Sushnyak after eating. What can dry mouth mean and how to fix it? Nonpathological Causes of Dry Mouth

- This is an unpleasant sensation that can be a symptom of serious diseases. With persistent or frequent dry mouth, it is necessary to understand the cause that causes it, and, if necessary, begin treatment. The elimination of dry mouth is usually achieved only as a result of treating the disease-cause, which should be the true goal. In any case, the feeling of dry mouth is another reason to pay attention to your health.

Dry mouth is due to insufficient hydration of the oral mucosa, for the most part due to insufficient production of saliva. In medicine, dry mouth caused by a cessation or decrease in saliva production is called xerostomia.

Quite often, dry mouth is observed in the morning or at night (that is, after sleep).

Symptoms associated with dry mouth

Dry mouth in most cases manifests itself as a whole complex of symptoms described as:

"viscosity" or "stickiness" in the mouth;
thirst;
irritation of the oral mucosa (burning and itching), the appearance of a bright border of the lips, cracks on the lips and in the corners of the mouth;
dry tongue. The tongue turns red, becomes rough. It becomes more difficult to speak, chew, and swallow. Decreased taste perception
dryness in the throat. The voice becomes hoarse and more hoarse;
there is an unpleasant odor from the mouth.

Causes of dry mouth that are not a pathology

In some cases, dry mouth is not associated with a disease. For example:

dry mouth can be observed in the morning and at night due to intoxication. This is a typical situation after drinking alcohol the night before.

Diseases that can cause dry mouth

Dry mouth can be caused by high fever and intoxication in various infectious diseases (, etc.). Diseases associated with a large loss of fluid as a result of or (cholera, dysentery) can also be the cause of dry mouth. In such cases, dry mouth is one of many symptoms and does not attract special attention.

Dry mouth in combination with white or yellow may indicate diseases of the gastrointestinal tract such as duodenitis,.

Dry mouth can also occur with:

diseases of the salivary glands;

systemic diseases (scleroderma, Sjögren's disease, cystic fibrosis).

Elimination of dry mouth

If dry mouth is caused by drinking alcohol and smoking, then it can only be eliminated by getting rid of a bad habit. It is recommended to reduce the intake of salty and sweet foods. Pay attention to how you breathe - through your nose or mouth. If nasal breathing is difficult, it is necessary to diagnose the cause and restore nasal breathing. To do this, you will have to see a doctor. It is also important to monitor the humidity in the room.

Dry mouth or, based on medical terms, xerostomia is a symptom that accompanies many different diseases and appears due to a decrease in the intensity of saliva production or its complete cessation. This problem bothers many people mainly at night, disturbing sleep and causing discomfort.

If a person cannot sleep normally due to severe dryness in the mouth at night, he is advised to consult a doctor to find the cause and eliminate the disease.

Causes of dry mouth at night

Searching for the reasons due to which xerostomia could develop, the doctor must evaluate the patient's complaints, his general condition, and the results of some tests. This is necessary in order not to be mistaken in the diagnosis, since there can be many reasons for this pathology. At night, the oral cavity dries up most often due to:

dehydration that develops against the background of increased hyperemia of the body or elevated air temperature, prolonged bouts of vomiting, burns covering a large area, simply insufficient fluid intake during the day;
difficulty or inability to breathe through the nose, forced breathing through the mouth due to a runny nose, deviated nasal septum, adenoids, drying of the mucous membrane may also occur;
the systematic use of certain medications (often increased thirst is caused by drugs for allergies, hypertension, neurasthenia);
the habit of eating sweets or salty foods before bedtime (such food helps to draw fluid out of the cells and leads to thirst and dryness in the oral cavity);
snoring (many snoring patients also complain of dry mouth at night);
restless sleep due to stress or nervous strain can cause an unpleasant symptom;
various intoxications (including alcohol) lead to complaints and require compensation through the use of large volumes of water;
sleeping in a room with low levels of humidity can lead to dry mouth even if the patient does not have nasal breathing problems.

Maybe diabetes?

Many patients are concerned about the question of whether the drying of the mouth at night is associated with diabetes? Yes, dry mouth can indicate any type of diabetes, but mostly when accompanied by additional symptoms and occurs not only at night, but throughout the day.

You should consult an endocrinologist in the following cases:

a person is constantly thirsty, and he often runs to the toilet and urinates in small portions;
there is a rapid weight gain or, on the contrary, a sharp weight loss, which cannot be explained by a change in diet or lifestyle;
the skin is affected by various purulent diseases, accompanied by itching;
unpleasant and inconvenient jams appear in the corners of the lips;
the patient constantly complains of feeling tired, drowsiness, weakness.

