Carrie Ann Inaba Advocates for Invisible Illness Awareness: 'It's Real'

Carrie Ann Inaba, a familiar face on "Dancing with the Stars," is shedding light on a condition she has managed for decades: Sjogren's disease.

This autoimmune disorder, which can begin with subtle symptoms, recently led Inaba to experience a medical emergency mid-flight. She described feeling suddenly ill, breaking out in a cold sweat, experiencing dizziness, and numbness in her arms.

Inaba revealed to Fox News Digital that her struggle with Sjogren's began years ago with dry eyes and corneal injuries. After years of symptoms and consulting specialists, she received a diagnosis in 2013.

Sjogren's is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting various body parts. It can manifest with symptoms like chronic pain, extreme fatigue, dry mouth, brain fog, and numbness. An estimated four million Americans live with Sjogren's, predominantly women.

To manage her symptoms, Inaba focuses on keeping her environment moist, staying hydrated, and incorporating practices like meditation and bodywork. She emphasizes listening to her body and prioritizing rest.

Through the Sjout for Sjogren’s campaign, Inaba aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding the disease. She stresses the importance of advocating for proper care and building a community for those affected.

Inaba’s core message is that Sjogren's is an "invisible illness" and that those experiencing its effects should not let others dismiss their reality. She encourages patients to track warning signs and find confidence in sharing their experiences.

She also advises patience for those trying to understand an invisible illness, acknowledging that it can be difficult to grasp unless experienced firsthand.