Dry mouth as a medical condition results from a decrease in the amount of saliva produced in the mouth. Another name used to refer to the name is xerostomia. Patients become unable to speak or do so with a lot of difficulty in some conditions. Malnutrition has also been experienced in most patients. When the condition is very severe, permanent mouth and throat disorders occur reducing the quality of life of the patient significantly. When one needs experts in dry mouth Newfoundlands should be considered first.
Xerostomia has a very high level of prevalence. Approximations indicate that ten percent of the world population is somehow affected by the disease. Looking at the world population today, this is means that thousands of millions of people have it. Prevalence also seems to be highest in women compared to men. Additionally, people on prescription and nonprescription medications as well as the elderly people are at a higher risk of being affected.
The roles played by saliva in the oral cavity are many and usually unnoticed. Saliva is taken for granted yet without it life can be miserable. Its ability to lubricate provide comfort and protects oral tissues from effects of friction, sores, and ulcers. It fights off bacterial infection and acts as a neutralizer for acids. Without saliva acting as a solvent, tasting food would be a problem and digestion would be affected since the first steps are performed by saliva.
Causes for xerostomia are many and diverse. In most cases, it is a side effect that results from taking medications that reduce the production of saliva. Such medications include blood pressure medications, diuretics, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines among many others. Other major causes include hormonal imbalance, mouth breathing, autoimmune, diabetes, salivary gland disease, sleep apnea, and radiation treatment for cancerous tumors in the neck and head region.
Xerostomia comes with many symptoms and signs that it can sometimes be confusing. Initial signs include difficulty or having trouble eating, swallowing, speaking, and tasting food. The symptoms become more apparent at night. Main effects that the patient may experience include bad breath, persistent cough, dry eyes, white tongue, dizziness, headaches, cracked lips, and pale gums among many others.
Diagnosis usually requires salivary glands to be inspected for for blockages. Measurement of saliva flow under stimulation and without stimulation is also done. No known method exists for preventing xerostomia. However, its effects can be highly managed. Chance of managing the effects are higher when the disease is noticed earlier.
There are many ways of treating xerostomia and one can choose whichever works for them. Some of the options available include prevention of caries, saliva stimulation, saliva substitution, and yeast infection. Saliva substitution aims at keeping the oral cavity wet by drinking liquids. The dryness is increased if the liquids contain alcohol.
Saliva stimulation involves using methods that stimulate saliva to be produced. Chewing gums, lemon drops, and certain medications are the main methods used. To avoid teeth problems, chewing gums should not be sugary. Also, medications should be avoided by asthma and glaucoma patients.
Xerostomia has a very high level of prevalence. Approximations indicate that ten percent of the world population is somehow affected by the disease. Looking at the world population today, this is means that thousands of millions of people have it. Prevalence also seems to be highest in women compared to men. Additionally, people on prescription and nonprescription medications as well as the elderly people are at a higher risk of being affected.
The roles played by saliva in the oral cavity are many and usually unnoticed. Saliva is taken for granted yet without it life can be miserable. Its ability to lubricate provide comfort and protects oral tissues from effects of friction, sores, and ulcers. It fights off bacterial infection and acts as a neutralizer for acids. Without saliva acting as a solvent, tasting food would be a problem and digestion would be affected since the first steps are performed by saliva.
Causes for xerostomia are many and diverse. In most cases, it is a side effect that results from taking medications that reduce the production of saliva. Such medications include blood pressure medications, diuretics, antidepressants, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines among many others. Other major causes include hormonal imbalance, mouth breathing, autoimmune, diabetes, salivary gland disease, sleep apnea, and radiation treatment for cancerous tumors in the neck and head region.
Xerostomia comes with many symptoms and signs that it can sometimes be confusing. Initial signs include difficulty or having trouble eating, swallowing, speaking, and tasting food. The symptoms become more apparent at night. Main effects that the patient may experience include bad breath, persistent cough, dry eyes, white tongue, dizziness, headaches, cracked lips, and pale gums among many others.
Diagnosis usually requires salivary glands to be inspected for for blockages. Measurement of saliva flow under stimulation and without stimulation is also done. No known method exists for preventing xerostomia. However, its effects can be highly managed. Chance of managing the effects are higher when the disease is noticed earlier.
There are many ways of treating xerostomia and one can choose whichever works for them. Some of the options available include prevention of caries, saliva stimulation, saliva substitution, and yeast infection. Saliva substitution aims at keeping the oral cavity wet by drinking liquids. The dryness is increased if the liquids contain alcohol.
Saliva stimulation involves using methods that stimulate saliva to be produced. Chewing gums, lemon drops, and certain medications are the main methods used. To avoid teeth problems, chewing gums should not be sugary. Also, medications should be avoided by asthma and glaucoma patients.
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