The "sister disease" to lupus is most commonly considered to be Sjögren’s disease (also known as Sjögren's syndrome). Both are chronic autoimmune disorders that share underlying immune system pathways, meaning the body's defenses mistakenly attack its own healthy tissues.
Three hallmark signs of Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the glands responsible for producing moisture, include:
A lupus flare feels like a sudden or gradual intensification of the disease, where the immune system attacks healthy tissues and causes widespread inflammation. People typically experience a return of their personal baseline symptoms, alongside overwhelming fatigue, painful joints, and unexplained fevers.
A flare-up, often referred to as a “flare,” is a sudden, severe onset of symptoms. As example, you've been managing well, your symptoms have lessened and, having momentarily forgotten the pain and dryness, you've been living 'full out' as you used to. Then, suddenly, those angry symptoms are back!
Yes, Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic condition that progresses slowly over time, and for many people, symptoms do worsen or expand without proper treatment.
Sjögren’s disease can cause hair problems, primarily due to systemic inflammation and reduced natural oil (sebum) production. Patients commonly experience dry, brittle hair that breaks easily, excessive shedding (telogen effluvium), or localized thinning.
The "worst" autoimmune diseases are typically categorized by their high fatality rates, potential for vital organ damage, and severe impact on quality of life. While there are over 80 types of autoimmune conditions, the following five are widely considered among the most dangerous:
While Sjögren's syndrome can occasionally come on suddenly, it much more commonly develops slowly over months or years, often masking as mild, overlooked dryness. Some individuals experience a sudden onset or "flare" following a trigger like a viral illness or hormone change.
Yes, Sjögren's syndrome causes severe dental problems primarily because it attacks the glands that produce saliva. This extreme lack of saliva removes the mouth's natural defense mechanism, creating a high-risk environment for oral diseases.
Sjögren's joint pain typically feels like aching, stiffness, and tenderness, often mimicking rheumatoid arthritis. It is usually symmetrical and can range from mild to severe.
Calming a lupus flare requires a combination of medical intervention and lifestyle adjustments. The foundation of relief involves contacting your rheumatologist to adjust medications, practicing strict sun avoidance, getting extra rest, and utilizing heat or ice for joint pain.
4 Urine Smells With Lupus: Chicken Broth, Ammonia, Fruity, and Fishy | MyLupusTeam.
Lupus is known as "the great imitator" because it can cause a wide variety of strange and unexpected symptoms throughout the entire body. Because it triggers the immune system to attack healthy tissues, signs can range from neurological issues to mysterious skin lesions and vascular changes.
The autoimmune system attacks the moisture-secreting glands and mucous membranes, resulting in dryness wherever the body naturally self-lubricates, such as the mouth, eyes and even skin. The lack of moisture can lead to problems like eye infections, tooth decay and recurring nosebleeds, he adds.
Diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome requires a combination of blood work, objective eye and salivary function tests, and sometimes a minor salivary gland biopsy. There is no single test for the condition. The diagnosis process evaluates both subjective symptoms and objective signs.
Many conditions share symptoms with Sjögren's syndrome, making misdiagnosis common. Because both dryness and widespread pain are hallmark features, several systemic diseases, infections, and lifestyle factors can easily mimic the condition.
Yes, a dentist can play a key role in identifying and diagnosing Sjögren's. Because severe dry mouth (xerostomia) and rapid tooth decay are hallmark signs, dentists are often the first to suspect the condition.
The root cause of Sjögren's syndrome is unknown, but medical experts classify it as an autoimmune disease. It develops when white blood cells mistakenly attack the body's moisture-producing exocrine glands, like the tear (lacrimal) and saliva (salivary) glands.
Yes, Sjögren's can cause back pain. While Sjögren's is best known for dry eyes and dry mouth, it is a systemic autoimmune disease that triggers widespread inflammation.
A person who develops Sjögren's syndrome most likely inherits the risk from one or both of their parents, but in addition, there's been some sort of environmental impact—such as a viral or bacterial infection—that causes it to become active.
The worst symptoms of Sjögren's often extend far beyond just dry eyes and mouth. They include:
Yes, Sjögren's can significantly affect the brain and nervous system, a complication sometimes referred to as NeuroSjögren's. While primarily known for dry eyes and dry mouth, the autoimmune response can cause inflammation in the brain and spinal cord.
Because pain is subjective, there is no single "most painful" autoimmune disease. However, medical consensus and patient experiences consistently rank several conditions as agonizing due to severe joint destruction, nerve damage, or systemic inflammation.
Here are some common examples:
Lady Gaga does not officially have lupus, but she tested "borderline positive" for the autoimmune disease in 2010.