Tennis star bings attention to Sjogren's

Bonnie - if you have or know of anyone with Sjogren's and would up-to-date information about the disease, one of our clients has put together a Chicago patient seminar on October 15th with the Sjogren's Syndrome Foundation. Please go to sjogrens.org for details.

Tennis star Venus Williams has withdrawn from the U.S. Open because she has been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that can lead to dry eyes, dry mouth and painful joint problems.

Sjogren's (pronounced "show-grins") is caused when white blood cells, the body's natural defenders against foreign invaders, start attacking the body's moisture-producing glands as well. This often leaves the mouth parched and the eyes scratchy, as if full of sand. The disease also causes joint pain and swelling, according to the Mayo Clinic.

In rarer, more extreme forms, Sjogren's can damage nerves and kidneys too. It's often associated with other painful autoimmune disorders, like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Nine out of ten patients are women, and most patients develop symptoms after age 40.

Certain antibodies are associated with Sjogren's, but it seems to need a trigger, like a viral or bacterial infection, for the immune system to go awry. Once set off, the system can't really be fixed -- but certain steps can be taken to mitigate the symptoms for the vast majority of patients.