If dry mouth occurs when you are nervous or have lost a lot of fluid, this is normal. But if the feeling of constant thirst bothers you for no apparent reason, you need to see a doctor.

Usually, the brain uses the feeling of thirst to signal that the body is dehydrated and needs to replenish the lost fluids. Normally, this sensation disappears after the water balance in the body is restored. If thirst and dry mouth are constantly disturbing, for no apparent reason, this is a sign of illness.

The phenomenon when you drink a lot of fluids, but can not get drunk, is called polydipsia in medicine - this is a symptom of many diseases. Dry mouth is often associated with xerostomia, which is what doctors call a condition where not enough saliva is produced in the mouth. Often these phenomena accompany each other and have similar causes. Less commonly, xerostomia, that is, dry mouth, exists without a feeling of thirst. Simply rinsing out your mouth is enough to temporarily improve your well-being.

Saliva plays a big role in maintaining oral health, so with persistent dry mouth, various problems arise:

burning or soreness in the mouth;
cracks and peeling on the lips;
bad breath;
reduction or distortion of taste sensations;
oral infections, such as oral thrush or other types of stomatitis;
caries and inflammation of the gums;
difficulty swallowing food (dysphagia);
hoarseness of voice.

If you have dry mouth, it is important to take good care of your teeth to reduce the risk of dental disease.

Why do you want to drink?

Dehydration- the most common reason for wanting to drink. Dehydration develops when you lose more fluids than you get from food and drink. This is possible in hot weather or during active physical work, when you sweat a lot. Sometimes dehydration develops against the background of an illness. Especially common causes of dehydration are intestinal infections with vomiting and diarrhea or other diseases with high fever, especially in children. Dehydration can greatly impair well-being, reduce performance, cause headaches and drowsiness. Severe dehydration is dangerous to health and life. Learn more about how to protect yourself from dehydration.
Food, especially salty and spicy can cause extreme thirst and dry mouth. Sometimes thirst is caused by simple overeating. Therefore, if you are thirsty all the time, remember what you ate the day before.
Medications drugs such as antidepressants, antihistamines, diuretics, and some herbal preparations sometimes cause dry mouth and thirst. These medicines can affect the salivary glands, inhibiting their function, or increase the body's excretion of water. Speak with your prescriber to change your medication if it causes you uncomfortable symptoms.
Diabetes accompanied by polydipsia, as well as the need to urinate frequently, increased fatigue, and sometimes pruritus. Dry mouth and thirst are often the first symptoms of diabetes, when a person is not yet aware of their problems. In diabetes, the body does not absorb glucose (sugar), which is needed for energy. A high concentration of glucose causes the kidneys to excrete more urine, which increases fluid loss and causes a desire to constantly drink.
diabetes insipidus- a rare disease associated with a violation of the kidneys, which begin to secrete too much urine, so you constantly want to drink. The disease often develops in children and young people and is associated either with a lack of a hormone called antidiuretic, or with a decrease in the sensitivity of the kidneys to it. The cause of the disease, for example, may be an injury or a brain tumor.
Pregnancy very often accompanied by a feeling of thirst, as well as frequent urination. As a rule, these symptoms are associated with normal changes in the body of a woman during childbearing and do not require concern. However, in rare cases, they may indicate the development of gestational diabetes. Therefore, all women should monitor their blood sugar levels several times during pregnancy. To do this, you need to contact the antenatal clinic.

Causes of dry mouth

The causes of dry mouth can be all of the above diseases and conditions, as well as some others that usually do not lead to the development of thirst, but only cause a desire to constantly moisten the lips or oral mucosa.

Nasal congestion with a runny nose, after a nasal tamponade (see "Nosebleeds") and in other conditions makes you breathe through the mouth. As a result, the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and oropharynx dries up, especially in rooms with central heating or in hot weather.
Radiation therapy head or neck area can lead to inflammation of the salivary glands and dry mouth.
Sjögren's syndrome- a chronic disease of the immune system, when it begins to destroy its own glands: salivary, lacrimal and some others. Symptoms are severe dryness in the mouth, in the nose, a feeling of sand in the eyes and the absence of tears. The treatment and diagnosis of this pathology is usually involved.
mumps (mumps)- an infectious disease of the salivary glands, traditionally considered a childhood infection. During illness, the production of saliva can be disrupted, which causes a feeling of dry mouth.

Dry mouth and thirst: what to do?

