The Sjogren's Syndrome Survival Guide

Little is known in the medical community about Sjogren's (pronounced show-grins) syndrome, although it is statistically the most prevalent autoimmune disorder in the US, afflicting some 2 to 4 million people, the majority of whom are women. Sufferers often spend years going from specialist to specialist before being properly diagnosed. This debilitating illness, in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own moisture producing glands, results in dry eyes and dry mouth, and dryness of the skin, nose, and vagina. It can also affect the kidneys, GI tract, blood vessels, lung, liver, pancreas, and the central nervous system. This is the first and only book to provide a specific program of self-help strategies for sufferers.

Authors Teri Rumpf and Kathy Hammitt are both Sjogren's sufferers. Their book offers you the most current medical information about Sjogren's along with an in-depth explanation of the disorder, including how it is diagnosed. The book will teach your how to advocate for yourself within the health care system and how to team up with your physician to coordinate the necessary medical care. Learn the most effective ways to reduce symptoms, deal with pain, and cope psychologically with Sjogren's challenges.

Teri P. Rumpf, PhD, is a psychologist in private practice specializing in treating patients who suffer from chronic illness. Rumpf knows firsthand the challenges of living with Sjögren's syndrome. She has published numerous articles on living with chronic illness for both the Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation and the Scleroderma Foundation. She lives in Newton Highlands, MA.