Carrie Ann Inaba, the judge from Dancing with the Stars, has revealed she has been privately managing Sjogren’s disease for years. The 58-year-old dancer and television personality was recently hospitalized after falling ill mid-flight to New York City.

Medical Emergency and Initial Symptoms

Inaba’s illness was initially mistaken for food poisoning. She experienced a cold sweat, dizziness, and numbness in her arms, leading to her hospitalization last week. She explained that she has been silently battling Sjogren’s disease for decades.

Diagnosis and Early Signs

Inaba first noticed symptoms, such as chronic dry eyes, during her younger years. After years of misdiagnosis and consultations with multiple specialists, she received a formal diagnosis of Sjogren’s disease in 2013.

Understanding Sjogren’s Disease

Sjogren’s disease is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can affect multiple body systems. It is estimated that four million Americans are living with this condition, with women being disproportionately affected.

Varied and Challenging Symptoms

The disease manifests differently in each individual, making diagnosis difficult. Inaba’s experience began with dry eyes and progressed to neck and shoulder pain, and debilitating fatigue.

Other common symptoms include dry mouth, brain fog, anxiety, swollen glands, skin rashes, fevers, night sweats, and nerve-related sensations like numbness or tingling. Untreated, Sjogren’s can lead to complications affecting vital organs like the lungs and kidneys.

Patients can experience a wide range of symptoms – up to 48 different symptoms in a year, according to data from Sjout for Sjogren’s.

Management and Advocacy

Inaba manages her condition through a holistic approach, focusing on hydration, maintaining a moist environment, and incorporating practices like meditation, Reiki, and bodywork to manage pain. She emphasizes the importance of listening to her body, prioritizing rest, and avoiding unnecessary exposure to crowds.

Her primary message is to validate the reality of Sjogren’s disease, which is often an ‘invisible illness.’ She urges those experiencing symptoms to meticulously track their warning signs, advocate for proper medical care, and seek support from a community.

Inaba is actively involved with the Sjout for Sjogren’s campaign, aiming to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and build a supportive network for those affected. Currently, there is no FDA-approved cure, so management focuses on alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life.

She stresses the need for respect and understanding for those living with this complex autoimmune disease.