Dry Mouth and Eyes

Occasionally, many of us have experienced dryness in mouth and eyes which gets cured on its own. However, if a person is experiencing it persistently, then it must be due to an underlying health disorder. The medical term used to describe this condition is Sjogren's syndrome. It mainly affects the salivary glands and the tear glands present in the mouth and eyes respectively.

The cause of this condition is not exactly known; however, it is known that it is an autoimmune disorder (the immune system starts attacking the healthy cells and tissues of the body by mistake). It can develop in people of any age group, but those who are above the age of 40 years are at a higher risk of developing it. It is more commonly found in women than in men.

Many people tend to experience dry mouth and eyes at night. Some of the typical signs of this condition include burning, itchy, and gritty eyes, sudden blurred vision, and dryness of mouth which makes swallowing, chewing, and speaking difficult. Some patients often show symptoms like redness of the eyes, light sensitivity, and eye fatigue. In a few cases, patients complain of burning sensation on the tongue, alteration in taste sensation, ulceration of the tongue, etc.

A pair of salivary glands that is present in between the jaw and the ears is known as parotid glands. These glands become enlarged in this condition. Other symptoms are dry skin, vaginal dryness in women, skin rash, dry cough, pain, swelling and stiffness of the joints, and fatigue. This condition is often accompanied by other autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

For the diagnosis of the condition, physical examination is done, and the medical history of the patient is studied. It is followed by blood tests where the antibody levels are measured; if the antibody level is high, then the person may be affected by this condition. An eye examination is also done to check the extent of dryness of the eyes. Since there is no cure for Sjorgen's syndrome, the main aim of the treatment is to reduce the intensity of the symptoms.

There are different types of oral medicines that are also used to treat this condition. They include medicines to increase the production of saliva, immunosuppressants for the suppression of abnormal functioning of the immune system, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve joint pain and swelling, etc.

Artificial tear preparations and eye drops are often applied to the eyes in order to treat a dry eye. Lubricating ointments can be used at night. These ointments are so greasy that they cannot be used during the day. In case of extreme dryness, doctors perform laser procedure to permanently seal the tear ducts that are drained out.

Dry mouth is quite difficult to treat because the artificial lubricants that are used for this purpose fail to give satisfactory results. Use of sugarless chewing gum and spraying of water inside the mouth are some common remedies for this condition. Special lubricating creams are used to reduce the dryness of vagina. Proper moisturizers need to be used to get rid of dry skin.

When a person is affected by dry mouth and eyes, then certain style changes have to be made in the diet to control the symptoms. He/she should include more soft and moist foods, and drink plenty of fluids. Sugary foods should be avoided as they promote dental caries. Proper oral care and regular visits to the doctor is a must for this condition.

Disclaimer: This Story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.