Product Review

Sjogren's syndrome (pronounced show-grins) strikes 2 to 4 million Americans, mostly women. Often a debilitating illness, Sjogren's 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 Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook is a comprehensive and authoritative guide, produced by the Sjogren's 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 Sjogren's 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 Sjogren's), and provides an extensive discussion of how Sjogren's 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 Sjogren's, much can be done to alleviate the suffering of individuals with this syndrome. The New Sjogren's Syndrome Handbook offers everything patients need to know to cope with this disease. And because Sjogren's is greatly under-diagnosed, this handbook is a particularly valuable resource for all healthcare professionals.