Diagnosing diabetes mellitus only because a person develops dryness in the oral cavity at night is wrong. A glucose test is required at a minimum to make such a diagnosis.

If diabetes is still detected during diagnostic studies, treatment will help to cope with its symptoms, which will be prescribed by an endocrinologist, based on the type of disease and the characteristics of its course.

Dry mouth during pregnancy

Xerostomia at night in pregnant women is quite common. At the same time, it can be a consequence of both a violation of nasal breathing or snoring, and a sign of more serious pathologies. The fair sex is seriously worried if dry mouth haunts her not only during the day, but also at night, and the drinking regimen is strictly observed. Normally, during the daytime, the appearance of dry mouth in pregnant women is impossible, since their saliva production, on the contrary, is increased.

Xerostomia both day and night during pregnancy can be observed in the following cases:

in the summer, the temperature is high with low humidity, because of which the woman actively sweats and should drink more water;
when an unpleasant sour or iron taste is attached to dryness, it is recommended to consult a specialist, as the cause may be gestational type diabetes (the pathology is diagnosed based on glucose tolerance tests);
in the daytime, dry mouth may appear if a woman does not follow the prescribed diet, abusing too salty or too sweet foods that disrupt the water-salt metabolism in the body;
an imbalance of potassium and magnesium is another cause of dry mouth, which can be determined in pregnant women (if this is the case, then the balance is established with the help of medications, and the symptom disappears).

Late pregnancy can be accompanied by such a dangerous complication as preeclampsia (late toxicosis). This pathology is also manifested by dryness in the oral cavity at night and daytime, dizziness, bouts of vomiting, edema, and jumps in blood pressure.

Dry mouth at night: elimination

To avoid the unpleasant feeling of dry mouth at night, it is recommended to follow a number of simple tips. These include:

avoiding eating large amounts of sweets and salty foods before going to bed;
accustom yourself to drink at least two liters of liquid per day (it is recommended to drink liquid slowly, in small sips, if you drink all two liters at once, there will be no sense in this);
give up the use of alcoholic beverages before bedtime, as well as the habit of smoking (tobacco, like alcohol, contributes to the drying of the mucous membranes and can lead to complaints of dry mucous membranes);
maintain a high level of humidity in the sleeping room by regularly carrying out wet cleaning of the room or using special devices to increase humidity;
refuse to rinse your mouth with solutions that include alcohol (excluding the need to carry out any therapeutic measures);
eat various fruits and vegetables more often, especially if the appetite suddenly woke up in the evening;
observe the regimen of brushing your teeth, carrying out the procedure twice a day - in the morning after waking up and before going to bed (it is best to use pastes that include fluorine).

Basic recommendations do not always help to cope with xerostomia, especially if the symptom is due to the presence of a disease. Then the patient will need professional treatment, which is possible only after the diagnosis of the disease and can vary significantly depending on the cause found.

Before identifying the causes of dry mouth at night, your doctor may make the following recommendations:

special preparations can be prescribed that improve the processes of salivation;
it is necessary to drink at least a little liquid after each meal (it is better to give preference to plain water);
inhalation procedures with herbs or herbal medicines (for example, Viaton) will help reduce discomfort until the underlying cause is identified and eliminated;
as a seasoning for food, you can use a small amount of chili pepper, which has a stimulating effect on the salivary glands.

If xerostomia occurs at night, it is recommended to consult a doctor to determine the cause of the problem and begin complex treatment.

Dryness of the oral mucosa (xerostomia) is considered by many people to be a minor and easily remedied inconvenience. This is a misconception: a symptom may indicate the presence of serious diseases. We should not forget that saliva performs important functions in the body: it cleans the surface of the teeth from food plaque, inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, normalizes the acid-base balance, dilutes food and helps to break down the carbohydrates contained in it. Chronic saliva deficiency leads to serious health problems.

The causes of xerostomia can be very different. Let's consider the most common of them.

Source: depositphotos.com

Intoxication

The drying effect of alcohol and its decay products (in particular, acetaldehyde) is familiar to every person who has abused alcohol at least once in his life. The result of such immoderation is not only general dehydration of the body, but also inhibition of the function of the salivary glands.

Almost all drugs have a similar effect.

Breathing problems

People who suffer from chronic nasal congestion, as well as sleep apnea or nighttime snoring, often experience dry mouth and sore throat in the morning. Discomfort is due to the fact that breathing through the mouth contributes to too rapid evaporation of fluid from the mucous membranes.

Smoking

The action of nicotine and tobacco combustion products is manifested by a decrease in saliva production. In addition, these substances cause general intoxication of the body and irritation of the mucous membranes upon direct contact with tobacco smoke.

