CosmicHotspur
Better a wag than a WAG
- Aug 14, 2006
- 51,069
- 22,383
Whether you like the Williams sisters or not, and they certainly receive some harsh criticism and plenty of banter, I was quite saddened reading this article today:
Tennis star Venus Williams has spoken out about the autoimmune disease that caused her to drop out of the US Open yesterday, just minutes before she was due to go on court.
Venus was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome two weeks ago, after being misdiagnosed for years.
In an exclusive TV interview with Good Morning America she said: "For years I felt that I didn't have enough stamina and then, four years ago, I felt like I was not getting enough air but I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma.
"The medicine for asthma never worked."
Sjogren's syndrome, which occurs when white blood cells attack healthy organs instead of diseased areas of the body, is difficult to diagnose. But as Venus's symptoms progressed, doctors finally got to the bottom of the problem. She now suffers from fatigue, swollen joints, dry eyes, dry mouth and heavy limbs.
And although there is no cure for the condition, Venus has said that she feels positive about the future and looks forward to returning to tennis.
"My normal might not be everyone else's normal but I feel like now I can get better.
"It makes me want to get up and fight harder every day."
In her official statement released by the organisers of the US Open tournament she said: "I enjoyed playing my first match here, and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to.
"I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon."
Dr Simon Bowman, official spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK told AOL Lifestyle: "Sjogren's syndrome is a little-known but potentially severe autoimmune condition affecting up to half a million people in the UK.
"The disease can cause extreme fatigue and joint pain and naturally there is speculation as to whether this is the end of Venus Williams's career in tennis. In Sjogren's syndrome the body attacks its own tissues, particularly the tear glands and salivary glands, causing dryness of the mouth and eyes, and also extreme fatigue, and can affect other internal organs.
"At 31, Venus is relatively young to be diagnosed with this condition, typically affecting women over the age of 40. She would need to get the condition under control before she can re-evaluate her career, but there are treatments available. It's too early to say whether this will be the end of her career and whether she is likely to compete at such a high level of tennis again, as constantly fighting fatigue will have an impact on any training regimes."
Arthritis Research UK is currently investing £1million on a UK-wide five-year clinical trial on Sjogren's syndrome. If you are worried about the symptoms you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. For further information on the condition, Arthritis Research UK's patient booklet on Sjogren's syndrome is available at www.arthritisresearch.org
Tennis star Venus Williams has spoken out about the autoimmune disease that caused her to drop out of the US Open yesterday, just minutes before she was due to go on court.
Venus was diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome two weeks ago, after being misdiagnosed for years.
In an exclusive TV interview with Good Morning America she said: "For years I felt that I didn't have enough stamina and then, four years ago, I felt like I was not getting enough air but I was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma.
"The medicine for asthma never worked."
Sjogren's syndrome, which occurs when white blood cells attack healthy organs instead of diseased areas of the body, is difficult to diagnose. But as Venus's symptoms progressed, doctors finally got to the bottom of the problem. She now suffers from fatigue, swollen joints, dry eyes, dry mouth and heavy limbs.
And although there is no cure for the condition, Venus has said that she feels positive about the future and looks forward to returning to tennis.
"My normal might not be everyone else's normal but I feel like now I can get better.
"It makes me want to get up and fight harder every day."
In her official statement released by the organisers of the US Open tournament she said: "I enjoyed playing my first match here, and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to.
"I am thankful I finally have a diagnosis and am now focused on getting better and returning to the court soon."
Dr Simon Bowman, official spokesperson for Arthritis Research UK told AOL Lifestyle: "Sjogren's syndrome is a little-known but potentially severe autoimmune condition affecting up to half a million people in the UK.
"The disease can cause extreme fatigue and joint pain and naturally there is speculation as to whether this is the end of Venus Williams's career in tennis. In Sjogren's syndrome the body attacks its own tissues, particularly the tear glands and salivary glands, causing dryness of the mouth and eyes, and also extreme fatigue, and can affect other internal organs.
"At 31, Venus is relatively young to be diagnosed with this condition, typically affecting women over the age of 40. She would need to get the condition under control before she can re-evaluate her career, but there are treatments available. It's too early to say whether this will be the end of her career and whether she is likely to compete at such a high level of tennis again, as constantly fighting fatigue will have an impact on any training regimes."
Arthritis Research UK is currently investing £1million on a UK-wide five-year clinical trial on Sjogren's syndrome. If you are worried about the symptoms you should seek medical advice as soon as possible. For further information on the condition, Arthritis Research UK's patient booklet on Sjogren's syndrome is available at www.arthritisresearch.org