As a rule, the feeling of constant thirst and dryness in the oral cavity quickly disappear under the influence of treatment of the underlying disease that caused these symptoms. However, if it is impossible to get rid of the cause, or treatment takes a long time, you will need symptomatic therapy, that is, measures that can make you feel better.

For example, the following tips can help you cope with dry mouth:

increase your fluid intake- as often as possible, take 1-2 sips of cool water or unsweetened drinks;
suck on sugar-free candy or chew gum- it stimulates the salivary glands;
keep ice cubes in your mouth- the ice will melt slowly and moisten the mucous membrane;
avoid alcohol(including alcohol-based mouthwashes), caffeine, and smoking can all exacerbate your complaints.

If the above measures do not help, a doctor, more often a dentist, may suggest artificial saliva substitutes. These are products in the form of gels, sprays or lozenges that moisturize the oral cavity. Saliva substitutes are used on demand, that is, when there is discomfort in the mouth, including before and during meals.

If your dry mouth is caused by radiation therapy or Sjögren's syndrome, your doctor may prescribe saliva stimulants, such as pilocarpine. Like all medicines, pilocarpine has its own indications and contraindications, so it is not recommended to take it without a doctor's prescription.

Which doctor should I contact with dry mouth and thirst?

If you are constantly thirsty and worried about the feeling of dry mouth, consult a general practitioner -. He will conduct an initial diagnosis and will be able to name the most likely causes of your complaints. After the examination, the therapist can refer you to narrow specialists:

- if you suspect diabetes or other hormonal problems;
- if dry mouth is caused by problems in the mouth or diseases of the salivary glands; the dentist prescribes saliva substitutes and means to moisturize the oral cavity, and also deals with oral hygiene and treats concomitant diseases with xerostomia.

You can choose good doctors on your own using the NaPopravku service by clicking on the links above or by visiting the section "Who Treats It".

Localization and translation prepared by site. NHS Choices provided the original content for free. It is available from www.nhs.uk. NHS Choices has not been reviewed, and takes no responsibility for, the localization or translation of its original content

All materials on the site have been checked by doctors. However, even the most reliable article does not allow taking into account all the features of the disease in a particular person. Therefore, the information posted on our website cannot replace a visit to the doctor, but only complements it. Articles are prepared for informational purposes and are advisory in nature.

Dry mouth is a common complaint at any doctor's appointment. It can be a symptom of both local disorders in the oral cavity and serious diseases of the internal organs. With a one-time occurrence of such a sensation, you should not worry. But complaints of constant dry mouth are a reason to visit a doctor and find out the reasons.

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Common signs of dry mouth

In medical terminology, dry mouth is called xerostomia. This is a separate symptom, which is characterized by a pathological disruption of the salivary glands. In simple terms, with xerostomia, the process of salivation decreases or even stops. Since saliva is a natural antiseptic in the oral cavity, the cessation of its production is fraught with serious consequences.

What are the signs of persistent dry mouth? The person usually feels:

dryness and roughness of the tongue, which seems to stick to the palate;
constant thirst;
dryness of the mucous membrane of the lips, cracks on them;
perspiration and burning in the nasopharynx;
itching on the tongue and in the corners of the lips;
change in taste sensations;
difficulty chewing and swallowing food;
hoarseness of voice.

The presence of all signs at the same time is not necessary. The constant presence of several of them is enough to suspect some kind of disturbance in the functioning of the body.

Why dry mouth appears - possible causes

The oral mucosa reacts to any functional disorders and pathological changes in the human body. She is the first to "meet" viruses, bacteria, microbes that seek to penetrate inside from the external environment. One of the signals is dry mouth and associated discomfort.

The reasons for the appearance of such a symptom can be conditionally divided into two groups - not associated and associated with diseases of the internal organs. Causes of dry mouth, which are not pathological, can be called:

insufficient consumption of drinking water (the norm per day for an adult is up to 3 liters);
systematic use of highly salty foods;
long-term use of drugs, especially antibiotics and antidepressants;
sleeping with your mouth open due to poor nasal breathing or weakness of the jaw muscles;
frequent and prolonged rinsing of the mouth and throat with antiseptics;
chronic smoking and alcohol abuse;
age-related changes in the body (menopause, aging).

If at least one of the causes is present, then by eliminating it, you can get rid of unpleasant dry mouth even without special treatment. Long-term use of drugs or smoking can permanently affect the functioning of the salivary glands.

In almost half of the cases, the cause of dryness lies in chronic or acute diseases, which a person sometimes does not know about.

