Key takeaways

  • Sjögren disease prevents your moisture-producing glands from working properly, causing dryness throughout your body, including in your digestive tract.
  • The lack of moisture can slow down your digestion and make it harder for food to move through your system, leading to constipation.
  • To relieve constipation, you may want to try eating more fiber, drinking more water, staying active, and avoiding dehydrating drinks like alcohol and coffee. Talk with a healthcare professional if you’re experiencing digestive issues that are difficult to manage.

Sjögren disease (previously called Sjögren’s syndrome) is a chronic condition that affects your immune system and prevents the moisture-producing glands in your body from working as they should. It causes dryness in multiple areas of your body, including your:

  • eyes
  • mouth
  • nose
  • throat
  • vagina

It can also cause dryness in your digestive tract, leading to gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation.

This article takes a closer look at how Sjögren disease causes constipation and what you can do to relieve symptoms.

Sjögren disease leads to dryness throughout your body, and that lack of moisture makes it difficult for the food you eat to move through your digestive system.

Moisture is necessary to allow normal, healthy, and soft stools to form and pass out of your body. Because Sjögren disease reduces the moisture in your digestive tract, it can lead to constipation.

But that’s not the only way Sjögren disease can affect your bowels. For instance, some medications often used as part of a Sjögren disease treatment plan, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can also lead to constipation.

It’s common for people with Sjögren disease to have co-occurring thyroid gland conditions that can cause digestive difficulties such as constipation.

Additionally, dryness resulting from Sjögren disease can sometimes make it harder for the muscles in your digestive tract to contract, leading to slower digestion and constipation.

Other digestive issues

Sjögren disease can cause a range of digestive complications beyond constipation, including:

Some people with Sjögren disease experience these symptoms regularly, while others might experience them only occasionally or notice that they come and go.

There’s no specific diet recommended to reduce bowel-related symptoms of Sjögren disease, but there are steps you can take to manage these symptoms.

Before making any major diet or lifestyle changes, it’s best to talk with your doctor. They can help you determine which changes are the best and safest for you.

Here are some ways you may be able to reduce the bowel-related symptoms of Sjögren disease:

  • Eat more fiber: Fiber can help your body retain water, which will allow food to move more easily through your digestive system.
  • Sip water throughout the day: Hydration is important when you live with Sjögren disease. Drinking water throughout the day can help you stay hydrated and keep your digestive system functioning as it should.
  • Avoid dehydrating drinks: Alcohol, coffee, and some types of tea can sometimes be dehydrating. It’s best to limit or avoid these drinks.
  • Maintain a moderate weight: Managing your weight can help improve your overall health and your digestive health.
  • Stay active: Physical activity helps your digestive system work as it should. Even small amounts of exercise can make a difference.

Your doctor might also suggest other changes to manage your symptoms. For instance, if any medication you take is causing or worsening the bowel-related symptoms of Sjögren disease, your doctor might change that medication.

If your bowel-related symptoms are severe, your doctor might recommend medications to help relieve those symptoms.

Because Sjögren disease causes dryness throughout your body, you may have symptoms such as coughing, dry eyes, and nosebleeds.

Other possible symptoms of Sjögren disease include:

There are several possible complications linked to Sjögren disease, including:

Treatment can help prevent some of these complications. For instance, eye drops can keep your eyes moisturized and prevent vision damage, and receiving antibodies during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of complications for newborns.

It’s always a good idea to talk with your doctor about your risk of complications and how treatments can help prevent them.

Sjögren disease is a chronic condition that causes dryness throughout your body.

Dryness in your digestive tract can make it difficult for food to pass through your system. This can slow down digestion, prevent the formation of healthy stools, and lead to constipation and other digestive concerns.

Lifestyle changes such as eating more fiber, staying hydrated, and getting regular physical activity can help relieve constipation related to Sjögren disease.