You wouldn't notice it as she sits behind the judges' table on Dancing with the Stars, but Carrie Ann Inaba is suffering from a painful disease.
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Her symptoms aren't outwardly visible, but she experiences constant pain, dryness in her eyes and mouth, and persistent fatigue. These are symptoms of Sjogren's disease, for which there is no cure.
What is Sjogren's Disease?
According to Mayo Clinic, Sjogren's disease is an autoimmune condition that affects the glands that produce tears and saliva. This causes fewer tears and a drier mouth. Some sufferers also complain of joint pain, skin rashes, and fatigue.
Sjogren's disease can occur at any age, but it is most often diagnosed in females over 40. There is no cure.
"My life is all about energy management," said Inaba.
PEOPLE reports that the Dancing with the Stars judge was diagnosed with the disease in 2013, and it took "forever" for her to find the right doctor.
"It was right after my dad died. It was a very traumatic time," she said. "When I got the diagnosis, I was relieved. The first thing I thought was relief: 'Okay, this is something, now I can use my energy to focus on this.'"
The "Dancing with the Stars" Judge Has To Plan Around the Disease
Because Sjogren's disease is always present, Inaba must plan her schedule around it.
Dancing with the Stars is filmed on Tuesdays, so the judge will have a quiet day on Sunday. She then has a fitting on Monday and returns home. Before she heads to the studio on Tuesday, she will "be peaceful at home and just do home stuff. And then the day after, I schedule a quiet day."
Regular reiki sessions and moments of downtime between hectic periods help regulate Inaba's stress levels and keep her "pretty healthy."
Despite her efforts to manage the disease, it has come at a personal cost for the Dancing with the Stars judge.
"I've lost a lot of friendships," she says. "I've lost a social life. I don't have a relationship [because] ... I don't have a lot of energy to give to another person at this moment. I'm constantly managing my energy."
Despite these challenges, Inaba maintains an optimistic mindset. She explains, "What you have to do is redefine what is success. That is what I've done."