Infectious diseases of the respiratory tract

SARS, tonsillitis, influenza, dysentery due to fever cause dry mucous membranes. Large loss of fluid through sweating and diarrhea contribute to this.

Diseases of the salivary glands

Mumps, sialolithiasis, sialadenitis, sialostasis cause impaired salivation, complete cessation of secretion, inflammation and soreness of the salivary glands.

Endocrine pathologies

Diabetes mellitus with impaired insulin production (type 2) or its complete absence (type 1) leads to a constant feeling of thirst, dry mouth, and frequent urination. Dry mouth can be the first sign of incipient diabetes or a pre-diabetic condition.

An increase in thyroid hormones leads to a disease called thyrotoxicosis. Metabolic processes are disturbed, fluid is quickly excreted from the body, which leads to tachycardia, sweating, insomnia, vomiting and constant dry mouth.

Malignant formations

Neoplasms in the mouth in most cases affect the parotid and submandibular salivary glands, which leads to a violation of the production of salivary secretions. Receiving chemotherapy and radiation treatment also affect the mucous membrane of the mouth, causing burning, soreness, dryness, unpleasant aftertaste, changes in taste sensations.

Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Gastritis, ulcers, reflux esophagitis, pancreatitis in the acute period manifest themselves as pain and indigestion. Side symptoms can be discomfort in the mouth - burning, dryness, bitter and sour taste.

Systemic violations

These include: scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, stroke. They cause functional disturbances in the work of all human organs and systems, including the salivary glands. A person may experience dry mouth, changes in the surface of the tongue, itching of the mucous membranes, swelling of the salivary glands, saliva viscosity, difficulty in swallowing food.

Pathological disorders in the work of internal organs require complex treatment prescribed by a doctor. Dry mouth in this case is only a manifestation of the disease, so it goes away on its own after treatment.

What other symptoms accompany dry mouth

Dry mouth sensation rarely occurs as a separate symptom. Most often, it is accompanied by several other manifestations, which together indicate the presence of pathology. The patient may complain of weakness, dizziness, plaque on the tongue, bitter taste, nausea, frequent urination.

Weakness

A common non-specific symptom, but clearly indicative of health problems. It usually manifests itself against the background of dry mouth at the initial stage of any disease, which allows timely treatment. What diseases can be suspected? First of all, disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system, infectious diseases accompanied by intoxication. Also, weakness and discomfort in the mouth can accompany blood diseases (leukemia, leukemia, lymphogranulomatosis), especially in the case of iron deficiency anemia. Oncology and the accompanying chemotherapy greatly weaken the body, so a person always feels weak.

Dizziness

A symptom indicating a violation of blood circulation in the brain. As a result, coordination of movements deteriorates and it is difficult for a person to stand firmly on his feet. The thermoregulation of the body is disturbed and dehydration occurs, which may result in dry mouth. This manifestation occurs secondarily and not always, therefore it is not a specific symptom of brain diseases. The doctor should be informed, first of all, about dizziness, their frequency, but do not forget to mention dryness in the oral cavity in connection with this.

Plaque on the tongue

Plaque on a white tongue usually indicates diseases of the digestive tract: gastritis, duodenitis, reflux, ulcers, colitis. In acute form, they occur with pain, impaired stool, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite. The symptoms are often accompanied by dry mouth with a constant coating on the tongue. In this case, it is necessary to treat the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, and then the discomfort in the mouth will pass by itself.

bitter taste

Bitterness in the mouth, combined with dryness of the mucous membrane, indicates a violation of the biliary system or the reflux of the contents of the stomach into the esophagus. A bitter taste usually appears on an empty stomach or immediately after eating. Diseases that lead to such a symptom are pancreatitis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, gastritis, peptic ulcer, reflux esophagitis.

Nausea

Nausea often accompanies dry mouth. In combination, these symptoms can mean the usual overeating or the abuse of junk food. But it can also be a signal of serious digestive problems, intestinal infections, poisoning. Additionally, there will be pain, vomiting, diarrhea, fever. An unequivocal diagnosis only in the presence of nausea and dryness cannot be made.

Frequent urination to the toilet

Frequent urination and dry mouth accompany two serious pathologies - inflammation of the kidneys and diabetes. With kidney disease, the water balance is disturbed, which leads to the constant filling of the bladder. Urine may turn pink due to blood impurities. With uncompensated diabetes, blood sugar rises, thirst appears, dry mouth, a person drinks a lot. As a result, the kidneys try to remove excess fluid from the body and "drive" to the toilet. Thus, if dry mouth appeared against the background of frequent urination, you should immediately consult a doctor.

