What Causes Xerostomia?
Xerostomia, the clinical term for having a dry mouth due to the lack of presence of saliva in the oral cavity, is a condition that is suffered by men, women and children all over the world, sometimes on a chronic basis. What causes this condition? What could make a perfectly normal bodily function go wrong?
There are a number of known clinical causes of Xerostomia, and as medicine is never an exact science there could be equally as many unknown. If you are suffering from Xerostomia, consult your doctor. There are a number of treatments available to make living with Xerostomia more comfortable.
Possible Causes of Xerostomia
1) Medication. There are a number of medications that are known to have Xerostomia as a side effect, including (but not limited to) antihistamines, decongestants, antidepressants, anticholinergics, anorexiants, antihypertensives, antipsychotics, anti-Parkinson agents, diuretics, sedatives, antiemetics (medications intended to help with nausea and vomiting), antianxiety agents, analgesics, antidiarrheals, bronchodilators and skeletal muscle relaxants. If you are undergoing or have recently undergone chemotherapy your Xerostomia may be related to the chemicals used in the treatment as well.
2) Secondary to disease. The disease most commonly associated with Xerostomia is Sjögren's syndrome, a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory disease in which the immune system attacks the lacrimal and salivary glands (the glands that produce tears and saliva). This condition is diagnosed most frequently in menopausal women but has been found in men and, on rare occasion, children as well. Other diseases associated with Xerostomia are diabetes (particularly if it is uncontrolled), sarcoidosis (an immune disorder that causes granulomas to form in many of the body's organs), amyloidosis (a disorder causing protein deposits in various organs), HIV, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and nephritis, among others. It has also presented itself in many patients with psychological conditions as well.
3) Trauma to the salivary glands. On some occasions this may simply prove to be a temporary condition while the salivary glands heal.
4) Age. As a person ages their salivary glands cease to function with maximum efficiency, and Xerostomia often results
5) Localized, focused radiation such as that used to treat tumors of the head and neck.
6) Smoking or alcohol consumption. Smoking or drinking, particularly in excessive quantities can cause or aggravate what would otherwise be a mild Xerostomia. Patients with chronic Xerostomia are urged to steer clear of these activities.
7) Excessive breathing through the mouth. This may seem like common sense, but there are many people who do not realize the frequency with which they breathe through their mouth and the effect that it can have on their salivary glands.
8) Dehydration. When the body dehydrates tears and saliva are often the first bodily fluids to halt secretion in an attempt to retain precious fluids. When the patient is rehydrated the Xerostomia will go away on its own.
As you can see, there are a number of possible causes of Xerostomia, some more severe and chronic than others. Anyone suffering from Xerostomia should see their physician to decide on the course of treatment best suited to their needs.
Symptoms of Xerostomia
Symptoms of Xerostomia
Treating Xerostomia
Treating Xerostomia
What Causes Xerostomia
What Causes Xerostomia
