DEAR DR. DONOHUE: What can you tell me about Sjogren’s syndrome? I have a dry mouth, and every time I go to the dentist, they ask if I have Sjogren’s syndrome. I have gone on the Internet and read some of it symptoms. I am a diabetic. Tests for lupus and rheumatoid arthritis have been positive, but I don’t have these illnesses. I’d appreciate any information. — S.B.

ANSWER: Dry eyes and dry mouth are the pre-eminent symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome. The immune system has attacked the salivary and tear glands. Lymphocytes — one kind of white blood cell, and an important component of the immune system — have invaded those glands and left them functioning poorly.

A lack of tears dries the eyes and makes them feel as though someone has thrown sand in them. A lack of saliva makes it hard to swallow food, difficult to talk and leads to innumerable dental problems.

Sjogren’s patients also can develop joint pains and enlarged lymph nodes. In a few patients, the kidneys and lungs are involved. Sometimes, Sjogren’s results from another illness, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, primary biliary cirrhosis and hepatitis. If that is the case, it’s called secondary Sjogren’s, “secondary” to the main illness.

Artificial salivas can restore moisture to the mouth. Evoxac and pilocarpine are two oral medicines that promote saliva production. Artificial tears can moisturize the eyes. Restasis eyedrops often can stimulate the battered tear glands to put out tears.

Get acquainted with the Sjogren’s Syndrome Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing Sjogren’s patients with the latest information on that disease and its treatment. The website is www.sjogrens.org, and the phone number is 800-475-6473. You won’t regret making the contact.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am writing about my uterus. It has fallen down, but is not down all the time. It does not bother me at all.

I am 75. If I leave it alone, can it cause something else, or can I live with it without developing any problems? Please answer. — Anon.

ANSWER: The pelvis is a bowl-shaped container composed of three large bones. It’s at the bottom of the abdomen. It contains the uterus, the urinary bladder and the rectum.

Childbearing weakens the supports that prop up those organs in the pelvis. Age does the same. The dropoff in estrogen production that comes with menopause is another factor in the loss of strength in the pelvic ligaments and muscles. As a result, the uterus, the bladder or the rectum — or all three — can fall downward. Sometimes they protrude through the vagina.

If you have no symptoms, you don’t have to rush to correct the situation. Symptoms are things like pelvic pain or aching, loss of bladder control, difficulty passing stool and painful intercourse. If organs protrude through the vagina, they can become raw and develop sores. You have none of these complaints. You can continue as you are without worry.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My triglycerides are elevated. They are in the range of 193 (2.18). Are my high triglycerides being caused by my medicines? I weigh 200 pounds and am 5 feet 9 inches. — G.B.

ANSWER: Triglycerides are fats. They work in concert with cholesterol to clog arteries, but the main focus of attention still remains on LDL cholesterol, bad cholesterol. The ideal triglyceride reading is less than 150 mg/dL (1.69 mmol/L). Your reading is in a range called borderline high, not an eyebrow-raising number. Of your five medicines, the only one that might raise triglycerides is hydrochlorothiazide, a water pill. However, your dose is so small that I don’t believe it’s contributing to your triglyceride elevation.

Rather than adding any new medicine to your list, make some life changes. Greatly reduce sugar intake and go easy on alcohol. If you lose 5 percent to 10 percent of your body weight, your triglycerides will drop.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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