Immune cells attack the lacrimal and salivary glands
Inflammation can damage gland tissue, reducing the secretion of tears and saliva, which leads to dry eyes and a dry mouth.
Causes of Sjögren's syndrome: Why does it attack the lacrimal and salivary glands?
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells in the glands that produce tears and saliva, although the exact reason why this reaction begins is not fully understood. Researchers believe that several genetic differences related to immune function and environmental factors are involved together. While there is a hypothesis that previous viral or bacterial infections may be triggers, a single specific infection cannot be confirmed as the definitive cause for an individual. Rather than estimating the cause based on dry eyes and mouth alone, symptoms, blood tests, and evaluations of the tear and salivary glands must be considered comprehensively.
Causes of Sjögren's Syndrome
Key points
- 1The central mechanism is an autoimmune process where immune cells attack healthy cells in the lacrimal (tear) and salivary glands.
- 2The exact single cause is unknown and is viewed as a combination of various genetic differences and environmental factors.
- 3A single factor, such as a specific infection, stress, or food, is not concluded to be the sole cause for an individual.
Boundaries of Causal Explanation
Distinguishing between confirmed immune mechanisms and triggers under research
A correlation does not necessarily mean it is the direct cause for an individual.| Current Clues | Precautions for Interpretation | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Daily persistent dryness of eyes and mouth | Sjögren's cannot be confirmed by dryness symptoms alone | Comprehensive review of symptoms, tear/salivary gland tests, and blood tests |
| Autoimmune response confirmed | Mechanism where the immune system attacks gland tissue | Evaluate affected areas and impact on organs together |
| Family history of autoimmune disease | A clue to genetic factors, not a confirmation of onset | Determined by individual symptoms and tests |
| Symptoms starting after an infection | One of the environmental trigger hypotheses | Avoid concluding a specific virus or bacterium as the sole cause |
| Accompanied by systemic symptoms beyond the glands | Possibility of immune involvement in other tissues or organs | Consultation for rheumatologic evaluation and organ-specific tests |
What the clinic checks first
Did infection or stress cause my Sjögren's syndrome?
While the possibility that specific infections and environmental factors are involved in triggering the condition is under research, they cannot be confirmed as a single cause for an individual. It is viewed as a combination of genetic/environmental factors and an autoimmune response.Understanding possible causes
The cause of Sjögren's syndrome is explained as a process where the immune system mistakenly recognizes its own tissues as foreign and attacks the lacrimal (tear) and salivary glands. However, the single trigger that first activates this immune response is unknown, and research suggests that various genetic differences and environmental factors work together.
How it may develop
The immune response may extend to other tissues
In some cases, the immune system may affect tissues and organs outside the glands, causing systemic symptoms.
Multiple factors overlap rather than a single cause
It is believed that various immune-related genetic differences and environmental factors act together, but the specific triggering factor for each individual cannot be confirmed.
Factors to review
Immune-related genetic background
While several genetic differences are associated, a single gene does not cause Sjögren's syndrome nor determine an individual's risk.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors that may trigger the immune response are being studied, but a single lifestyle habit cannot be identified as the cause.
Previous infection hypothesis
Some researchers believe that viral or bacterial infections may be triggering factors, but the same infection is not identified in all patients.
Useful context
- When dry eyes and mouth began and whether they persist daily
- Tear and saliva secretion and related test results
- Blood test results, including autoantibodies
- Fatigue, joint discomfort, and other systemic symptoms
- Gland swelling and symptoms in other tissues or organs
- Family history of autoimmune disease
- Timeline relative to any infections
- Medications and other conditions that can cause dryness
More detail
Understanding the Identified Autoimmune Mechanism
Tear and Salivary Glands are the Primary Targets
Immune cells mistakenly attack healthy gland cells, causing inflammation, which can reduce the secretion of tears and saliva.
