BLOGGER TEMPLATES AND TWITTER BACKGROUNDS

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Sjogren's Syndrome ( SS)

~Is a chronic disease where the body's immune system starts to attack the glands that produce the moisture in the eyes ( lacrimal glands ) and mouth  ( salivary glands )
~is an autoimmune disease where the body’s own immune system produces these antibodies that attack its own self.
~occur alone , called primary SS .
~associated with other autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus , called secondary SS .
~dry eyes , dry mouth ,joint pain ( affected joints ) skin rashes , inflammation of blood vessels ( vasculitis ) shortness of breath , nausea , or hearburn , jaundice ( yellow skin or eyes due to liver disease ) neurological  ( nerve ) problems or hearing loss , cancer of the lymph glands ( lymphoma )
~blood tests to check for the presence of antibodies , which are markers for the autoimmune disease . 
~no cure for SS . 
~treatments are available to relieve the symptoms . 

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