Dry mouth – causes and what does it mean?
Dry mouth is an unpleasant symptom that indicates possible problems with the oral mucosa and improper care. It may be accompanied by itching, burning, difficulty swallowing and a feeling of plaque.
In any case, you want to get rid of dryness and understand what causes this condition. Let's figure it out.
Why does dry mouth appear?
The symptom can be both a consequence of the disease and the cause of your everyday actions. In the first case, it is necessary to consult a specialist and undergo a series of examinations, in the second – to identify the cause and reconsider habits.
The main symptoms indicating dry mouth:
- pain;
- redness;
- itching and irritation;
- burning sensation and scabies;
- unpleasant tingling, tightness;
- dry cough, a feeling of plaque in the area of the palate and throat;
- gum irritation;
- bad breath;
- difficulty swallowing, lump in the throat;
- increased sensitivity of teeth;
- unpleasant sensations while wearing braces and systems.
If you have noted most of the symptoms, it's time to seek medical help. You will be examined and will be helped to determine exactly whether your condition is painful.
Non-pathological causes of
Most often, dry mouth occurs during:
- smoking;
- excessive and systematic alcohol consumption;
- insufficient fluid levels during the day and subsequent dehydration;
- nasal congestion;
- taking medications and medications;
- lack of saliva;
- stress;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- formation of polyps;
- age-related changes;
- temperature fluctuations and changes in climatic conditions - for example, if you went on a trip to a hot country or the humidity dropped sharply outside the window.
In this case, the solution to the problem will help to give up bad habits, increase the daily rate of water consumption, rest and restore normal breathing. These symptoms often appear during immune diseases: seasonal colds, SARS, and flu. But in the case of curvature of the nasal septum and the formation of polyps, surgical intervention may be required.
Diseases
Severe dry mouth may indicate the development of pathologies and serious diseases coming from within the body, for example:
- diabetes mellitus;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- hypothyroidism – a lack of thyroid function that affects the secretion of saliva;
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- neoplasms in the oral cavity;
- anemia – a lack of hemoglobin and a violation in the formation of red blood cells;
Sjogren's disease is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks its own salivary and lacrimal glands, which leads to dry mouth and eyes.
How to get rid of dry mouth
Most often, people confuse painful dry mouth with thirst. In the second case, a person does not drink liquid for a long time and experiences this symptom not because of the disease, but simply because he has not drunk water for a long time. Therefore, it is important to monitor the level of liquid that you consume throughout the day. It can be not only plain water, but also soups, juices, coffee, tea and any other drinks.
If the symptom is caused by non-pathological causes, it is sufficient to eliminate the factor causing dryness. For example, to temporarily stop drinking alcohol and quit smoking. If you suspect a disease, you should contact a specialist and conduct an examination of the entire body. Dryness is a common symptom at the onset of many diseases, so do not self–diagnose and use the services of doctors.
