When Russian hackers accessed confidential medical information stored in the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) database, it led to an unexpected revelation. American tennis superstar Venus Williams suffers from Sjögren’s syndrome, a long-term autoimmune disease often identified by its two most common symptoms: dry eyes and dry mouth.  
 

As reported by the International Business Times, Williams was rightfully disappointed that her private medical data was compromised by hackers. But there was a silver lining. The news shed light on a disease that afflicts as many as 4 million Americans. Nine out of 10 patients are women.
 

According to the Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation, it takes nearly 3.5 years to receive proper diagnosis because Sjögren’s can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed.  At age 36, Williams has developed symptoms younger than many, who are usually in their late 40s at the time of diagnosis. It often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. 

Symptoms include skin dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and joint pain. More serious complications include profound fatigue, chronic pain, major organic involvement, neuropathies and lymphomas. Sjögren's often accompanies other immune system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.

Each patient seems to have their own unique set of symptoms, the Foundation states. 
 

Treatment for Sjögren’s

While there is currently no cure for Sjögren’s syndrome, symptoms can be treated, especially one of the most irrirtating ones—dry mouth.

NeutraSal by Orapharma is a prescription rinse that replaces and mimics natural saliva. It not only relieves symptoms, but also improves your ability to swallow, drink, eat, taste and talk. As a bonus, it helps strengthen teeth by restoring calcium phosphate.
 

It comes in single-use packets of dissolving powder mix in water to create a soothing oral rinse. Patients prescribed NeutralSal typically rinse with it 2 to 10 times per day as directed by their healthcare professional. 
 

To learn more about NeutraSal, click here.