Sjogren’s Syndrome and Celiac Disease The relationship between the two.
How Gluten is the root to many of the symptoms in both, I have Sjogren’s and have tested this in my life when I don’t eat the gluten products I feel fine but when I do eat gluten products it produces inflammation in my joints, and it effects my nervous system it even effects my skin and it produces fatigue. I would like to share with you my experience and also what I have done to fight this battle. By researching Celiac disease I have found out about the sojgren’s. It has made me more aware of the similarities what to do and what not to do and it has helped me. The links listed here are places I have been to educate myself about these syndromes. I am hoping that this will educate and help people be aware of where the root is to how they feel and what they eat really does effect the way their body reacts.

Here are some information to start out with and the link follows where you can go read the rest of the story on these subjects.

What Gluten Can Do

Gluten - Not a Friendly Protein

Gluten is a protein found in grains. Research has shown it to be toxic to certain individuals in the grains of wheat, rye, barley, and oats. While gluten is essential for the make-up of these 4 grains, our bodies do not need it. Is it healthful? The protein in today’s wheat is poorly digested and can be harmful. An estimated 95% of prepared foods on the grocery shelves contain the toxic forms of gluten.

Gluten Sensitivity: When Gluten Gets into Our Bloodstream

Gluten Sensitivity is an immune response to gluten that can happen to anyone. This type of response is not inherited like Celiac Disease. Rather, it involves a normal response to the abnormal appearance of gluten in the body.

http://glutenfreeworks.com/gluteninformation.php

National Foundation For Celiac Awareness
http://www.celiaccentral.org/What_is_Celiac_/13/

What is Sjögren’s syndrome?
Sjögren’s syndrome is a disorder of the immune system characterized most often by dry eyes and a dry mouth. Since it is an autoimmune disorder, the body attacks its own cells and tissues. It remains unknown why this happens, but researchers believe that a combination of factors causes something to go wrong with the immune system. These factors may be related to heredity, hormones, a viral or bacterial infection, or the nervous system. In the case of Sjögren’s syndrome, white blood cells called lymphocytes target, attack and damage the moisture-producing glands. This can lead to problems such as difficulty swallowing, dental cavities and vision problems. Sjögren’s syndrome can also result in damage to tissues of the lungs, kidneys and liver.

Sjögren’s syndrome that results from a rheumatic condition is classified as secondary Sjögren’s syndrome. Primary Sjögren’s syndrome occurs by itself.

Although there’s no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, treatments can relieve many of the symptoms.
The Connection Between Celiac and Sjögren’s:

* Both celiac disease and Sjögren’s syndrome have an autoimmune background and a close association.
* Sjögren’s syndrome had a ten times greater incidence in one study compared to non-celiacs.
* In another study, the prevalence of celiac disease amongst patients with Sjögren’s syndrome has been found to be between 4.5% and 15%.
* According to Patinen et al., the co-occurrence of celiac disease and Sjögren’s syndrome should be recognized because of its effects on dental and oral mucosal health. In their 1994 study, they suggested that a gluten-free diet treatment might alleviate autoimmune inflammation.
* On the basis of their findings, Szodoray et al. recommend screening, follow-up, and regular gastrointestinal care of Sjögren’s syndrome patients to identify celiac disease cases and help them to avoid severe malnutrition and intestinal malignancies.

Signs and symptoms

Sjögren’s syndrome can be difficult to diagnose because the signs and symptoms are similar to those caused by other diseases and can vary from person to person. In addition, the side effects of a number of medications can mimic some signs and symptoms of Sjögren’s syndrome. Still, typical signs and symptoms of Sjögren’s include:

* Dry eyes
* Dry mouth
* Dental cavities
* Fatigue
* Fever
* Enlarged parotid glands - one particular set of your salivary glands, located behind your jaw and in front of your ears
* Difficulty swallowing or chewing
* Change in sense of taste
* Hoarseness
* Oral yeast infections, such as candidiasis
* Irritation and mild bleeding in your nose
* Skin rashes or dry skin
* Vaginal dryness
* Dry cough that doesn’t produce sputum
* Joint pain, swelling and stiffness

Who gets Sjögren’s Sydrome?
Although anyone can develop Sjögren’s syndrome, it typically occurs in people with one or more known risk factors. These include:

* It is common for people who have Sjögren’s syndrome to also have a rheumatic disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma or polymyositis.
* Women are nine times as likely as men are to have Sjögren’s syndrome.
* Sjögren’s syndrome is usually diagnosed in people older than 40.
* Having a family history of Sjögren’s.

Screening and diagnosis
Beyond reviewing your medical history, current medications and diet, the doctor can use various tests to diagnose Sjögren’s syndrome, such as a blood test, tear test, imaging, biopsy, urine sample and a slit-lamp exam.

Please post a comment with any information you may add to this topic so others can benefit from this. My main purpose here is to educate people on what is happening to their systems when they eat certain foods. So many people don’t realize where the main source is coming from when they hurt in their body’s. There may not be cures but we can control the amount of pain by going with certain guidelines in our diets.

Another problem that I am looking for solutions on is bursitis and tendinitis in my shoulder again when I stay away from gluten products the inflammation stays low and I feel low pain.