Is Your Dry Throat Sjögren's Disease? Symptoms and Treatment

We all get a dry throat from time to time. If it lingers, it could point to an underlying condition, such as Sjögren's disease, an autoimmune condition that’s more common than you may expect. Here’s how to tell if Sjögren's or something else is causing that chronic dry throat, as well as some of the best dry throat remedies.

If your throat feels scratchy and uncomfortable no matter how much water or tea you drink, you’re probably looking for answers and, more importantly, a way to soothe it. A dry throat that persists for longer than two weeks often indicates an underlying condition, possibly Sjögren's disease. Ahead, we’ll dive into how to identify when a dry throat is a symptom of Sjögren's or another health condition and how to treat a dry throat when hydration alone doesn’t cut it.

What is Sjögren's disease?

“Sjögren's disease is a serious autoimmune disease that’s much more common than most people realize,” says Katherine Morland Hammitt, the Vice President of Medical & Scientific Affairs at the Sjögren's Foundation, “It can be very debilitating, leading to dry eyes, dry mouth, and dryness throughout the body. If you think of how much humans are made of moisture, it’s a big part of who we are.”

We all have moisture-producing glands, such as the salivary glands in the mouth and tear ducts in the eyes. Sjögren's disease affects both these gland types, resulting in fewer tears and saliva. “The dry throat condition of Sjögren's disease develops because the affected patients produce less saliva,” says Shawn George, DO, an internist at Yorktown Health.

Other common symptoms of Sjögren's include:

• Dry cough
• Dry nose
• Dry skin
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Muscle pain
• Rashes on feet, arms, and/or hands
• Tingling or numb hands and/or feet
• Vaginal dryness

About 50% of those with Sjögren's disease have extraglandular symptoms (meaning symptoms that aren’t associated with decreased activity in the salivary glands and tear ducts). Some will also develop complications, such as gastrointestinal problems, heart conditions, kidney problems, and lung conditions. Sjögren's also increases someone’s risk for lymphoma.

“Not every patient is alike and it complicates diagnosis, management, and clinical trials,” explains Hammitt, “One person may have heart complications while another person has kidney problems or GI problems.”

Risk Factors for Sjögren's Disease

While it’s sometimes mislabeled as a rare disease, over four million Americans have Sjögren's, meaning it impacts more people than autoimmune diseases we hear about often, like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

Speaking of other autoimmune conditions, Sjögren's disease occurs alongside autoimmune connective tissue disorders (think: Scleroderma, Rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus) about half the time. The other half of cases appear on their own.

Women develop this disease ten times more often than men. This is most likely due to gender-based differences in hormones and immune system functioning. Sjögren's is most often diagnosed in women over 40, though Hammitt notes the disease is often present years before diagnosis. She explains, “It’s mostly diagnosed in those over 40 because the dryness aspect of Sjögren's becomes worse as we age, especially during menopause.”

When a dry throat could signal Sjögren's disease

If someone experiences a chronic dry throat that isn’t relieved by drinking water or an at-home dry throat remedy, a doctor may assess them for Sjögren's disease, especially if there are other symptoms. When Sjögren's disease is to blame, a dry throat will be accompanied by other symptoms, especially dry eyes, difficulty swallowing, and dry mouth. Dr. George adds that many patients he sees with Sjögren's disease often note joint discomfort and muscle pains.

Other common causes of dry throat

Sjögren's disease isn’t the only condition linked to a chronic dry throat. Dehydration from inadequate fluid intake or dry indoor air, for example, can both cause a dry throat as well. Medications with drying side effects, like antihistamines, chemotherapy, and antidepressants, mouthing breathing, or snoring when asleep can also dry out the mouth and throat.

Other cases of dry throat stem from underlying medical conditions. Alongside Sjögren's disease, conditions that may cause a dry throat include:

• Allergies: Postnasal drip from seasonal allergies can cause a dry throat.
• Acid reflux or GERD: When stomach content flows back up into the throat, we experience a heartburn sensation stemming from acid reflux (or GERD when chronic). While heartburn is the most common symptom, dry throat can occur as well.
• Chronic sinusitis or rhinitis: Like allergies, a sinus infection (chronic sinusitis) or chronic inflammation in the nose (rhinitis) can cause postnasal drip and a dry throat.
• Diabetes: Diabetes is one of the most common causes of high blood sugar. When blood sugar levels rise, it impacts saliva production, potentially resulting in a dry throat or mouth.
• Laryngopharyngeal reflux: Also referred to as silent reflux, laryngopharyngeal reflux is when stomach acid travels back up, irritating the voice box and throat.
• Thyroid issues: The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the throat that produces hormones that regulate metabolism, among other bodily functions. When the thyroid doesn’t produce enough hormones (a condition known as hypothyroidism), the body produces less saliva, meaning the throat and mouth may be drier.
• Viral or bacterial infections: Certain infections can cause the throat to dry up, similar to chronic sinusitis or allergies.
• Certain neurological conditions: Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease may interfere with saliva production, resulting in a dry throat.

