Xerostomia
1171509
223189284
2008-07-02T23:36:09Z
68.61.199.19
/* Causes */
{{dablink|"Cotton mouth" redirects here. For the Cottonmouth snake, see [[Agkistrodon piscivorus]].}}
{{DiseaseDisorder infobox |
Name = Xerostomia |
ICD10 = {{ICD10|K|11|7|k|00}}, {{ICD10|R|68|2|r|50}} |
ICD9 = {{ICD9|527.7}} |
ICDO = |
Image = |
Caption = |
OMIM = |
MedlinePlus = |
eMedicineSubj = |
eMedicineTopic = |
DiseasesDB = 17880 |
}}
'''Xerostomia''' is the medical term for a '''dry mouth''' due to a lack of [[saliva]]. Xerostomia is sometimes [[colloquial]]ly called pasties, cottonmouth, or doughmouth.
Xerostomia can cause difficulty in [[Speech communication|speech]] and [[eating]]. It also leads to [[halitosis]] and a dramatic rise in the number of [[Dental caries|cavities]], as the protective effect of saliva's remineralizing the enamel is no longer present, and can make the [[mucosa]] of the mouth more vulnerable to infection. Notably, a symptom of [[methamphetamine]] use usually called "[[meth mouth]]" is largely caused by xerostomia which is worsend by the fact that methamphetamine at recreational doses can cause tight clenching of the jaw, [[bruxism|bruxism (compulsive grinding of the teeth)]], or a repetitive 'chewing' movement like the user is chewing without food in the mouth. Also people who prolong or 'binge' use of methamphetamine sometimes do not give the same amount priority to hygiene as they would without the methamphetamine.
==Causes==
It may be a [[sign (medical)|sign]] of an underlying [[disease]], such as [[Sjögren's syndrome]], poorly controlled [[diabetes]], or [[Eaton-Lambert syndrome]], but this is not always so.
Other causes of insufficient saliva include [[anxiety]], [[medication]]s, or the consumption of [[alcohol|alcoholic beverages]], [[Physical trauma|physical trauma]] to the [[salivary gland]]s or their ducts or nerves, [[dehydration]] caused by lack of sufficient fluids, excessive breathing through the mouth, previous [[radiation]] therapy, and also a natural result of aging, other conditions or factors not mentioned also can have the ability to cause dry mouth. The vast majority of elderly individuals will suffer xerostomia to some degree. Playing or exercising a long time outside on a hot day can cause the salivary glands to become dry as the bodily fluids are concentrated elsewhere. Xerostomia is a common side-effect of various drugs, such as [[Cannabis]], and can also occur with other drugs and herbs that are smoked because smoke can dry out the mouth, [[amphetamine|amphetamines]], [[antihistamines]], some [[antidepressants]], and there are other drugs that may cause xerostomia.
==Treatment==
Treatment involves finding any correctable causes and fixing those if possible. In many cases it is not possible to correct the xerostomia itself, and treatment focuses on relieving the symptoms and preventing cavities. Patients who have endured chemotherapy usually suffer from this post- treatment.
Patients with xerostomia should avoid the use of [[decongestant]]s and [[antihistamine]]s, and pay careful attention to [[oral hygiene]]. Sipping [[sugar]]less fluids frequently, chewing [[xylitol]]-containing [[chewing gum|gum]]<ref>Jensen JL, Langberg CW (1997): Temporary hyposalivation induced by radiation therapy in a child. Tidsskr Nor Loegeforen 21:3077-9</ref>, and using a [[carboxymethyl cellulose]] saliva substitute as a [[mouthwash]] may help. [[Aquoral]] may be prescribed to treat xerostomia. Non-systemic relief can be found using an oxidized glycerol triesters treatment used to coat the mouth. Drinking water when there is another cause of the xerostomia besides dehydration may bring little to no relief and can even make the dry mouth more uncomfortable.
==References==
<references/>
==External links==
*[http://www.drymouth.info Drymouth.info - Detailed Database on medications that cause Dry Mouth]
*[http://users.forthnet.gr/ath/abyss/Dry-Mouth-Xerostomia.htm Xerostomia (Dry Mouth). Causes, symptoms & health risks - Treatments & natural remedies]
*[http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/dental/xerostomia.htm Oral Cancer Foundation]
*[http://www.uic.edu/classes/peri/peri343/xerost/xerost1.htm University of Illinois at Chicago]
*[http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions/DryMouthXerostomia/DryMouth.htm NIH]
*[http://www.sjogrens.org/syndrome/dry_mouth.html Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation page on Dry Mouth]
{{Oral pathology}}
{{General symptoms and signs}}
[[Category:Medical terms]]
[[Category:Symptoms]]
[[da:Xerostomi]]
[[de:Mundtrockenheit]]
[[es:Xerostomía]]
[[fa:خشکی دهان]]
[[fr:Xérostomie]]
[[it:Xerostomia]]
[[nl:Xerostomie]]
[[ja:口腔乾燥症]]
[[pt:Xerostomia]]
[[fi:Kserostomia]]
[[sv:Muntorrhet]]