Tag: neurological

Sjögren’s Syndrome

Cynthia A. Lockley on
  • Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation
  • Sjögren's Syndrome Symptoms – Dry Mouth & Eyes from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS). Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body. The main symptoms are dry eyes and mouth, but other parts of the body may be affected as well, with many people reporting fatigue and joint and muscle pain. In addition, the disease can damage the lungs, kidneys, and nervous system. Sjögren's syndrome predominantly affects women.  New
  • Sjögren's Syndrome from the American College of Rheumatology. Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic, autoimmune disease. It can occur alone or with other autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or lupus. Sjögren's syndrome presents with dry eyes and dry mouth. Inflammation of the tear ducts and saliva glands cause dryness and irritation. Other common symptoms include joint and muscle pain, fatigue, and rashes. Less commonly, it can affect internal organs such as the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, and nervous system.  New
  • Diagnosis of Sjögren's Syndrome from the Johns Hopkins Sjögren's Center. There are several tests that doctors may recommend to determine if you have Sjögren's syndrome.  New
  • Sjögren's Syndrome article by Mayo Clinic staff  Updated
  • Green tea may help prevent autoimmune diseases, ScienceDaily – Medical College of Georgia, April 20 2007. They found significantly less salivary gland damage in a group treated with green tea extract, suggesting a reduction of the Sjögren's symptom commonly referred to as dry mouth…"Since it is an autoimmune disease, Sjögren's Syndrome causes the body to attack itself and produce extra antibodies that mistakenly target the salivary and lacrimal glands."
  • Molecular mechanisms of salivary gland destruction in patients with Sjögren's Syndrome U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health PubMed.gov (abstract in English / full article is in Japanese)

Multiple system atrophy (MSA)

Cynthia A. Lockley on

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurological disorder that impairs your body's involuntary (autonomic) functions, including blood pressure, heart rate, bladder function and digestion. Formerly called Shy-Drager syndrome, the condition shares many Parkinson's disease-like symptoms, such as slowness of movement, muscle rigidity and poor balance.

Multiple system atrophy is a degenerative disease that develops in adulthood, usually in the 50s or 60s, and affects more men than women. The condition progresses gradually and eventually leads to death.

Treatment for MSA includes medications and lifestyle changes to help manage symptoms.

  • Multiple system atrophy (MSA) Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
  • Multiple System Atrophy Fact Sheet from the National Institutes for Health (NIH), National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
  • Multiple System Atrophy   Cerebellar Subtype (MSA-C) is a rare disease that causes areas deep in the brain, just above the spinal cord, to shrink (atrophy). MSA-C used to be known as olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA).  New
  • Multiple System Atrophy   Parkinsonian Type (MSA-P) is a rare condition that causes symptoms similar to Parkinson disease. However, people with MSA-P have more widespread damage to the part of the nervous system that controls important functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and sweating. The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institutes of Health (NJH).  Updated
  • The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition® is a positive beacon of hope standing up to a little known, rare, insidious disorder. Made up of dedicated volunteers, The MSA Coalition has a primary purpose of assisting researchers to find a cure. In the meantime, The Coalition also provides much needed patient and caregiver support, educational resources, and advocacy to create awareness and to fight for issues important to the MSA community.