SICCA SYNDROME Meaning and
Definition
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Sicca syndrome, also known as Sjögren's syndrome, is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily affects the body's moisture-producing glands, leading to symptoms of dryness in various parts of the body. The syndrome is characterized by two main symptoms: dry eyes (known as keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and dry mouth (known as xerostomia).
The condition occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the moisture-producing glands, primarily targeting the salivary and lacrimal glands. This immune response leads to a reduced production of tears and saliva, resulting in the hallmark symptoms of dryness in the eyes and mouth. Additionally, sicca syndrome can also affect other parts of the body, leading to dryness in the nose, throat, skin, and vaginal tissues.
Aside from dryness, patients may experience other symptoms, such as fatigue, joint pain, and general discomfort. In some cases, sicca syndrome may be associated with other autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus.
Although there is currently no cure for sicca syndrome, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and improving quality of life. This may include the use of artificial tears or ointments to alleviate dry eyes, and saliva substitutes or medications to enhance saliva production. In severe cases, immunosuppressive medications may be prescribed to reduce immune system activity and prevent further damage to the glands.
Common Misspellings for SICCA SYNDROME
- aicca syndrome
- zicca syndrome
- xicca syndrome
- dicca syndrome
- eicca syndrome
- wicca syndrome
- succa syndrome
- sjcca syndrome
- skcca syndrome
- socca syndrome
- s9cca syndrome
- s8cca syndrome
- sixca syndrome
- sivca syndrome
- sifca syndrome
- sidca syndrome
- sicxa syndrome
- sicva syndrome
- sicfa syndrome
- sicda syndrome
Etymology of SICCA SYNDROME
The term Sicca Syndrome comes from the Latin word sicca, which means dryness or dry. The condition is characterized by dryness of the eyes and mouth, hence the name Sicca Syndrome.
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