Consistency is one of the characteristics of saliva, which few people think about for no reason. Most often, a person learns that it can change during a period of a disease. There can be many reasons for the formation of viscous and sticky saliva, and most often this indicates the presence of health problems. Treatment, however, depends on what became the prerequisite for the development of viscosity. In the article we will analyze these points in more detail. So why is saliva viscous?
Why does saliva change
Saliva is needed for enveloping food and easily moving food along the digestive tract. Biologically active substances and enzymes that are in saliva take an active part in metabolism, and also help to break down food already in the oral cavity.
In addition, the liquid biological medium contains lysozyme. Thanks to this substance, saliva has antibacterial properties and prevents infection of the body.
Depending on the time of day, it is produced in different volumes. For example, during the day, the amount of enzyme increases, and during sleep decreases several times. Changing functions is possible due to the different consistency of saliva and its composition.
To understand the reason for viscous saliva in the mouth is possible only in laboratory conditions, because the clinical picture of diseases can be different, and the symptoms depend on the nature and type of provoking factors.
Saliva is normal
In the body of a healthy person, up to two liters of salivary fluid are produced per day. Her tasks include processes to facilitate chewing, speaking and disinfection. The perception of the taste of food also depends on the degree of processing of its salivary fluid. In order for all these processes to proceed normally, salivation should be sufficient, and the enzyme itself should be transparent or slightly cloudy, liquid and not noticeable to humans. Violation of the consistency immediately becomes noticeable: discomfort is felt, speech becomes incoherent, problems with digestion, teeth and oral mucous membranes begin.
What should alert
Most often, patient complaints are related to the fact that in the morning hours, saliva becomes not as usual: sticky, thick or foamy. At these moments, you can observe the following symptoms:
- dry mouth
- pinching the tongue;
- persistent thirst;
- impaired taste perception;
- hoarseness, constantly tickling in the throat;
- difficulty in chewing and swallowing;
- inflammation of the gums or oral cavity;
- cracks appear on the lips;
- plaque on the teeth.
These symptoms are the result of changes in the consistency and composition of salivary fluid. If there are suspicions associated with viscous saliva, you can check their validity or dispel using a simple test. To do this, you need a pipette and a stopwatch.
The test is performed in the morning, on an empty stomach. First, ordinary water is collected in a pipette in the amount of one milliliter, and it is observed how long it will flow out. Then the same thing is done with saliva. Normally, these two indicators should be approximately the same.
Such a study is not a reliable indicator of the absence or presence of the disease. If you suspect a malfunction in the body, you should contact a specialist and conduct laboratory tests.
Doctors determine the viscosity of the fluid using a device - a viscometer. If he confirms that the patient’s mouth has thick and viscous saliva, the doctor will determine the cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment. For the diagnosis, you will have to pass additional tests and visit narrow specialists, so self-treatment is unacceptable.
Diagnostics
When contacting a specialist with problems related to the consistency of saliva, the doctor will use the following methods for diagnosis:
- general examination of the abdomen, lymph nodes, neck, thyroid gland and history;
- blood test: general and biochemical;
- sputum analysis ;
- study of the condition of the throat and larynx using laryngoscopy;
- listening with a stethoscope;
- pharyngoscopic examination of the mucous membranes;
- an x-ray may be prescribed;
- checking the condition of the gastrointestinal tract using ultrasound and FGS.
In some cases, the doctor may schedule an appointment with narrow-profile specialists: neurologist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist, otolaryngologist, oncologist.
Reasons for viscosity and ductility
The causes of dry mouth after illness are manifested significantly. Too viscous salivary fluid often causes dehydration due to insufficient fluid intake, and intoxication, which is accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. Also, the cause of thick saliva can be side effects of drugs. The failure of the salivary glands is caused by the following means:
- diuretic;
- antihistamine;
- antidepressants;
- some painkillers;
- chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
In this case, it is enough to cancel the drug or replace it with another.
What kind of disease can cause dry mouth? Often, smokers with experience experience this symptom. In addition to dryness in the oral cavity, saliva becomes viscous and sticky. With serious deviations in the consistency of saliva from the norm, the only solution may be to abandon the bad habit.
Another reason for viscous saliva can be hormonal failure, which occurs during pregnancy, during menopause or transitional age. In such cases, medical attention is not required.
Main reasons
Malfunctions of the salivary glands are usually attributed to the following reasons:
- mumps, Mikulich’s disease, sialadenitis, sialostasis - these are diseases of the salivary glands, in which the glands themselves increase in size, become painful, and the amount of saliva secreted decreases;
- cystic fibrosis - a congenital disease that affects the glands of external secretion;
- scleroderma - in addition to saliva, the connective tissue of the mucous membranes grows;
- with a lack of vitamin A, the volume of epithelial tissue increases, thereby clogging the ducts of the salivary glands ;
- damage to nerve endings in the region of the head and neck;
- salivary gland injury;
- HIV infection.
