There is hardly a person who has never felt dry mouth. But most people do not attach much importance to this symptom, believing that it is due to hot weather, s alty or spicy food and lack of drink. Quite often this turns out to be true, and after drinking enough water, the discomfort disappears. But you should be aware that a frequent feeling of dry mouth, the causes of which are not related to everyday problems, may indicate violations in the functioning of body systems.
Normal salivation
The feeling of dryness indicates insufficient secretion in the salivary glands. The medical name for this problem is xerostomia. It is not considered a separate disease, but is a symptom of various diseases.
A he althy person produces enough saliva to protect the mouth froma range of problems:
- it prevents the development of ulcers and wounds in the process of friction;
- neutralizes the action of acids and bacterial flora;
- starts the processes of remineralization of tooth enamel;
- eliminates annoying aftertaste from food;
- participates in the process of breaking down food.
Since xerostomia can be considered a marker of the presence of he alth problems, it is not enough to eliminate it with abundant fluid intake. Be sure to look for the causes of dry mouth and deal with them.
Additional symptoms
Special attention should be paid to your he alth if dry mouth is repeated many times and is accompanied by the following additional sensations:
- Saliva becomes sticky, it seems that if the mouth is closed for a long time, then the tongue stuck to the palate.
- There is burning and itching in the tongue or mouth.
- There is an unpleasant odor.
- It becomes difficult to chew, swallow, speak.
- The perception of taste is disturbed.
- The tongue becomes rough and reddened or coated.
With these symptoms, it is necessary to understand why dry mouth occurs, what disease it causes. Only a qualified doctor can do this. The initial appointment is usually carried out by a therapist. It determines which specialist should be contacted for further diagnosis and treatment.
Categories of reasons
The generally accepted classification of the causes of xerostomia has not been compiled, just as there is no complete list of these causes. To make it clearer and more convenient, many doctors divide into two main categories:
- Pathological causes, that is, xerostomia as a symptom of a disease.
- Non-pathological causes, that is, xerostomia, as a result of the patient's lifestyle and lifestyle.
To what category to attribute the causes of dry mouth, the doctor determines as a result of a survey and examination of the patient, as well as the results of tests.
Pathological causes. Pathologies of the salivary glands
Dry mouth can be caused by dozens of diseases. In this case, xerostomia can be an obvious symptom or concomitant factor, or it can be a rare partial manifestation of the disease. Since it is impossible to describe all diseases that can provoke a salivation problem, it is worth considering those for which this is a characteristic feature.
So, the patient complains of dry mouth. What disease is most often caused by this problem? According to statistics, these are pathologies of the salivary glands. We can talk about parotitis, sialostasis and sialadenitis and other diseases.
Mumps and sialadenitis cause inflammation of the salivary glands. Sialostasis is a delay or complication of salivary secretion as a result of the formation of a salivary stone, a foreign body entering the duct, or a narrowing of the salivary duct.
Infections
Persistent dry mouth can accompany the flu,sore throat, SARS and other infectious diseases, which are characterized by high temperature. Due to fluctuations in body temperature, patients sweat profusely. It is very difficult to replenish the loss of fluid in the body during this period. The result is thirst and dryness.
Regular drinking and the correct implementation of medical prescriptions can eliminate the underlying cause (disease), and dry mouth will no longer bother.
Stomatitis
Catarrhal form of stomatitis affects the oral mucosa. Redness appears, and teeth are imprinted on the inner surface of the cheeks due to swelling of the tissues. The inflammatory process disrupts the normal function of salivation, causing dry mouth. The disease responds well to treatment. But here it is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner. The specialist identifies the causes in time, and the elimination of dry mouth along with the main problem (stomatitis) is not delayed in time. If the process is started, then stomatitis can turn into a hemorrhagic or erosive-ulcerative form. In this case, dry mouth will only get worse as saliva production almost stops.
