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FOR SJOGREN'S...SIMPLIFIED
Key Concepts
Sjogren's is complex. Learning about it shouldn't be.
Introduction
​To increase your chances of successfully advocating for care for Sjogren's, Sjogren's Advocate describes Sjogren's disease using accurate medical and scientific language.
But the technical language and volume of information on Sjogren's Advocate can be overwhelming.
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This page describes Sjogren's using simpler language and directs you to important information and resources on Sjogren's Advocate (of which you may be unaware) that will help you more successfully advocate for care.
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Most of the entries below are also posts on the Facebook page* and Instagram account for Sjogren's Advocate. The most recent entry in this series will be at the top of this page. ​
Follow us: @sjogrensadvocate*
*We're currently experiencing issues with the Facebook page and it is unavailable. Thank you for your patience as we work to resolve the issues.
SELF-ADVOCACY RESOURCES
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Heart Health and Sjogren's Disease blog post by the Sjogren's Foundation
Sjogren's Increases Heart Disease Risk - published 03.22.2025
Living with Sjogren’s increases your risk of heart disease, including heart attacks, strokes and pulmonary embolism.
Although Primary Care Practitioners (PCPs) are generally responsible for monitoring and managing heart disease risk, they often fail to do so in patients with Sjogren's.
Why? Because many PCPs remain unaware that Sjogren’s is a systemic, inflammatory disease that increases your risk of heart disease.
Advocate For Yourself
Use the self-advocacy resources listed above to work with your doctor to reduce your risk of heart disease, a major cause of premature death in Sjogren’s.
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Be Part of the Change, Take the Survey
Dr. Alessia Alunno, a rheumatologist conducting research on Sjogren’s, is currently surveying heart health in people with rheumatic diseases. Sjogren’s is often underrepresented in studies like this. Your participation is crucial to ensure Sjogren's patients are accurately represented. Click here to take her survey. To take the survey in English, click the British flag.
Thank You
If you found this post helpful, please consider supporting Sjogren's Advocate by donating to Bexi's GoFundMe Campaign.
SELF-ADVOCACY RESOURCES
Sjogren's is Systemic - published 03.01.2025
Most doctors and patients know that Sjogren’s causes dry eyes and dry mouth.
But it’s important to understand that Sjogren's is never just about dryness. Sjogren's can affect almost any part of the body, not just the moisture-producing glands. These other problems, caused directly by Sjogren’s disease and that are beyond dryness, are called “systemic manifestations”.
Finding and treating these systemic manifestations of Sjogren’s early can help slow the progression of the disease, make you feel better, and in some cases, even save your life.
If your doctor believes Sjogren's is mainly dry eyes and mouth, they're likely to miss serious systemic manifestations.
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Updated 04-05-2025