What Autoimmune Disease Does She Have?

The latest Venus Williams health update is good news when it comes to her dealing with a severe autoimmune disease. While the multiple Grand Slam winner was diagnosed with the illness in 2011, it’s rare enough that most don’t know what it is without some research. Here’s everything we know about what disease Venus Williams has been diagnosed with, its numerous symptoms including fatigue, and how the tennis legend is coping with them.

What illness or disease does Venus Williams have?

Venus Williams has been diagnosed with a disease called Sjögren syndrome (or Sjogren syndrome), an autoimmune condition that causes fatigue, chronic pain, and extensive dryness throughout the body.

The disease is caused by white blood cells called lymphocytes mistakenly attacking glands that produce moisture and saliva, according to the Sjögren Foundation. This commonly results in the patient being unable to create tears and saliva easily, leading to eye and mouth dryness. Sadly, there is no cure for this disease, though treatments are available to lessen the impact of the symptoms. Nine out of ten patients who have the condition are women, and the average age of patients with the disease are in their late 40s.

For Venus, the “extreme fatigue” from the disease affected her the most, based on a interview in Harper’s Bazaar. It took “seven years” before she was diagnosed, and during that time, she knew she “wasn’t reaching [her] full potential” but frustratingly didn’t know why. So it was a relief when she received an official diagnosis, though she had to withdraw from the 2011 U.S. Open in the second round because of it.

The lengthy process in diagnosing Sjogren syndrome is common, since the symptoms of the disease are similar to those of menopause, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, and other medical conditions. According to the Sjogren Foundation, it has been able to reduce the amount of time it takes to diagnose the disease to under 3 years instead of over 6 years back in 2012.

With time, Venus has been able to make the condition “manageable.” Her sister, Serena Williams, suggested that they attend a retreat after she was diagnosed. It was there that she decided to have a vegetarian, sugar-free diet, which has alleviated the symptoms. Her journey has led her to write a wellness book called “Strive” that releases this month in September.