Can lupus affect Salivary Glands?

Can lupus affect Salivary Glands?

When the saliva-producing glands are attacked in Lupus they produce less saliva. Lupus can also be associated with dryness from other secreting glands such as the eyes. When all three glands are involved the condition is known as Sjogren’s syndrome – a very unpleasant condition affecting the quality of life.

What are symptoms of systemic lupus erythematosus?

People with SLE may experience a variety of symptoms that include fatigue, skin rashes, fevers, and pain or swelling in the joints. Among some adults, having a period of SLE symptoms—called flares—may happen every so often, sometimes even years apart, and go away at other times—called remission.

How does systemic lupus erythematosus affect the eyes?

People with lupus can get retinal vasculitis, which limits the blood supply to the retina, which can have significant effects on vision. The eye then attempts to repair itself, but when the retina tries to repair itself it forms new blood vessels which can form in areas of the eye that can impair vision.

What are the symptoms of a lacrimal gland infection?

Symptoms of Lacrimal Gland inflammation include: 1 Discomfort in the region of the tear ducts. 2 Dry eyes. 3 Excessive discharge or tearing. 4 Inflammation of the outer portion of the upper lid. 5 Tenderness and redness of the outer portion of the upper lid. 6 (more items)

Can you have lymphoma of the lacrimal gland?

Mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma of the lacrimal glands has been reported in only two patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in the literature. We describe a 41-year-old female with SLE who had multiple relapses and remissions of her disease during the last 20 years and developed a right eyelid swelling.

Where are the lacrimal glands located in the eye?

Lacrimal glands are the tear producing glands located above each eyeball. They continuously supply tear fluid that gets wiped across your eye surface each time you blink your eyelids.

What causes the secretion of Tears in the lacrimal gland?

However, in some instances such as in lacrimation reflex, exposure to a gas which induces tears, or when an individual is in an emotional state, there is an increase in the secretion of tears. This results in an overflow over the lipid barrier on the edge of the eyelids and onto the cheeks.