Venus Williams' Wimbledon loss is being put down to the autoimmune disease she first revealed she had at the 2011 US Open.

Sjogren's syndrome can leave her feeling lethargic even when she has rested and eaten well and treated her body well.

Arthritish Research UK spokesperson, Dr Simon Bowman explains about the condition:

“Sjögren’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 it looks like it may have played a large part in Venus Williams’ early exit from Wimbledon this week.
 
In Sjögren’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.
 
The condition typically affects women over the age of 40, so at 32 years old Venus is relatively young to be affected.  It’s too early to speculate whether this may be the end of her career as there are effective treatments available to get the condition under control. Constantly fighting fatigue will have an impact on training regimes but from her comments this week it seems she is determined to manage her condition to continue playing sport.
 
“Arthritis Research UK is currently investing £1m on a UK wide clinical five-year trial on Sjögren’s syndrome. If anyone is worried about the symptoms they should seek medical advice as soon as possible.  For further information on the condition, Arthritis Research UK’s patient booklet on Sjögren’s syndrome is available at www.arthritisresearchuk.org”

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  1. by Meghan 28th Jun 2012 16:10

    I too struggle with Sjogren's Syndrome, and I am 28 years old. The disease not only causes arthritis pain, fatigue, and dryness, but I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia (muscle/nerve pai... Read More

  2. by joni stack 29th Jun 2012 01:11

    Meghan; you just told my story in part. I am 56 and was diagnosed last year with Sjogren's. I have battled this for many years and it always was left with fibromyalgia until I found a ... Read More

  3. by Janette 29th Jun 2012 13:56

    I too have an auto immune disease. What started out as rheumatoid arthritis has now escalated into mixed connective tissue disease (included in this is Osteo Malacia). I don't get too ... Read More

  4. by sjogrens babe 30th Jun 2012 23:30

    sjogrens needs to be mentioned more or people will never understand it! Its so hard to explain why I cant do things that others can do, why sometimes I seem ok and other days seem old b... Read More

  5. by Jamica 07th Jul 2012 16:44

    I do suffer from autoimmune disease with my liver and its hurt but as long as we stay sttrong and positive we can make it throw this!!

  6. by waltzing matilda 07th Jul 2012 20:08

    I was 21 when I began to deal with the monster of Sjogren's. If the treatments were actually effective, no one would still be so desperate for treatment. Misinformation from these art... Read More

  7. by colleen Rogers 08th Jul 2012 21:28

    Sjogren's is a pesky partner for life like the arthritis and "side dishes" that often accompany it.Venus is amazing that she can do what she does. She is a big winner in my dry eyes and... Read More

  8. by Pamela M Davis Adams 10th Jul 2012 18:47

    I have Lupus which is an autoimmune disease since 2006. this disease attack by bones and my kidney. I am currently doing dialysis because my Kidney is not functionly like it should. As ... Read More

  9. by KATHERINE PEACOCK 17th Jul 2012 17:21

    I HAVE BEEN TOLD RECENTLY I HAVE SJOGRENS SYNDROME.I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO TIRED IN MY LIFE,SOME DAYS I DONT WANT TO GET OUT OF BED,I ALSO HAVE DIABETUS,PLUS POLYMYALGIA,ALL OF THESE CAN G... Read More