The timing of the onset of dry mouth and accompanying symptoms is also important for making a correct diagnosis.

An unpleasant sensation can occur only in the morning, after waking up. In most cases, this indicates problems directly in the oral cavity, such as dental disease or stomatitis. After an eve party or sleeping with your mouth open in the morning, dryness can also be a concern. Too dry air in the apartment leads to overdrying of the mucosa. In such conditions, everything passes quickly and no longer worries.

A person can wake up at night from the fact that the tongue is stuck to the sky. After drinking water, the condition is normalized. Then this is a consequence of eating food before bedtime or dry air in the room. But if an unpleasant symptom bothers you every night, you should think about it. Most likely, this is a signal of a violation in the work of the salivary glands due to diseases. In this case, you need to observe the frequency of occurrence of dryness, and then consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Why "dry" during pregnancy

Dry mouth often indicates a disease. But there is an exception, which is pregnancy. During this period, changes and restructurings occur in the woman's body, which are accompanied by all sorts of unpleasant symptoms. In addition, most women in the first months of pregnancy suffer from toxicosis. It is always accompanied by nausea and dryness of the oral mucosa.

Dryness can also occur with insufficient water intake. Due to the pressure of the enlarged uterus on the bladder, you have to go to the toilet often. And if you do not compensate for the fluid in the body, then dehydration occurs. It is not recommended for a woman in position to eat a lot of salty and sweet foods, which remove fluid from the body and cause a feeling of thirst.

Carrying a child in the summer creates additional problems. When it's hot outside and in the apartment, a woman's sweating increases, the mucous membranes dry out. Therefore, it is very important to drink plain water often and little by little. If dryness in the mouth is temporary, appears periodically, then you should not worry.

You need to sound the alarm if she becomes a constant companion of a woman. This may indicate an exacerbation of chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys. It is also worth being careful with toxicosis in the later stages of gestation. A woman may experience severe nausea, vomiting, swelling, increased pressure and body temperature. This condition in medical practice is called gestosis. During this period, there is a threat to the health of the unborn baby, so it is important to consult a doctor in time.

Treatment and prevention of dry mouth

Dry mouth seems to be completely harmless. Actually, it is not. With a constant appearance, it indicates systemic diseases or pathologies in the oral cavity. It is important to consult a doctor in time, get diagnosed and cure the disease. Depending on the accompanying symptoms, you can contact a therapist, dentist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist.

There is no specific treatment for dry mouth. It is necessary to treat a disease that manifests itself in this way. But it is worth taking preventive measures. First of all, you should give up bad habits (smoking, alcohol), which violate the microflora of the larynx and cause bitterness and dry mouth. The use of harmful products, especially with salt, removes fluid from the body and dries out all the mucous membranes. Do not forget about the daily rate of water, which moisturizes not only the oral cavity, but also improves the condition of the skin, tones the entire body.

Dry mouth can be a side effect of taking medications (antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, psychotropic, diuretic). If it is impossible to cancel the drugs, then you need to consult a doctor about changing the dosage or selecting an analogue. Usually, after the completion of the course of treatment, an unpleasant symptom disappears.

Daily dryness of the mucosa in the morning indicates a violation of nasal breathing, snoring. It is worth contacting an otolaryngologist for a consultation. Perhaps the problem is a deviated septum, polyps, or chronic sinusitis. Medical and sometimes surgical treatment may be needed.

By itself, the feeling of dryness in the mouth is rare. Usually it is an indicator of too dry air in the room. The problem is solved thanks to the humidifier and the correct drinking regimen.

Pregnant women need to be especially careful with such an unpleasant sensation. Self-medication in this case is not allowed. At the first appearance of dry mouth, you should consult a doctor to exclude any diseases.

When a person sleeps, his salivary glands work less actively. Saliva does not protect the tongue, cheeks, mucous membranes, and gums from dehydration. For this reason, after a night, many feel a slight dry mouth - xerostomia. And it is worth drinking water, and the unpleasant symptom disappears.

But things don't always turn out so positively. Dryness can appear due to changes in the properties of saliva, insufficient production of it, intoxication of the body, impaired sensitivity of mucosal receptors, and even inflammation of the brain. Therefore, in cases where the symptom manifests itself often, you need to run to the clinic to undergo an examination and identify the cause of the disease.