For older smokers, the feeling of dry mouth becomes habitual.

Wrong eating behavior

Drying of the oral mucosa provokes not only salty foods, but also excessively sweet, fatty or spicy foods, that is, any food that requires increased salivation to digest.

Especially harmful in this sense are chips, crackers, fish delicacies “for beer” (dried or dried), various sweet bars, lollipops, chewing sweets and other “sweets”. These products (except for excess salt or sugar) contain flavors that have a negative effect on the functioning of the salivary glands.

Diseases

The list of ailments that can lead to xerostomia is very wide. It includes:

SARS, influenza and other infections accompanied by fever;
diseases that cause diarrhea and, consequently, dehydration;
pathological processes that provoke severe sweating. These include heart attacks, strokes, arthritis, etc.;
conditions that impair the function of the salivary glands (AIDS, cancer);
inflammatory processes in the salivary glands or surrounding tissues, as a result of which the outflow of saliva is disturbed (the ducts of the glands are blocked);
head and neck injuries;
diabetes mellitus (including gestational);
Alzheimer's disease;
Sjögren's syndrome (an autoimmune disease, one of the symptoms of which is the drying of all mucous membranes);
pathology of the digestive tract (stomach, liver, pancreas).

Age changes

Women suffering from violations of thermoregulation during menopause (experiencing the so-called hot flashes) lose a lot of fluid through sweat. This condition can cause a feeling of dry mouth.

With age, the brain's response to signals sent by various organs weakens. This is why very old people often have a false lack of appetite or thirst (while they need water and food). If a person in such a situation does not consume water in the amount necessary for the body, xerostomia occurs.

Dehydration

The body loses fluid during physical exertion. In addition, dry mouth occurs when you stay in the open sun for a long time or in a room with an unfavorable microclimate (for example, when the air in the room is dried out by electric heaters).

Dry mouth - the appearance of dryness of the oral mucosa, which is due to a reduced excretory ability of the salivary glands or its complete absence. In medicine, this pathology is called "xerostomia". In the chronic form of such a violation, it becomes difficult for a person to swallow, eat and talk, which negatively affects the quality of life. Temporary manifestation of such a symptom does not always require treatment, while severe prolonged dry mouth requires immediate medical attention.

Etiology

There are more than enough reasons for the feeling of dry mouth in the morning or during sleep. This symptom can manifest itself in the case of the development of such ailments:

pathology of the oral cavity;
, including alcohol;
gastroenterological disorders;
acute purulent processes;
inflammatory diseases;
surgical pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract.

In addition to the ailments accompanied by this symptom, clinicians identify factors that contribute to the formation of dry mouth:

violation of the sensitivity of the receptors of the tongue;
insufficient amount of fluid consumed;
breathing through the mouth;
violation of the nutritional processes of the oral mucosa;
violation of the water and electrolyte balance of the body or dehydration;
pathology of the endocrine system;
mechanical drying due to exposure to warm air.

Also, dry mouth in the morning can be observed with long-term treatment with certain medications.

Dry mouth is often observed during pregnancy. In this case, the short-term appearance of such a symptom should not cause concern.

As a rule, a decrease in the excretory function of the salivary glands manifests itself in the morning or at night. Snoring, breathing through the mouth and intoxication of the body after excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the appearance of dry mouth in the morning.

Dry mouth at night can occur due to difficulty in nasal breathing, excessive consumption of fatty, spicy and salty foods at night. If this symptom does not go away within a few days, you should consult a doctor.

Quite often, the cause of dry mouth at night is diabetes.

Symptoms

The appearance of dry mouth should not be considered as an independent pathological process. Almost always, this violation is a sign of the development of a certain disease.

Constant dry mouth may be accompanied by such signs of the clinical picture:

The presence of such additional symptoms clearly indicates the development of certain pathological processes in the body. Taking any medicines or traditional medicine, in this case, is strongly not recommended, as this can lead to the development of complications. In addition, unauthorized use of drugs makes the clinical picture blurred, which complicates further diagnosis and can lead to the appointment of improper treatment.

Diagnostics

First of all, a detailed physical examination of the patient is carried out with clarification of complaints, anamnesis of life and medical history. To make the correct diagnosis and identify the etiology of the symptom, the doctor may prescribe the following laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods:

blood sampling to determine the level of glucose;
blood sampling to determine the level of thyroid hormones;
linked immunosorbent assay;
serological studies;
survey radiography;
sialometry;
biopsy and cytology of the salivary glands;
probing the ducts of the salivary glands.

