Dry Mouth

• What causes dry mouth?
• What are the symptoms of dry mouth?
• Why is dry mouth a problem?
• How is dry mouth treated?

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When we don't produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth.

What causes dry mouth?

There are several causes of dry mouth. These include:

• Side effect of certain medications. Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and nonprescription drugs, including drugs used to treat depression, anxiety, pain, allergies and colds (antihistamines and decongestants), obesity, acne, epilepsy, hypertension (diuretics), diarrhea, nausea, psychotic disorders, urinary incontinence, asthma (certain bronchodilators), and Parkinson's disease. Dry mouth is also a side effect of muscle relaxants and sedatives.
• Side effect of certain diseases and infections. Dry mouth can be a side effect of medical conditions, including Sjögren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, anemia, cystic fibrosis, rheumatoid arthritis, hypertension, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and mumps.
• Side effect of certain medical treatments. Damage to the salivary glands, the glands that produce saliva, for example, from radiation to the head and neck and chemotherapy treatments for cancer, can reduce the amount of saliva produced.
• Nerve damage. Dry mouth can be a result of nerve damage to the head and neck area from an injury or surgery.
• Dehydration. Conditions that lead to dehydration, such as fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns can cause dry mouth.
• Surgical removal of the salivary glands.
• Lifestyle. Smoking or chewing tobacco can affect saliva production and aggravate dry mouth. Continuously breathing with your mouth open can also contribute to the problem.

What are the symptoms of dry mouth?

Common symptoms of dry mouth include:

• A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth
• Frequent thirst
• Sores in the mouth; sores or split skin at the corners of the mouth; cracked lips
• A dry feeling in the throat
• A burning or tingling sensation in the mouth and especially on the tongue
• A dry, red, raw tongue
• Problems speaking or difficulty tasting, chewing and swallowing
• Hoarseness, dry nasal passages, sore throat
• Bad breath

From the Doctors at MedicineNet.com

Chemotherapy - Explains chemotherapy, a drug treatment to kill cancer cells. Article includes descriptions, uses, and side effects, and care support. Source:Government Sjogren's Syndrome - Learn about Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and connective tissue. Primary Sjogren's syndrome only affects the glands, while secondary Sjogren's syndrome also involves the connective tissue. Symptoms may include dry eyes, dry mouth, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, or scleroderma. Though there is no cure for Sjogren's syndrome, the symptoms may be treated by using lubricating eye ointments, drinking plenty of water, humidifying the air, and using glycerin swabs. Medications are also available to treat dry eye and dry mouth. Source:MedicineNet Thrush - Read about thrush, a candida mouth infection that occurs most often in babies, children and those with HIV or cancer. Learn symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Source:WebMD Medical Reference from The Cleveland Clinic Read 25 more Dry Mouth related articles ... Pot Drug May Cut Fibromyalgia Pain Amitiza Treats Irritable Bowel With Constipation Suffering of Heart Failure Similar to Cancer FDA OKs ADHD Drug Vyvanse for Adults FDA OKs Nexium for Kids 1-11