About 90 percent of people who live with Sjögren’s disease have stomach or intestinal issues. If this is you, then your doctor may also diagnose you with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS.

While the two conditions aren’t the same, they have some interesting connections and overlaps. Here’s what you need to know about Sjögren’s and IBS so you can have important conversations with your Sjögren’s specialist about your healthcare needs.

What Is IBS?

IBS is a long-term condition that affects the stomach and gastrointestinal tract. People with IBS may have symptoms like:

• Bloating
• Gas
• Stomach cramps
• Constipation
• Diarrhea

The way your stool, or poop, looks may change, too. Some people notice that they feel like they haven’t pooped enough or that there’s extra mucus in their stool, as well.

No one knows exactly what causes IBS. According to Mayo Clinic, you’re more likely to develop IBS if you’re under 50 years old, female, have mental health issues like anxiety or depression, or have a family history of the condition.

How Sjögren’s Disease and IBS Are Connected

Sjögren’s disease and IBS are connected in several different ways. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Sjögren’s Can Cause Similar Symptoms to IBS

Although Sjögren’s disease is known for causing dry eyes and a dry mouth, it can affect other parts of the body, too. The digestive tract is one of these areas. Sjögren’s can affect it in several ways.

First of all, the dryness associated with Sjögren’s in the mouth can extend to your digestive tract. This may slow your body's digestion, which can lead to constipation. If your digestive system slows down enough (called gastroparesis), you can experience many other symptoms similar to IBS, like bloating and abdominal pain.

Additionally, nerve problems (neuropathy) associated with Sjögren’s may affect your gut. These issues can slow the digestive process. This usually happens when the immune system attacks the nerves that control the bowels, making it harder for them to work normally.

Because IBS may also be linked to nerve problems, it can be hard to tell what’s behind your symptoms. Your doctor can help sort it out.

2. Sjögren’s and IBS Share Links to Other Conditions

As was noted above, IBS is more likely to occur in people who are living with mental health conditions, like anxiety and depression. These are also more common in people diagnosed with Sjögren’s, though researchers don’t always know if they came before or after that diagnosis. It’s possible that the stress of living with Sjögren’s can lead to these conditions, rather than the other way around.

Both Sjögren’s and IBS are also connected to other autoimmune disorders. Sjögren’s is most closely connected to:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Autoimmune thyroid conditions
• Systemic sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis

IBS is more common in people with other autoimmune diseases in general, particularly rheumatoid arthritis and spondylarthritis with psoriasis. Researchers don’t know exactly what leads to this connection.

3. Sjögren’s and IBS Are Both More Common in Women

Just as IBS is more common in women than men, Sjögren’s is also more common in women. According to the Sjögren’s Foundation, 9 out of every 10 people diagnosed with Sjögren’s are women, though the number of men receiving diagnoses is rising. Although both conditions are more common in women, they can occur in people of all genders.

4. Sjögren’s and IBS Can Significantly Affect Your Daily Life

Both Sjögren’s disease and IBS can make daily life harder in similar, serious ways. They can affect your ability to do the things you love or need to do, like spending time with family and friends, working regular hours, and taking part in leisure activities.

A survey conducted by the Sjögren’s Foundation found that the following symptoms affected quality of life the most:

• Dry eyes and mouth
• Fatigue
• Joint and muscle pain
• Discomfort in the eyes
• Brain fog
• Sleeping difficulties

Understandably, these symptoms can be disruptive to daily life. Similarly, IBS symptoms can disrupt daily life and make it harder to do the things you want or need to do.

5. The Same Lifestyle Changes Can Help Manage Both Sjögren’s and IBS

Some lifestyle changes may help with both Sjögren’s disease and IBS. The changes are not exactly the same for each condition, but some may ease symptoms of both.

Managing Stress

When it comes to IBS, managing stress is key. Stress is also linked to Sjögren’s, although that connection seems to be more complex. Researchers still need to learn more about how stress affects Sjögren’s. Even so, lowering stress may help with Sjögren’s symptoms, too. Meditation and yoga can help reduce stress.

Making Dietary Changes

Dietary changes may help with both conditions, too, although the exact changes may be different. When it comes to IBS, your doctor may recommend that you limit gluten, certain types of carbohydrates, alcohol, carbonated drinks, and any foods that cause you to have a lot of gas. They may also tell you to add more high-fiber foods to your diet.

For Sjögren’s, some doctors recommend an anti-inflammatory diet. This involves eating healthy fats, vegetables, fruits, organic meat, and anti-inflammatory spices. These changes may overlap with some of those needed for IBS.

Eating more fiber is one recommendation your doctor may make for both conditions. A registered dietitian can help you figure out how to eat well for Sjögren’s and IBS.

Getting Physical Activity

Physical activity can help you manage both conditions. For IBS, it can help you manage stress and stimulate healthy bowel contractions, which may help you feel better. For Sjögren’s, those who were more active reported a higher quality of life.

6. Coordinating Care Can Help You Feel Better

Getting care for both IBS and Sjögren’s can help you feel better, and coordinating that care can help even more. You may be able to get care for both conditions from the same doctor. If you need different providers to manage your conditions, you can ask your physicians to work together to help you get the care you need.

Medications for Sjögren’s and IBS don’t overlap. Still, by working together, your rheumatologist and other providers (such as a gastroenterologist) can make sure that anything you’re taking to treat one condition doesn’t make the other worse. They can also help you figure out if any of your current medications are worsening one or both conditions. If there are any treatments that can help with both conditions now or in the future, they can help you get them.

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On MySjögrensTeam, people share their experiences with Sjögren’s, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

What gastrointestinal symptoms do you experience with Sjögren’s? Let others know in the comments below.