Sjogren's syndrome occurs when white blood cells attack moisture producing areas of the body, particularly the tear ducts and the salivary glands.

Sjogren's syndrome is typically misunderstood as being limited to dry eyes and dry mouth when in fact, for many patients, it is a systemic ailment that can cause significant impairment. Occasionally, it can even be fatal. And it is not limited to elderly women; people of either gender can develop Sjogren's, and patients are now being diagnosed in their teens and twenties. That is why it is so important to have a comprehensive book on the various manifestations of Sjogren's that can be referred to both by patients and their doctors. It is of great help in calling attention to the significance of this illness without causing undue fear of the most serious but rare symptoms.

The contributions of respected rheumatologists, dentists, opthalmologists, psychiatrists, pathologists and other medical professionals from around the world assure a wealth of valuable information. For the uninitiated patient, there is a glossary of terms at the back to help with the more technical articles. For medical professionals, there are chapters that go into great detail about the disease process and the latest theories as to possible causes of Sjogren's.

In addition to the technical material, there are chapters addressing patient concerns such as day-to-day coping, disability, and how close medical science is to finding a cure. There are also chapters detailing the difference between primary and secondary Sjogren's, lists of symptoms and signs, treatment options and which diseases are the most likely to co-exist with Sjogren's. The scariest manifestations of Sjogren's such as lymphoma, vasculitis, pulmonary hypertension, primary biliary cirrhosis and kidney failure are also in here with proper emphasis on their relative rarity in the course of the disease.

One of the biggest frustrations of having a systemic ailment is that no doctor can tell you 100 percent what to expect. No two patients have the same experience or severity of illness. I find it comforting that, if I experience a new symptom at 3am, I can refer to my handbook to see if it could be caused by Sjogren's and get an idea whether it warrants an emergency call or if it can wait until business hours.

I recommend this book for patients with primary or secondary Sjogren's, those in the medical profession, or those who know someone with Sjogren's. It takes a lot of mystery out of the illness and will reassure patients with unusual symptoms who were beginning to doubt themselves. And the information within could quiet those who claim Sjogren's is no big deal.