffness that can flare alongside other symptoms

If dry eyes, dry mouth, or unexplained fatigue have been part of your summer every year and you have chalked it up to allergies or aging, it may be worth a closer look from a rheumatologist.

Signs It May Be Time to See a Rheumatologist

  • Dry eyes or dry mouth that does not improve with over the counter drops or simply drinking more water
  • Difficulty swallowing dry foods
  • Swollen glands around the jaw or neck
  • Joint pain or swelling alongside dryness
  • Unexplained fatigue that does not match your activity level

None of these symptoms on their own confirms a Sjögren’s diagnosis, but together, they are worth bringing to a rheumatologist who can look at the full picture and run the right tests.

Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Sjögren’s syndrome is manageable with the right treatment plan, but untreated dryness can lead to complications like dental decay, corneal damage, and an increased risk of developing other autoimmune diseases. Getting an accurate Sjögren’s diagnosis early allows for a treatment plan that protects your long term health and improves day to day comfort.

How OAOC Can Help

At Overlake Arthritis and Osteoporosis Center in Bellevue, our rheumatology team takes the time to listen and look at your full symptom picture rather than treating dry eyes or dry mouth as an isolated complaint. We work with patients throughout the greater Seattle area to manage Sjögren’s syndrome through personalized treatment plans, and for patients interested in emerging treatment options, our Clinical Research Center is currently enrolling for autoimmune disease studies that may include Sjögren’s.

You do not have to wait for symptoms to get worse before getting answers. This Sjögren’s Disease Awareness Day, take the first step toward a diagnosis and a treatment plan that actually fits your life. 📞 Call us at (425) 453-0766 📧 Email us at psr@overlakearthritis.com 🌐 Learn more at www.overlakearthritis.com