Endocrine diseases: diabetes mellitus and thyrotoxicosis
Persistent dry mouth often accompanies diabetic patients. As a result of absolute or relative insufficiency of insulin in the body, carbohydrate and other metabolic processes are disturbed. The functions of the salivary glands are inhibited as a result of a decrease in fluid in the patient's body. That is why the appearance of thirst andxerostomia should alert the person and encourage them to undergo a medical examination.
In some patients, the thyroid gland increases the production of hormones, causing thyrotoxicosis. This disease can be a complication of diffuse toxic and nodular hypothyroid goiter. In this case, metabolic processes are also disturbed and excess fluid is released (strong sweating). One symptom is dry mouth. Eliminating one symptom is impractical, it is necessary to undergo a full treatment and eliminate the problem as a whole.
Injuries and surgeries
Traumatic disorders of the hyoid, parotid or jaw area often cause dry mouth. Elimination of the symptom occurs as you recover from the injury. Xerostomia in such injuries is associated with tissue ruptures and damage to the ducts of the salivary glands.
In some diseases, surgical interventions are performed that affect the state of the salivary system. Sometimes the salivary glands are basically removed due to oncological or inflammatory processes.
Systemic diseases
Many complex systemic diseases cause dry mouth along with severe symptoms. These include, for example, scleroderma, Sjögren's disease, cystic fibrosis, and others. There is no cure for autoimmune diseases, but treatment and supportive care can help prevent disabling complications.
Processes that increase fluid loss
Bitterness and drynessin the mouth can occur during many processes leading the body to profuse fluid loss. Xerostomia often accompanies acute diarrhea, vomiting, high body temperature. This symptom can occur with bleeding and burns. In many cases, drinking plenty of fluids is not enough to restore fluid balance. Such patients are prescribed intravenous infusions (droppers).
It is important to understand that it is impossible to self-diagnose the above diseases based on xerostomia. This symptom can tell the specialist in which direction to look for the underlying disease, and nothing more.
Non-pathological causes. Bad habits and lifestyle
One-time or infrequently repeated dry mouth can occur as a result of a person's bad habits. This problem is common in smokers and people who abuse alcohol. Sometimes xerostomia haunts coffee drinkers.
Failure to drink also disrupts fluid balance and leads to dehydration. Especially if a person drinks little after spicy or s alty foods. To avoid dry mouth, increase your water intake during the hot season.
Environment
Lack of saliva production can be felt not only in the heat of summer, when the body overheats and dehydrates. The temperature regime in the room where a person lives or works has a great influence on this process. In winter, when the heating is turned on, many people overheat their apartments or offices. This dries out the airroom, which affects the condition of the mucous membranes. It is advisable to maintain a comfortable temperature, use humidifiers and drink mineral (non-carbonated) or boiled water. The dry mouth caused by environmental factors will also go away.
Xerostomia in the morning and at night
Dry mouth at night and in the morning can have different reasons. Unpleasant sensations in the morning are most likely associated with local causes. Perhaps in a dream a person breathes through his mouth due to snoring, a deviated nasal septum, or for another reason. Such xerostomia after waking up quickly passes. But dry mouth at night can indicate not only drying out of the mucous membrane during sleep or overeating at night, but also serious disorders in the functioning of organs and the nervous system.
Xerostomia while taking medication
Many medications have the side effect of dry mouth. This applies to anticancer, psychotropic and diuretic drugs. A similar problem can cause vasoconstrictor, antihistamine and antihypertensive drugs. In most cases, this symptom does not require discontinuation of drug therapy. Fluid intake should be increased and dry mouth will resolve after treatment is completed.
Xerostomia during pregnancy
Even with normal pregnancy, women often experience discomfort, including dry mouth. If this condition is temporary and disappears after the normalization of the drinking regime, then it should not cause concern. Othercase - dry mouth in the second half of pregnancy, combined with nausea, swelling and vomiting. This may be a symptom of preeclampsia (late toxicosis), which is dangerous for the he alth and life of both the mother and the fetus. If you experience xerostomia in late pregnancy, be sure to seek medical advice.
Attentive attitude to one's condition can greatly simplify the treatment of the most complex diseases. Frequent dry mouth sensations can be a warning sign to look out for.
