The New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook

About this book

Sjogrens syndrome (pronounced show-grins) strikes 2 to 4 million Americans mostly women. Often a debilitating illness Sjogrens is not a rare disease--in fact it is now said to be the most common autoimmune disorder--but it is still little known even in the medical community. Women have gone from specialist to specialist for years before receiving the proper diagnosis. The New Sjogrens Syndrome Handbook is a comprehensive and authoritative guide produced by the Sjogrens Syndrome Foundation and its medical advisors. It has been extensively revised from their original self-published edition which sold 20 000 copies through their newsletter. Designed for Sjogrens sufferers and for physicians it provides readers with the best medical and practical information available on this disorder. The book describes the symptoms which can range from dry eyes and dry mouth to hoarseness and difficulty in eating to chronic fatigue and joint pain that can seriously impair quality of life. It offers complete information about diagnosis (there are blood tests that can be used to help diagnose Sjogrens) and provides an extensive discussion of how Sjogrens affects the various organ systems of the body including the kidneys blood vessels lungs liver pancreas and brain. The book also discusses treatment options (such as moisture replacement therapy) and offers tips for daily living. While there is no cure for Sjogrens much can be done to alleviate the suffering of individuals with this syndrome. The New Sjogrens Syndrome Handbook offers everything patients need to know to cope with this disease. And because Sjogrens is greatly under-diagnosed this handbook is a particularly valuable resource for all healthcare professionals.