Features of the clinical picture

In addition to dry mouth, you can feel a burning sensation of the tongue and throat, soreness. Observe redness, swelling, cracks in the corners of the lips. Food starts sticking to the sky. And if the secretion of saliva is reduced for a long time, a white coating appears on the tongue, the gum tissue becomes inflamed and reddens, ulcers form on the mucous membrane. The development of caries is not excluded.

Complications appear due to the growth of the population of opportunistic microorganisms. They live on human skin all the time, but are activated only under suitable conditions. One of these is the lack of saliva, which inhibits their activity.

Symptoms are not always pronounced. The degree of their manifestation depends on the severity of the disease. With the mildest form of discomfort, there is practically no, the shell of the mouth is slightly moistened. In the second stage, plaque appears in the mouth, the mucous membrane dries periodically, more often at night. Thirst and frequent urge to urinate may torment. The third degree is characterized by acute pain. The foci of inflammation on the mucosa are well distinguishable.

What is the danger

Saliva promotes the swallowing of food, washes away some of the microorganisms and naturally prevents tooth decay. When its production is reduced, the risk of inflammation of the mucous membranes, gums, and teeth increases. Can develop thrush, stomatitis, chronic tonsillitis, gingivitis. Therefore, with prolonged or frequent dry mouth, it is urgent to eliminate the cause of the pathology and improve the functioning of the salivary glands.

Why is my mouth dry

Xerostomia is a dry mouth that occurs for one of three reasons:

Due to insufficient hydration by saliva.
Due to the change in the qualities of the saliva itself.
Saliva is secreted, but the body perceives the oral cavity as unmoisturized due to a violation of the sensitivity of the mucous membrane.

Why dries after sleep

The appearance of dry mouth in the morning should not be scary. When a person sleeps, the glands practically do not produce saliva, and the facial muscles are weakened. Not everyone, but many people open their mouths. Air enters the mucous membrane, which is practically not washed by saliva. The result may be a feeling of dryness. The duration of the phenomenon is short: usually, after washing, all unpleasant symptoms disappear.

The microclimate in the bedroom also matters. If it is too warm and dry, the tissues in the mouth dry faster and harder. That is why it is recommended to place the bed at a distance from heating appliances.

Morning dry mouth is due to a cup of strong coffee, dry breakfast. And in women, such a symptom can develop even against the background of menopause.

Why does it dry while sleeping

Nocturnal xerostomia is explained in the same way. But also a symptom can occur against the background of a serious disease of the nervous system. When the salivary glands stop receiving signals that the oral cavity needs to be moistened. Therefore, the dryness that haunts from night to night and prevents falling asleep should alert.

No saliva in the mouth: reasons

Dryness can be felt not only for an external reason (breathing with an open mouth, sleeping close to the battery, snoring), but also due to internal pathologies:

Dehydration. Both with an elementary lack of water, and because of its rapid loss. The fluid leaves the body with prolonged diarrhea, vomiting, profuse sweating, for example, against the background of elevated body temperature.
Diabetes. If xerostomia is accompanied by frequent urges in the middle of the night, then the diagnosis is obvious.
Diseases of the respiratory system. A person breathes more often through the mouth, and not through the nose, which is why the mucous membrane can dry out. Nasal breathing is also disturbed with the common cold.
Taking medication. Any medication can cause dry mouth. Especially those that provoke dehydration - diuretic and hypotensive.
Brain diseases, CNS. Violating the regulation of salivation is capable of neuritis of the branches of the trigeminal nerve, Alzheimer's disease, stroke.
intoxication. Abuse of alcohol, tobacco and drugs.
Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract. The most obvious are gastritis, ulcers, hepatitis, pancreatitis.

Dryness around the mouth

If the tissues dry out not only in the mouth, but also outside, this is the first sign of grandular cheilitis. A disease that is characterized by disruption of the salivary glands at the border of the red border of the lips. The disease is common among people over 30 years of age and the elderly. In 80% of cases, only the lower lip is involved in the pathological process.

Patients rarely go to the doctor in the early stages of cheilitis, as the symptoms at this point are mild. Then the disease develops and the patient's state of health deteriorates sharply: the skin around the mouth becomes covered with erosions, the tongue becomes dry, the corners crack. The sufferer begins to lick his lips, which aggravates the condition even more. The cracks come together and form one large wound. Pathology can be cured using surgical methods or laser therapy.

Dryness and associated symptoms

Oral dehydration cannot be treated alone. It is necessary to look for those signs that accompany it. They are not always available, but if present and properly diagnosed, they help to establish the true cause of dryness of the mucous membrane and burning sensation in the mouth.