Those that suffer from a dry mouth are suffering from a decrease in saliva production. The reason we suffer from a dry mouth is caused by a variety of reasons and it is likely that we all will suffer from a dry mouth at some point in our lifetime. Some of the most common causes of dry mouth include:
□ Side effects of certain medications
□ Side effects of certain diseases
□ Side effects of certain medical treatments
□ Nerve damage
□ Dehydration
□ Damaged or removed salivary glands
□ Hormonal changes
□ Lifestyle
All medications have some type of side effects. One side effect of many medications is a dry mouth. Certain medications used to treat a variety of illnesses can cause a dry mouth. If a particular medication is causing the dry mouth, the condition will normally subside when the use of the medication is discontinued; however, you should never discontinue a prescribed medication without the consent of a physician.
There are also diseases that affect the salivary glands and lead to a dry mouth. These diseases include:
□ High blood pressure
□ Sjogren’s syndrome
□ Alzheimer’s disease
□ Diabetes
□ Mumps
□ Anemia
□ Cystic fibrosis
□ Rheumatoid arthritis
□ High blood pressure
□ Parkinson’s disease
□ Stroke
□ Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
It is also common for certain medical treatments to cause a dry mouth. The most common medical treatment that causes dry mouth is radiation that is aimed at the head and neck. Radiation which is commonly given to cancer patients who have some type of cancer around their head and neck area will usually suffer from a dry mouth as side effect of the radiation. The radiation works to kill the cancer and in the process it also destroys the salivary glands, which are the glands that produce saliva. The production of saliva in those patients that have had radiation aimed at their head and neck will most likely suffer from a decrease of saliva production for the remainder of their lives even after the radiation treatments are completed.
Lifestyle habits can also cause a dry mouth. Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco damages the body in numerous ways including causing a dry mouth. Smoking and chewing tobacco decreases the saliva production within the mouth.
Dehydration also contributes to a dry mouth. When we are sick, it is not uncommon for some of us to become dehydrated. Fevers, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and severe burns can cause dehydration. Drinking an inadequate amount of water can also cause a dry mouth and can lead to dehydration. Avoid drinks with a high content of sugar in them including colas; these drinks tend to cause a dry mouth. Lastly, the way we breathe can determine whether or not we have a dry mouth. For those of us that breathe in and out of our mouths, we will most likely have a dry mouth compared to those people who breathe in and out through their nose.
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