What is Venus Williams illness?

Sjögren's syndrome hit the headlines when US tennis player Venus Williams declared she was suffering from it.

What does Venus Williams suffer from?

She added that she focused on her mental health following her diagnosis with Sjögren's syndrome— an autoimmune disease caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's cells and tissues.

Is lupus similar to Sjogren's?

People with primary SS and people with lupus have certain similar disease symptoms, including arthritis, skin rash, and kidney disease. Increased levels of antinuclear antibodies are also seen in both diseases.

Can sjogrens be cured?

There's currently no cure for Sjögren's syndrome, but there are several treatments that can help, such as: eye drops that keep your eyes wet (artificial tears) sprays, lozenges (medicated sweets) and gels that keep your mouth wet (saliva substitutes) medicine that helps your body produce more tears and saliva.

Does Venus have lupus?

In 2011 Williams revealed to the world she had the syndrome, which forced her to withdraw during that year's U.S. Open. According to the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation, around four million Americans have the illness, making it the second most common autoimmune disease after rheumatoid arthritis, and ahead of lupus.

Venus Williams US Open 2011: Tennis Star Explains Leaving Tournament due to Sjogren's Syndrome

What happens if you leave Sjogren's untreated?

Sjogren's comes with serious complications if left untreated, including: an increased risk of lymphoma and multiple myeloma. oral yeast infections. dental cavities.

Is Sjogren's syndrome a form of lupus?

Sjogren's syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition that often accompanies other autoimmune conditions. Some of these include lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It is estimated that up to 15 to 18 percent of people living with lupus also have Sjogren's syndrome.

What foods to avoid if you have Sjogren's syndrome?

How do you get Sjogren's?

Scientists aren't certain why some people develop Sjogren's syndrome. Certain genes put people at higher risk of the disorder, but it appears that a triggering mechanism — such as infection with a particular virus or strain of bacteria — is also necessary.

What triggers a Sjogren's flare?

Autoimmune diseases such as Sjogren's syndrome are highly likely to be triggered by environmental factors such as pollution, infections, certain medications, diet, and allergy-causing agents. Make a note of potential environmental triggers, and try to steer clear of them as much as possible.

What's worse Sjogren's or lupus?

The prognosis with SS is generally better than that of other autoimmune diseases such as lupus. Patients with just exocrine gland involvement do not appear to have increased mortality.

What organs does Sjogren's affect?

Sjögren's syndrome can also affect other body organ systems. These organs include the skin, joints, muscles, blood, lung, heart, kidney, and nerves.

What does a sjogrens rash look like?

Sjogren's syndrome patients often develop a purple-to-red rash that does not lighten when pressure is applied. They may also show purpura (rashes with blood spots) that's indicative of vasculitis (inflammation of blood vessels). If you observe any of these rashes on your skin, consult a dermatologist.

Does Sjogren's affect kidneys?

Sjögren's syndrome is typically associated with a lymphocytic and plasmacytic infiltrate in the salivary, parotid, and lacrimal glands, leading to a sicca syndrome. This immune process can also affect nonexocrine organs, including the kidneys, producing an interstitial nephritis and defects in tubular function.

Can sjogrens make you gain weight?

Does Sjögren's syndrome cause weight gain? Sjögren's syndrome doesn't cause weight gain. However, medications (like steroids) used to treat symptoms may cause weight gain. Also, there are conditions like hypothyroidism that may be linked to Sjögren's syndrome that can result in unintended weight gain.

Why does Sjogren's cause fatigue?

Because it is an autoimmune disorder, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's cells and tissues. This causes damage to parts of the body, such as joints, thyroids, kidneys, lungs, skin, and nerves. In addition to dry tissue and damage to organs, patients also have to fight severe fatigue.

What does Sjogren's pain feel like?

Your joints may be painful and swollen due to inflammation, or you might feel that various parts of your body, such as your muscles, are achy and tender. Some people with this condition have headaches and migraines.

What is the life expectancy of a person with Sjogren syndrome?

Life expectancy and primary Sjogren's syndrome

Life expectancy in primary Sjogren's syndrome is comparable to that of the general population, but it can take up to seven years to correctly diagnose Sjogren's. Although life expectancy is not typically affected, patients' quality of life is, and considerably.

Is sjogrens a serious disease?

If Sjögren's syndrome isn't treated appropriately, significant, long-term complications could result that affect your eyes, mouth, lungs, kidneys, liver or lymph nodes — complications including blindness, significant dental destruction and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Can Sjogren's cause death?

pSS is not associated with an increase in all-cause mortality as compared with the general population. However, a subset of patients with extraglandular involvement, vasculitis, hypocomplementaemia and cryoglobulinaemia may be at increased risk of mortality and require close follow-up.

Can I eat eggs with sjogrens?

Avoid foods that can trigger inflammation

refined oils rich in omega-6 oils. refined carbohydrates. red meat. foods that cause allergies such as milk, eggs, wheat gluten, and peanuts.

What does hydroxychloroquine do for sjogrens?

Hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial, has been widely used to treat autoimmune conditions like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjögren's. It works to modulate the immune system, which is overly active in these disorders, and also seems to reduce lipid levels and protect against blood clots and diabetes.

What does a Sjogren's tongue look like?

a smooth, red tongue. a change in how food tastes. dry, sore and cracked skin at the corners of your lips. problems such as tooth decay, gum disease, mouth ulcers, and oral thrush (a fungal infection that can cause a raw, red or white tongue)

What is the best treatment for Sjogren's syndrome?

Treat systemwide symptoms.

Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), a drug designed to treat malaria, is often helpful in treating Sjogren's syndrome. Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as methotrexate (Trexall), also might be prescribed.

Is Sjogren's inherited?

A person who develops Sjögren's syndrome most likely inherits the risk from one or both of their parents, but in addition, there's been some sort of environmental impact—such as a viral or bacterial infection—that causes it to become active.