Diagnosing Sjögren's disease

There isn’t a Sjögren's diagnostic test to take that comes back with a positive or negative result. Instead, a provider will conduct a physical exam, paying particular attention to salivary glands and any signs of autoimmune conditions. Beforehand, they’ll probably ask about your current symptoms and medical history.

When Sjögren's is suspected, a doctor may order additional tests, including:

• Tests to determine if someone produces tears and if their eyes have been damaged by dryness
• Salivary gland imaging or biopsy to measure how much saliva the mouth produces

If you go to a functional medicine provider, they will work to find and treat the root cause, which often involves extra tests for:

• Specific antibodies associated with Sjögren's disease (like Ro/SSA and La/SSB)
• Nutrient status, especially related to Vitamin D, omega-3, and glutathione
• Enviomnetal toxins

Since functional providers take a whole-person approach, they may be better suited to create a treatment plan that aligns with someone’s symptoms, overall health, and lifestyle.

How to treat dry throat

When researching how to get rid of a dry throat, you’ll find two treatment types: cause-specific remedies (we’ll get onto the ones for Sjögren's later on) and general tips. Some of the latter include:

• Increase fluid intake: Dehydration is a common cause of dry throat; make sure you stay hydrated throughout the day.
• Use a humidifier: Especially if you spend a lot of time in dry indoor environments, like many of our homes or office spaces, you may want to invest in a humidifier.
• Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco: These three products can increase the dryness in your throat.
• Suck on sugar-free lozenges or gum: Lozenges and gum help stimulate saliva, relieving dry mouths and throats.
• Try nasal breathing strips: These strips reduce mouth breathing, and they’re best applied at night.

Treatment options for Sjögren's disease

“Unfortunately we don’t have a single FDA-approved therapy for Sjögren's,” says Hammitt.  She adds that currently, there are five potential treatments in clinical trials. Fortunately, there are some treatments to manage symptoms, including:

• Artificial tears
• Eye drops, ointments, and other moisture replacement therapists for dry eyes
• Saliva substitutes or stimulants like pilocarpine
• Lubricating gels for dry eyes

Hammitt adds a warning that when purchasing eye drops and other eye products, avoid ones with preservatives which may irritate if used repetitively.

In severe cases, such as when Sjögren's disease causes joint pain or fatigue, immunosuppressive or anti-inflammatory medications may help. For example, Rituximab, a medication used for autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and idiopathic inflammatory myopathies, may be used off-label to treat severe cases of Sjögren's disease.

Since Sjögren's disease is an autoimmune condition, lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation overall may help manage some symptoms. These include eating an anti-inflammatory diet, getting enough omega 3 and vitamin D, decreasing stress, improving sleep quality, and addressing any gut health concerns.

Dr. George adds that a dry mouth and throat increase the risk of dental infections. As a result, he recommends those with Sjögren's disease practice consistent oral care:

• Brush after every meal
• Brush with a soft enamel toothbrush
• Floss at least once per day
• Use fluoride toothpaste
• Schedule regular dental check-ups and cleanings

When to see a doctor

When someone’s dry throat persists, there are over ten medical conditions that could be the cause, not to mention the environmental and lifestyle factors. Because of this variety, see a primary care provider for a dry throat that lasts more than two weeks, especially if over-the-counter remedies aren’t providing relief.

Key takeaways

• Sjögren's disease is a common cause: This common disease is often underdiagnosed. Those with this disease may experience dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, and other autoimmune symptoms, as well as a dry throat.
• Treatment is twofold: When treating a chronic dry throat, there’s two types of treatment. The first is remedies for the actual dry throat (hydration, humidifier, avoiding certain foods), and the second addresses why any underlying conditions and the root causes.
• Diagnosis is essential: Since so many conditions are linked to a dry throat, a diagnosis is essential before starting treatment. Any primary care provider can do so, though a functional provider will often run more comprehensive tests, addressing any symptoms from a whole-person approach.
• A functional care provider, like Parsley Health, can help you identify the causes of a dry mouth and throat and create a treatment plan that considers symptoms, the root cause, and your lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

How did you know you had Sjögrens?

Those with Sjögren's disease often have a few distinct symptoms, mainly dry eyes, dry mouth, and a dry throat. They may also experience joint pain or discomfort, fatigue, dry skin, and other symptoms related to Sjögren's.

Is Sjögren's a critical illness?

Sjögren's is not life threatening and most with the condition will have a normal life expectancy. That said, it can impact overall quality of life and increase the risk of lymphoma, as well as certain gastrointestinal disorders, nerve disorders, and lung diseases.

Can I live a normal life with Sjögren's?

Most people with Sjögren's will live a normal life, especially after finding treatments that manage symptoms.

What is a dry throat a symptom of?

A dry throat can be a symptom of various conditions, including Sjögren's disease, allergies, chronic sinusitis, and diabetes. Dehydration, snoring, mouth breathing, or environmental irritants may also dry out the throat.

Why is my throat so dry even after drinking water?

If your throat is dry after drinking water, dehydration probably isn’t causing your symptoms. Instead, it could be an underlying condition, such as Sjögren's disease, or an environmental irritant.