Xerostomia
A cause of viscous saliva in the mouth, as well as increased dryness, can be a disease such as xerostomia. It is painful and manifests itself with acute symptoms:
- hard to swallow;
- sore and dry throat;
- speech is disturbed;
- bad taste in the mouth;
- burning in the tongue.
The disease occurs against the background of diabetes mellitus, Parkinson's disease and other dangerous diseases.
Candidiasis stomatitis
What kind of disease can cause dry mouth? This condition is characterized by a white coating on the tongue and in the oral cavity. It is accompanied by viscous and viscous saliva. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in children and in older people over 60 years of age.
The causes of candidal stomatitis are:
- decreased immunity;
- xerostomia;
- pregnancy;
- diabetes;
- hormonal changes;
- bacterial inflammation in the body;
- violation of the rules of oral hygiene;
- taking antibiotics.
The disease can be diagnosed by such symptoms as sore throat, saliva viscosity, an unpleasant metallic taste in the mouth, white plaque, burning on the tongue. Most often, candidal stomatitis appears due to a decrease in the strength of the immune system.
Inflammatory diseases of the mouth and respiratory tract
Most often, the consistency of saliva changes during malfunctions of the throat and mouth. The disease is accompanied by fever, respiratory failure, sore throat. As a rule, such symptoms are inherent in viral and bacterial diseases of the mouth and respiratory tract such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis and the like.
Paradantosis
With paradantosis, sticky saliva may appear. Damage to tissues near the teeth is accompanied by pain, fever and other signs, and this also affects the consistency of salivary fluid, it becomes viscous and sticky. In patients with this pathology, chewing function is impaired and the gums begin to bleed.
If untreated, the process penetrates into the deep tissues, which can cause inflammation. The resulting plaque and stone become the causes of staggering and tooth loss.
The disease is accompanied by tooth mobility, itching and discomfort in the gums.
How to relieve the condition when saliva is thick
A person who is faced with the problem of viscous and sticky saliva experiences many unpleasant sensations. In addition to discomfort, outbreaks of gum, tongue, and throat diseases can become more frequent, and teeth become more prone to caries. Therefore, when such a symptom appears, it is necessary to conduct treatment using conservative or alternative methods.
Having determined why saliva became viscous, the doctor prescribes auxiliary methods of exposure that will help to return to a normal state faster:
- artificial saliva;
- moisturizers of the oral cavity, come in the form of gels and sprays;
- special rinsing agents;
- copious intake of fluid;
- specialized chewing gums and candies.
To folk remedies include: sage tea, throat lubrication with peach oil with propolis and inhalation with eucalyptus. But such remedies are best discussed with a doctor.
In addition to drug treatment can be attributed to the rejection of alcohol, carbonated drinks, coffee and cigarettes - they dehydrate the oral mucosa. Also, the use of dairy products will have to be minimized. The specialist will definitely advise you to drink more than 1.5 liters of water per day and brush your teeth with a soft brush so as not to injure the dehydrated gums. It will not be superfluous to purchase a humidifier for the home.
Pharmacy treatment
Depending on the disease, which led to a change in the consistency of saliva, medical specialists may prescribe various drugs. In order to relieve irritation in the throat and oral cavity, as well as to dilute saliva, the following agents are prescribed:
- Reflex action - such compounds act on the nerve endings, thereby provoking additional saliva production. After starting treatment, patients note that a cough is associated with an irritated throat. These include drugs such as "Alteyka", "Stoptussin", "Termopsol".
- Mucolytic drugs. Such formulations dilute sputum without increasing its amount, they include: "Mukaltin", "Ambroxol" and the like.
- Resorptive drugs - reduce viscosity due to the fact that it becomes a lot of saliva. Such funds are prohibited for children under seven years of age.
Prevention
Compliance with some rules will help prevent viscosity of saliva:
- the use of a large amount of liquid per day, at least 1.5 liters;
- giving up bad habits such as alcohol and smoking;
- refusal of coffee;
- home air humidifier;
- proper nutrition;
- consumption of vegetables, fruits and cereals;
- rinse your mouth with water and salt;
- regular visits to the dentist;
- timely treatment of diseases of the mouth.
In addition, a regular examination by a dermatologist is required. Do not wait until the unpleasant sensations develop into unbearable. Density of saliva is a serious indicator of human health. And if she deviated from the norm, it is necessary to consult a specialist. Since only a doctor can determine the exact cause of the pathology and prescribe the correct treatment.