What medical condition does Serena have?

Having experienced blood clots in the past, she had no doubt that she was struggling with a life-threatening pulmonary embolism. The trouble was no one believed her.

What illnesses does Serena Williams have?

For 11 years, Williams had known of her high-risk tendency to blood clots. In 2011, the tennis ace suffered from her first pulmonary embolism. It almost put her on her death bed and forced her to be vigilant about making sure her health history doesn't repeat itself.

What is Serena Williams autoimmune disease?

This disease, which Williams was diagnosed with in 2011, is called Sjögren's syndrome, and it almost ended her tennis career. What is Sjögren's syndrome? Sjögren's is one of the most prevalent autoimmune diseases.

What is Venus Williams chronic illness?

"Sjögren's is a complex and often invisible disease. As a patient, I was misdiagnosed many times and my symptoms got progressively worse to the point where I couldn't play professional tennis anymore.

What was Serena in the hospital for?

Pulmonary embolism is surprisingly common, Adelman said. "I treated three blood clots in the lung today. There are tens of thousands blood clots in the lungs that happen each year in the United States." Williams was likely treated with blood thinners and possibly clot-busting drugs called embolytics.

My Life with Chronic Illness | Venus Williams

How did Serena Williams get a pulmonary embolism?

Now, some background – and this is important because we don't want you to get the idea PE only happens in pregnant women. In 2011, Serena sustained an injury from an accidental cut to her leg. It's reported that following this, she went on to develop a PE.

Did Serena Williams have blood clots in her lungs?

Opening up about the experience in Elle, Williams described her fear at the time. She had suffered blood clots in her lungs in 2010 and had lived in fear that they would return, which they evidently did. She passed out after giving birth to Olympia, which led to her asking the nurse, "When do I start my heparin drip?

How disabling is Sjogren's?

While Sjögren's syndrome initially causes dry eyes and mouth, it can also progress to cause fatigue and wreak havoc on various organs of the body. Severe cases of Sjögren's may qualify Social Security Disability Insurance Program (SSDI) disability benefits.

What is the syndrome of Sjogren?

Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic (long-lasting) autoimmune disorder that happens when the immune system attacks the glands that make moisture in the eyes, mouth, and other parts of the body.

Is Sjogren's syndrome an autoimmune disease?

Sjögren's (pronounced Show-grin's) syndrome is an autoimmune disorder. The body's immune system attacks glands that secrete fluid, such as the tear and saliva glands. The effects of Sjögren's syndrome can be widespread.

Is Sjogren's syndrome life expectancy?

In most people with Sjögren syndrome, dry eyes and dry mouth are the primary features of the disorder, and general health and life expectancy are largely unaffected.

How did I get Sjogren's syndrome?

Causes of Sjögren's syndrome

Sjögren's syndrome is caused by the immune system (the body's defence against infection), damaging healthy parts of the body. This is known as an autoimmune condition. The condition usually affects areas of the body that produce fluids, such as tears and saliva.

Is Sjogren's syndrome a form of lupus?

Sjogren's syndrome is a rare autoimmune condition that often accompanies other autoimmune conditions. Some of these include lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. It is estimated that up to 15 to 18 percent of people living with lupus also have Sjogren's syndrome.

What celebrities have Sjogren's syndrome?

Venus Williams Has Sjögren's Syndrome

“I had issues with Sjögren's for a while, it just wasn't diagnosed,” Williams told Good Morning America.

Can Sjogren's syndrome go into remission?

The damage to salivary glands in Sjogren's syndrome cannot be reversed, but the symptoms can be controlled and, rarely, the disease goes into remission.

How many surgeries has Serena had?

Serena Williams Details Near-Death Birth Experience and 4 Surgeries: It Was 'Excruciating'

What are three signs of Sjogren's syndrome?

Is Sjogren's a serious disease?

Sjogren's is a serious condition, but timely treatment can mean that complications are less likely to develop, and tissue damage is less likely to occur. Once treated, an individual can usually manage the condition well.

What organs does Sjogren's affect?

The disorder can affect the nervous system, muscles, joints, kidneys, lungs, blood vessels, liver, and pancreas. Sjögren's syndrome is a long-lasting disorder that affects females more often than men.

Does Sjogren's cause weight gain?

Sjögren's syndrome doesn't cause weight gain. However, medications (like steroids) used to treat symptoms may cause weight gain. Also, there are conditions like hypothyroidism that may be linked to Sjögren's syndrome that can result in unintended weight gain.

What not to do with Sjogren's?

Individuals who experience severe xerostomia tend to avoid crunchy foods such as raw vegetables, dry or tough foods such as meats and breads, and sticky foods such as peanut butter. Xerostomia can also affect dental health.

Does Sjogren's qualify for Social Security disability?

The SSA lists Sjogren's syndrome as a recognized disability, but people who are diagnosed with the disorder must meet the eligibility criteria in order to qualify for benefits.

What blood thinner does Serena Williams take?

Williams had been on the blood thinner Coumadin, but said that once she discovered that is was "rat poison" she went off of it. Before flying to England, she took an injection of Lovenox, used to prevent deep vein thrombosis, which can lead to blood clots in the lungs.

Why is Serena Williams on blood thinners?

Serena Williams has had a medical history of blood clots in the deep veins (DVT i.e. Deep Vein Thrombosis) and was prescribed blood thinners (anti-coagulants) to prevent abnormal blood clotting.

What blood thinner is Serena Williams on?

(Serena lives in fear of blood clots.) She walked out of the hospital room so her mother wouldn't worry and told the nearest nurse, between gasps, that she needed a CT scan with contrast and IV heparin (a blood thinner) right away.