To determine the cause of dry mouth at night or in the morning, the attending physician can after receiving the results of the examination and taking into account the overall clinical picture. Only after that a course of therapy is prescribed.

Treatment

Therapy will depend on the etiological process, which manifested itself in dry mouth. The general program of therapeutic measures may consist of the following:

recovery from the underlying disease;
giving up bad habits, if any;
normalization of nutrition and daily routine;
plentiful drink;
exclusion of alcoholic beverages.

It should be noted that dry mouth during pregnancy does not always allow the use of pharmacological agents, so prior consultation with a doctor is required.

Also, to eliminate this symptom, you can use traditional medicine, but only after a conversation with a doctor and as an addition to the main course of treatment. The method of folk therapy, in this case, involves the following:

regular mouthwash with lemon water;
the use of a decoction of coltsfoot;
lubrication of the surface of the lips with petroleum jelly or hygienic lipstick;
consumption of sugar-free lollipops.

In any case, if dry mouth after sleep is observed almost constantly, then you should consult a doctor for advice, and not try to fix the problem yourself.

Prevention

Since xerostomia is not a separate disease, there are no specific methods of prevention. However, if you apply in practice the general recommendations for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and preventing illnesses, this problem can be eliminated.

timely treatment of all viral and infectious diseases;
proper nutrition - do not abuse fatty, spicy and salty, especially during dinner;
exclusion of bad habits - smoking and drinking alcohol;
the correct position of the body during sleep, which will ensure proper breathing;
avoidance of stress and nervous tension;
undergoing regular medical examinations.

When dry mouth appears in the morning, the reasons may be different, but in any case, it causes discomfort and anxious forebodings.

Quite often, the excitement is not in vain.

This phenomenon can signal serious pathological disorders, and therefore, if it is chronic, you should consult a doctor to find out the reasons.

The essence of the problem

The moisture in the oral cavity is provided by saliva produced by the submandibular, parotid and sublingual () glands.

It softens food, lubricates it, facilitating its further passage, in addition, it protects the body from the penetration of pathogens.

is a violation of salivation and causes discomfort and thirst.

In medicine, this phenomenon is called xerostomia. Morning xerostomia (along with nocturnal) is considered the most common anomaly.

Dryness can be pathological and non-pathological in nature, but is not an independent disease.

In the first case, it is considered a symptom of some disease that disrupts the secretory functions of the glands, and in the second, it is a reaction of the body to external influences or some internal physiological processes that are not associated with pathologies.

According to the duration of manifestation, dryness can be one-time (short-term or long-term), periodic or chronic.

Symptomatic features

Xerostomia usually has a specific set of symptoms:

increased viscosity of saliva and stickiness of the oral mucosa;
constant thirst, and dry mouth after drinking disappears only for a short time;
irritation, burning sensation and intense itching of the mucous membrane;
pronounced lip border, cracking of the lips, cracks in the corners of the mouth;
dryness and redness of the tongue, rough lingual surface, itching and burning on the tongue, difficulty in moving the tongue, chewing and swallowing movements;
impaired perception of the taste of food;
dry throat, discomfort when swallowing;
hoarseness and hoarseness of voice, slurred speech;
dryness and perspiration in the nasal cavity;
frequent urination;

Physiological etiology

Dry mouth in the morning most often has a non-pathological etiology and is caused by exogenous factors not associated with internal pathologies. The following common causes of this phenomenon can be noted:

Morning hangover syndrome caused by intoxication of the body as a result of excessive alcohol consumption the day before.
Smoking (most common cause).
Breathing through the mouth during sleep, which causes the mucous membrane to dry out due to the parted mouth throughout the night. This phenomenon is typical for nasal congestion and the presence of defects in the nasal septum.
Snore. It works in a similar way to mouth breathing. Dry mouth in the morning due to snoring is very common among older adults.
Insufficient drinking regime. The lack of moisture has a particularly strong effect in the hot season, in an arid climate, with high dust content in the air.
Improper nutrition - passion for excessively salty foods, dry foods, smoked meats and marinades.
In women, xerostomia can become a manifestation of menopause.
Side effects of medications such as antibiotic and antifungal tablets, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, sedatives, antihistamines, bronchodilators, pain medications, anti-acne medications, diuretics, diarrhea and vomiting medications.
Radiation therapy of the head and neck region.
Neurological factor caused by anxiety, fear, panic, stress.

Why dry mouth in the morning - pathological causes

You should not think that morning dry mouth is not fraught with serious danger.

Unfortunately, quite often it becomes a symptom of various pathologies, and sometimes the initial sign of a disease, for which measures can be taken in a timely manner.

That is why, xerostomia should be taken seriously and if it appears frequently, as well as the presence of other signs, you should go to the doctor to find out the true causes.

