DEAR DR. DONOHUE: The wife of a gentleman I have known for a number of years is afflicted with Sjogren’s (SHOW-grins) syndrome. Her arthritis symptoms are a painful burden. Can you make any recommendations? — A.B.

ANSWER: Sjogren’s syndrome is another autoimmune disease, one in which the body’s immune system has gone rogue; it turns against its own tissues. In Sjogren’s case, the targets are the salivary and tear glands. The eyes become dry and feel as though someone has thrown sand in them. They burn, itch and turn red. The mouth has little to no moisture. It’s hard for the person to talk and swallow. Teeth develop cavities.

Joint and muscle pain are common in Sjogren’s. Your friend’s wife appears to have prominent joint symptoms. For these complaints, Tylenol and drugs like naproxen, Aleve, Advil and Motrin are helpful. Should they not work, then more powerful medicines such as hydroxychloroquine can be effective.

For the dry mouth, a squeeze bottle filled with water ought to be a constant companion that’s used frequently. Biotene products, found in all drugstores, can restore moisture. Numoisyn lozenges keep the mouth moist. Sugarless gum stimulates saliva production. Two oral medicines, Evoxac and pilocarpine, are worth exploring.

For the eyes, artificial tears keep them hydrated. Lacrisert, an insert placed under the lower lid, releases a compound that provides moisture throughout the day. Cyclosporine eyedrops (Restasis) directly fight the immune attack.

Sjogren’s may be seen in conjunction with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. There’s an outside chance that one of these two illnesses might be the source of your friend’s wife’s joint pain.

All Sjogren’s patients should contact the Sjogren’s Syndrome foundation online at www.sjogrens.org or at its toll-free number, 800-475-6473. The foundation provides the latest information and is a true friend to all Sjogren’s patients.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband, 85, is covered with bruises on his arms, hands and legs. They do not hurt. He takes a small dose of aspirin, 81 mg, every day, but he’s done that for years. What can be done for it? — W.C.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I, as well as numbers of other seniors, suffer from bruising, mostly of the arms. My primary-care doctor and my dermatologist have not offered any remedy. Can you? — H.W.

ANSWER: Bruises from slight bumps that would not have caused bruises before is the bane of older people. Age thins the skin, and blood vessels lose their support and their padding. Bruises result when an insignificant meeting of the arm with a hard surface occurs. A small blood vessel breaks. Confined to the arms and legs, such bruising usually is not a sign of a significant problem. Padded clothing is the only thing I can offer. Warm compresses to the bruise hasten its disappearance.

Widespread bruising can indicate trouble. Medicines like aspirin, Aleve, Advil and Motrin encourage bruising. W.C.: Your husband shouldn’t stop taking his aspirin without consulting his doctor. Those aren’t the only medicines that bring on bruises.

A deficiency of blood platelets, a lack of vitamins C and K and a deficit of blood-clotting factors are other causes of bruising. Testing for those conditions is worth it if there are other signs of these problems.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Send information on how much blackstrap molasses to take for hemorrhoids. I don’t like its taste, so the smallest effective amount is what I’m looking for. — R.O.

ANSWER: You’ve gotten me mixed up with someone else. I haven’t written about blackstrap molasses being effective for hemorrhoids. In fact, I don’t know that it is.

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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