Written By: Dr Reshma Nayak | Updated : May 22, 2014 3:19 PM IST
If you've noticed that your saliva is stringy and sticky, your lips appear parched and dry, your tongue appears to have a white deposit over it even after cleaning it well, have bad breath,have red and swollen gums, are unable to eat spicy food and feel thirsty all the time, you just might be suffering from what's called a 'dry mouth'.
Apart from being uncomfortable, a dry mouth could also increase your risk for dental decay and fungal infections of the mouth. It may cause problems in speech and swallowing, make denture wearing difficult.
What we need to realize is that dry mouth is not a disease, but a symptom. Though it can happen at times due to anxiety or dehydration, the causes could be more serious too.
It could be one of the symptoms of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, anaemia, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, diseases with an autoimmune origin like rheumatoid arthritis and Sjogren's syndrome, mumps (swelling of the salivary gland in the part of the cheek below the earlobe).
Certain medications like antihistamines (taken for cold and cough), medication for hypertension, anti-diarrhoeals, drugs for Parkinsonism, muscle relaxants, etc. could also cause a dry mouth. Treatments for cancer (both chemo- and radiotherapy) can destroy the cells in the salivary gland leading to a dry mouth.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of hypertension.
Injuries or surgeries in the head and neck region can also cause dry mouth. Chewing or smoking tobacco, alcohol can also affect the salivary glands leading to the mouth going dry.
So, the next time you feel your mouth going dry for an extended period of time, do consult your doctor.
Read more about causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.
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