Dryness is a Result, Not Proof of the Cause
Since dry eyes and mouth can occur in various conditions, the cause of Sjögren's syndrome is determined through a combination of symptoms and tests.
Tissues Outside the Glands May Also Be Affected
In some cases, other tissues or organs may be affected by the immune attack, so systemic symptoms are evaluated together.
Avoiding Overstatement of Genetic and Environmental Factors
Various Genetic Differences are Involved
While various genetic differences related to immune function are being studied, the cause of onset is not confirmed by a single test.
Environmental Factors are Viewed as a Combination
The relationship between the living environment and immune response is studied, but a single factor such as food, stress, or lifestyle habits is not concluded to be the direct cause.
Infection is a Possible Trigger Hypothesis
The possibility that previous viral or bacterial infections trigger an immune response has been suggested, but this does not mean it is the confirmed cause for every individual.
Prioritizing Diagnosis and Long-term Evaluation Over Estimating Causes
Integrating Symptoms and Multiple Tests
The pattern of persistent dryness, blood tests, and evaluations of the tear and salivary glands are reviewed together; the cause is not determined by a single result alone.
Reporting Symptoms in Other Tissues or Organs
If systemic symptoms exist beyond dry eyes and mouth, the extent of immune involvement is evaluated to determine a management plan.
Herbal Medicine Treatment Does Not Replace Autoimmune Evaluation
Consultations for herbal medicine treatment are provided only as a supportive measure and must not replace or delay rheumatology, ophthalmology, or dental care, nor the evaluation of organ involvement.
Consultation on the causes of Sjögren's syndrome at Baekrokdam
We prioritize identifying the extent of immune involvement over estimating a single cause
For acute eye pain, changes in vision, or respiratory and neurological symptoms, standard evaluations by ophthalmology, rheumatology, or organ-specific specialists must come before herbal medicine treatment. For chronic or recurring dryness, we use tests to confirm whether the immune system is attacking the glands or involving the whole body, and we do not conclude that specific infections, foods, or stress are the sole causes. Herbal medicine treatment does not replace or delay autoimmune care or protective treatments from ophthalmology and dentistry; it is consulted only as a supplement for remaining daily discomforts.We review autoimmune mechanisms and test results
We do not make a determination based on dry eyes and mouth alone, but review blood tests along with tear and salivary gland evaluations.
We examine symptoms in tissues and organs outside the glands
We check for systemic changes beyond dryness to determine if rheumatology or organ-specific evaluations are necessary.
We address only the discomfort remaining after standard care
While maintaining autoimmune disease management and protective care from ophthalmology and dentistry, we track only the recurring changes in dryness, fatigue, and sleep before and after herbal medicine treatment.
Please prepare the start date of your dry eyes and mouth, whether they persist daily, results of blood, tear, and salivary gland tests, any other systemic symptoms, family history of autoimmune diseases, and a list of all medications you are taking.
Frequently asked questions
What is the exact cause of Sjögren's syndrome?
A single exact cause is not known. It is believed that several genetic and environmental factors are involved in the immune system's attack on the body's own tissues.
If a family member has it, will I definitely develop it too?
No. Genetic background is only one of many factors, and whether an individual develops the condition is determined by symptoms and medical tests.
Is a viral infection the cause?
While there is a hypothesis that a previous infection may be a trigger, a specific virus or bacterium cannot be confirmed as the cause for all patients.
Can Korean herbal medicine eliminate the autoimmune cause?
There is no evidence to guarantee such a result. Korean herbal medicine treatment does not replace standard autoimmune evaluations or the management of eyes, teeth, and internal organs.
Sources
- NIDCR — Sjögren's DiseaseAutoimmune mechanisms attacking tear and salivary glands, genetic/environmental factors, and previous infection hypothesesOpen source
- NIAMS — Sjögren's DiseaseExact cause unknown; immune-related genetic differences, environmental factors, and involvement of glands and other organsOpen source
Content reviewed:
This information supports, but does not replace, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.