Is It Sjogren's Syndrome? Why Your Body Is Always Dry & What to Do Next

If your eyes burn by midday, your mouth feels sticky no matter how much water you drink, or your skin seems constantly dry, you may be wondering: Is it Sjogren's syndrome?

Occasional dryness is common. But when dryness becomes persistent, uncomfortable, and affects multiple parts of your body, it may signal something more than dehydration or aging.

This guide explains what Sjogren's syndrome is, why it causes dryness, the symptoms to watch for, and what medical steps to take next.

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What Is Sjogren's Syndrome?

Sjogren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease. That means your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissues — specifically the glands that produce moisture.

The condition most often affects:

• Tear glands (causing dry eyes)
• Salivary glands (causing dry mouth)

But it can also affect joints, lungs, nerves, kidneys, and other organs.

There are two main types:

• Primary Sjogren's syndrome – occurs on its own
• Secondary Sjogren's syndrome – occurs alongside another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

It is more common in women, especially over age 40, but it can affect anyone.

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Why Does Sjogren's Syndrome Cause So Much Dryness?

In Sjogren's syndrome, immune cells attack moisture-producing glands. Over time, this reduces your body's ability to make:

• Tears
• Saliva
• Mucus

Because moisture is essential for protection and comfort, the result is widespread dryness that can affect daily life.

Dryness may involve:

• Eyes
• Mouth
• Throat
• Skin
• Nose
• Vaginal tissue
• Airways

This dryness is not just uncomfortable — it can lead to complications if untreated.

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Common Symptoms of Sjogren's Syndrome

The hallmark symptoms are:

1. Dry Eyes

You may experience:

• Burning or stinging
• Gritty or sandy feeling
• Redness
• Blurred vision
• Sensitivity to light

Some people paradoxically experience watery eyes — this can happen because irritation triggers reflex tearing, even though baseline tear production is low.

2. Dry Mouth

This can cause:

• Difficulty swallowing dry foods
• Needing water to speak comfortably
• Cracked lips
• Mouth sores
• Increased cavities
• Bad breath

Saliva protects teeth and gums. Without it, dental problems become more common.

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Other Symptoms Beyond Dryness

Sjogren's syndrome is systemic, meaning it can affect the whole body. You may also notice:

• Fatigue (often significant)
• Joint pain or stiffness
• Swollen salivary glands
• Skin rashes or dryness
• Chronic cough
• Numbness or tingling
• Digestive discomfort

In more serious cases, organs such as the lungs, kidneys, or nerves can become involved.

While most cases are manageable, untreated systemic involvement can become serious — which is why proper evaluation matters.

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Could It Be Something Else?

Yes. Not all dryness means Sjogren's syndrome.

Other causes include:

• Dehydration
• Certain medications (antihistamines, antidepressants, blood pressure drugs)
• Menopause
• Diabetes
• Thyroid disorders
• Anxiety
• Aging
• Radiation therapy
• Contact lens overuse

This is why medical testing is important. Symptoms alone cannot confirm Sjogren's syndrome.

If you're experiencing persistent dryness and want to understand whether your symptoms align with this condition, Ubie offers a free AI-powered symptom checker specifically for Sjogren Syndrome that can help you assess your situation before seeing a doctor.

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How Is Sjogren's Syndrome Diagnosed?

There is no single test that confirms Sjogren's syndrome. Diagnosis typically involves a combination of:

1. Medical History

Your doctor will ask about:

• Dryness duration and severity
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Other autoimmune conditions
• Medication use

2. Blood Tests

These may check for:

• Anti-SSA (Ro) antibodies
• Anti-SSB (La) antibodies
• Rheumatoid factor
• ANA (antinuclear antibodies)
• Markers of inflammation

Not everyone with Sjogren's tests positive for antibodies, so normal labs do not automatically rule it out.

3. Eye Tests

An ophthalmologist may perform:

• Schirmer's test (measures tear production)
• Eye surface staining

4. Saliva Testing

• Salivary flow measurement
• Imaging of salivary glands
• In some cases, a minor lip biopsy

A lip biopsy checks for immune cell clusters in salivary glands and can help confirm diagnosis when blood tests are unclear.

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Why Early Diagnosis Matters

Sjogren's syndrome is usually slow-moving, but it is not harmless.

Possible complications include:

• Severe dental decay
• Corneal damage
• Oral infections
• Chronic fatigue affecting work and quality of life
• Lung inflammation
• Nerve damage
• Increased risk of lymphoma (rare but higher than average)

Most people do not develop severe complications, but early monitoring reduces risk.

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Treatment Options for Sjogren's Syndrome

There is currently no cure, but treatment focuses on symptom control and preventing complications.

For Dry Eyes:

• Artificial tears
• Prescription anti-inflammatory eye drops
• Punctal plugs (to reduce tear drainage)
• Moisture chamber glasses (in severe cases)

For Dry Mouth:

• Frequent sips of water
• Sugar-free gum or lozenges
• Saliva substitutes
• Prescription medications to stimulate saliva (such as pilocarpine)
• Excellent dental hygiene

For Joint Pain or Fatigue:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Hydroxychloroquine (commonly used in autoimmune conditions)
• Immunosuppressive medications in more severe cases

For Systemic Disease:

If organs are involved, rheumatologists may prescribe stronger immune-modulating medications.

Treatment is individualized based on symptom severity and organ involvement.

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When Should You See a Doctor?

You should schedule a medical evaluation if you have:

• Persistent dry eyes and dry mouth lasting more than 3 months
• Difficulty swallowing dry foods
• Recurrent dental problems
• Unexplained fatigue with dryness
• Joint pain with dryness
• Swollen salivary glands

Seek urgent medical care if you experience:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Severe weakness
• Numbness or neurological symptoms
• Significant swelling of glands
• Unexplained weight loss

While these complications are not common, they should never be ignored.

Always speak to a doctor about symptoms that could be serious or life threatening.

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Living With Sjogren's Syndrome

If diagnosed, many people live full, active lives with proper management.

Helpful lifestyle strategies include:

• Staying well hydrated
• Using a humidifier
• Avoiding smoke exposure
• Limiting caffeine and alcohol (both worsen dryness)
• Prioritizing dental care
• Managing fatigue with structured rest and light exercise

Support from a rheumatologist, dentist, and eye specialist often provides the best long-term care.

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The Bottom Line

If your body always feels dry — especially your eyes and mouth — and it's not improving with simple measures, Sjogren's syndrome may be worth investigating.

Not all dryness is autoimmune disease. But persistent, multi-area dryness combined with fatigue or joint pain should not be dismissed.

Next steps:

• Track your symptoms
• Review medications
• Consider using a Sjogren Syndrome symptom checker to evaluate your symptoms
• Schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor
• Ask about referral to a rheumatologist if needed

Early evaluation brings clarity. Early treatment prevents complications.

And most importantly, if you are worried that something serious could be happening, do not wait — speak to a doctor promptly.

Your body's dryness may be manageable. The key is understanding the cause and taking informed next steps.