U.S. News & World Report discusses the symptoms, treatments and how to live well with Sjögren's syndrome according to experts including HSS rheumatologist Lindsay S. Lally, MD.

In addition to physical exam findings, a rheumatologist will order lab work to measure markers that can indicate Sjögren's syndrome. Seventy percent of people with Sjögren's syndrome will have a positive blood test for the antibody SS-A, cited Dr. Lally.

Immunosuppressives are a type of drug used to treat the condition. Rituximab, a type of medication that targets a type of white blood cell called B-cells, has recently been studied and has had good results for some Sjögren's symptoms, said Dr. Lally.

Dr. Lally offered tips for better living with Sjögren's, advising patients to provide their physician with a list of medications to determine if any being used are making dryness worse (e.g., antihistamines or certain sleep aids). She suggested making environmental changes to lessen the effects of dryness, such as using a humidifier at night and wearing sunglasses to protect the eyes, particularly on windy days. Dr. Lally  also counseled to avoid smoking or getting exposed to secondhand smoke .”Smoking can make dry eyes and mouth worse,” she noted.

Read the full article at Health.usnews.com.