The pathological mechanism of xerostomia can cause the following reasons:

General intoxication of the body and increased body temperature in any disease.
Diseases of a viral nature that can cause dysfunction of the salivary glands, a violation of the circulatory system. In children, a common example is mumps.
Systemic pathologies. The most prominent cause is type II diabetes. Dry mouth can be caused by such diseases: anemia, immune pathologies (HIV, AIDS), Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases, stroke, Sjögren's syndrome, arterial hypotension, rheumatic type arthritis.
Diseases that cause dehydration. Almost all diseases with such manifestations as excessive sweating, diarrhea, vomiting, chills can be attributed to this category.
Direct impact on the glandular tissues and excretory channels of the gland, including the deposition of stones in the salivary ducts.
Destruction of nerve fibers and glandular tissue as a result of traumatic or surgical exposure.
Dental problems, including damage during dental surgery.

Xerostomia and other symptoms

According to what symptomatic background accompanies xerostomia, it is possible to identify such diseases:

A number of gastrointestinal pathologies (for example, gastritis) are accompanied by dry mouth, heartburn, belching, a feeling of bitterness, a whitish or yellowish coating on the tongue.
A similar symptomatic complex is observed with biliary dyskinesia, gallbladder pathologies, duodenitis, pancreatitis.
Dry mouth, a feeling of bitterness, pain in the right side are characteristic of cholecystitis and cholelithiasis.
Xerostomia and bitterness in the mouth can be felt with amenorrhea, neuroses and other neurotic disorders.
Inflammatory reactions on the gums, in addition to the above signs, are characterized by a burning tongue and a metallic taste.
With pathologies of the thyroid gland, a burning sensation and a white or yellowish coating on the tongue are added.
Dry mouth in the morning and severe dizziness can be an alarming sign of arterial hypotension, and failure to take therapeutic measures threatens with a hypotensive crisis and shock.
Xerostomia, constant thirst and frequent urge to urinate can be signs of diabetes. At the same time, these symptoms are completely independent of external conditions - air temperature and humidity.
Dry mouth, peeling of the lips, cracks in the corners of the mouth are symptoms of glandular cheilitis, i.e. pathology of the lips.
The syndrome of intestinal irritation and intestinal dysbacteriosis is expressed by the joint manifestation of xerostomia, general weakness, pain in the abdomen, diarrhea.
An autoimmune disease in the form of Sjögren's syndrome is typical for women after menopause. Dryness is felt not only in the oral cavity, but also on a number of other mucous membranes - the throat, eyes, vagina. The disease is dangerous for its progressive nature.

Features of xerostomia during pregnancy

During the bearing of a child in women, the secretory ability of the salivary glands increases, which increases the volume of saliva produced. But even during this period, dryness of the mucous membrane is possible for the following reasons:

When xerostomia is combined with a metallic taste in the mouth, it may indicate the development of gestational diabetes. You can clarify the diagnosis by conducting a blood test for glucose.
Excessive sweating caused by hot weather and stuffy indoors.
Dehydration of the body with frequent urination and insufficient fluid intake.
Violation of the water-salt balance as a result of excessive consumption of pickles, sweets or hot spices.
Lack of potassium in the body and excess magnesium.

How to deal with the problem

If there are warning signs of dry mouth, you should visit a medical facility.

A visit to the clinic can begin with a dentist or therapist.

To diagnose a pathological cause, laboratory tests are performed (biochemical and general blood and urine tests, hormonal analysis, serological studies) and instrumental diagnostics (ultrasound, fluoroscopy, computed tomography).

After making a diagnosis, identifying the cause and differentiating the disease, the treatment of the underlying disease that causes the manifestation in question is prescribed. Symptomatic treatment can only be an addition to basic therapy.

The danger is also non-pathological dry mouth with its frequent occurrence. In this case, the risk of developing gum disease (in particular gingivitis), tonsillitis increases. The "door" for infection is opened, which is usually stopped by saliva.

To prevent dry mouth, you should first of all give up bad habits, reduce the consumption of salty and fried foods, crackers, etc.

It is necessary to increase the drinking regime by introducing as a rule the use of 200 ml of mineral water before meals.

The room must maintain normal humidity and temperature.

A positive result is achieved by lubricating the lips with a special balm and using a mouth sprayer.

Dry mouth in the morning can be a symptom of a serious illness. It is necessary to pay attention to this phenomenon, and in case of its chronic manifestation, it is necessary to consult a doctor. Sometimes it is xerostomia that becomes the initial sign of a dangerous pathology and helps to identify it at an early stage. Complete lack of treatment can cause undesirable consequences.