Carrie Ann Inaba is opening up about her long journey with Sjögren's disease, a chronic autoimmune condition that can cause symptoms ranging from dry eyes and mouth to persistent fatigue and joint pain.

The Dancing With The Stars judge was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 after spending years experiencing symptoms without clear answers. Inaba said she dealt with dry eyes, chronic pain, and fatigue before understanding that they could be connected.

'For a long time, I'd tell people I was fine when I wasn't,' Inaba said in a video for the SJÖUT for Sjögren's campaign.

She is now partnering with Novartis on the awareness campaign, which encourages people with Sjögren's to speak openly about the condition and its wider impact.

What Is Sjögren's Disease?

Sjögren's disease is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells mistakenly attack healthy cells, particularly in the glands that produce tears and saliva.

This can lead to the condition's two hallmark symptoms: dry eyes and dry mouth. But Sjögren's can affect much more than moisture-producing glands, potentially involving the skin, joints, lungs, kidneys, blood vessels, liver, pancreas and brain.

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research estimates that between 1 million and 4 million people in the US have Sjögren's disease. Women are about nine times more likely than men to develop it.

#Sponsored It’s World Sjögren's Day, and today I want to celebrate the resilience of everyone in this incredible community 💙 As part of my partnership with Novartis, I sat down with Janet Church, CEO & President of the Sjögren's Foundation, and rheumatologist Dr Tara Rizvi, to talk about what it means to go from staying silent to advocating without apology. Janet's story is a reminder that no one has to navigate this alone. And Dr Rizvi’s advice could change the way patients show up at their next appointment. Watch our full conversations and explore resources at https://www.sjoutforsjogrens.com/sjoupandsjout?utm_source=facebook&utm_mlr=FA-11624664&utm_medium=paid-social&utm_campaign=facebook_unbranded_sj%C3%B6ut-for-sjogren%27s-cai-post-%234_jul-2026&utm_content=ian_sjogren%27s-disease-%28sjd%29_world-sj%C3%B6gren%27s-day_opr_carrie-ann-inaba_learn-more&post_type=DSE&placement=Feed&objective=Traffic 🗣️ Today we SJÖUT (shout): for ourselves and for each other. #SjoutForSjogrens SJÖUT for Sjögren’s Sponsored by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. Intended for US audiences only. 5/26 FA-11624664

Posted by Carrie Ann Inaba on Thursday, July 23, 2026

What Symptoms Can Be Easy to Overlook?

The disease can produce a broad combination of symptoms that may initially appear unrelated.

Persistent dry eyes may cause burning, itching, blurred vision, or sensitivity to light. Dry mouth can make chewing, swallowing and speaking uncomfortable and can increase the risk of tooth decay, tooth loss and oral infections because saliva helps protect the mouth.

Beyond dryness, patients can experience joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue, dry skin, skin rashes, numbness or tingling, a persistent dry cough and vaginal dryness. Symptoms can also fluctuate, with periods when they become more severe.

That variety can make the condition particularly difficult to recognise. Fatigue, joint pain and dryness are common complaints that can occur with numerous other conditions, meaning the connection between them may not immediately be obvious.

Research cited by the British Society for Rheumatology notes that people can present with a wide range of non-specific symptoms, sometimes seeing different healthcare professionals such as GPs, dentists or ophthalmologists.

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How Is Sjögren's Diagnosed?

There is no single test that can confirm Sjögren's disease. Doctors generally consider a person's medical history and symptoms alongside a physical examination and laboratory or other clinical tests.

Depending on the symptoms, testing may assess tear production, saliva production or blood tests for antibodies associated with Sjögren's, while salivary gland imaging or biopsy may sometimes be used.

This means telling a doctor about the full pattern of symptoms can be important, particularly when problems affecting the eyes, mouth, joints and energy levels occur together.

Can Sjögren's Disease Be Treated?

There is currently no cure, so treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and managing complications.

Artificial tears, eye ointments and saliva substitutes can help relieve dryness, while some medicines can stimulate saliva production. Treatment for pain, inflammation or more severe disease affecting other organs may also be considered depending on the individual patient.

For Inaba, speaking openly about her experience has also become part of managing life with the condition. She said finding a community helped her feel supported and learn how to live with Sjögren's.

Her experience highlights why persistent symptoms that seem unrelated should not necessarily be viewed in isolation. When several problems occur together, discussing the complete picture with a healthcare professional may help identify conditions that can otherwise be difficult to recognise.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Sjögren's disease?
    Sjögren's disease is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, particularly those in glands responsible for producing tears and saliva.
  • What are the common symptoms of Sjögren's disease?
    Common symptoms include dry eyes, dry mouth, joint and muscle pain, chronic fatigue, dry skin, and a persistent dry cough.
  • How is Sjögren's disease diagnosed?
    Diagnosis involves considering a person's medical history, symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory or clinical tests, such as assessing tear and saliva production or blood markers.
  • Can Sjögren's disease be cured?
    There is currently no cure for Sjögren's disease, but treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and managing complications.
  • Why is it important to discuss all symptoms with a healthcare professional?
    Discussing the complete picture of symptoms can help identify conditions like Sjögren's disease that may otherwise be difficult to recognise.