Many people complain of such an unpleasant phenomenon as a feeling of dryness at night. Such a phenomenon is often a symptom of a serious illness. The causes of dry mouth at night can be completely different. To diagnose the underlying disease, you should visit a doctor.
In addition, no matter what factors such a state provokes, it is better to prevent it. Otherwise, the likelihood of developing serious pathologies is high. So what are the causes of dry mouth in a dream?
What is this phenomenon
Before determining the causes of dry mouth at night and in the morning, it is worth considering the condition itself in more detail. A similar phenomenon in medical practice is called xerostomia. A feeling of dry mouth can be a sign of temporary malaise or a serious violation. At the same time, xerostomia can be either temporary or permanent. Much depends on the fact that her personal name provoked what factors influenced the general condition of the body.
The feeling of dry mouth at night is often accompanied by drying out of the lips, changes in the functioning of the taste buds, intense thirst, sticking of the tongue to the sky, discomfort, and sore throat.
Dehydration
To determine the causes of dry mouth at night in some cases only a doctor can. Sometimes this phenomenon indicates dehydration. The lack of fluid is caused by hyperthermia of the whole body, as well as high temperature indicators of air.
Often dehydration occurs with burns, severe blood loss, diarrhea, and vomiting. Also, dryness in the oral cavity at night often occurs due to the fact that a person consumes an insufficient amount of water during the day.
Breathing problems and medication
The causes of dry mouth at night may be hiding in disturbed breathing processes. A similar phenomenon often occurs with nasal congestion. This occurs when the septum is curved, adenoids, and a runny nose. In such situations, a person usually breathes through his mouth. And this, in turn, provokes the drying of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
Also, the reasons for the development of unpleasant sensations include taking medications. Most often, a feeling of dryness occurs with the frequent use of drugs designed to combat the manifestations of allergies, with neurasthenia, and also with hypertension.
Improper Nutrition and Snoring
Why is thirst at night? Dry mouth, the reasons for which can only be determined by a doctor after a thorough diagnosis, can be caused by the use of salty and sweet foods. Similar products are able to draw fluid from cells. It is for this reason that thirst arises, which is often accompanied by drying out of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
In addition, those who snore in their sleep can suffer from dry mouth. In this case, the inhalation and exhalation of air through the nose is carried out only partially. As a result, the mucous membranes begin to dry out, and there is a feeling of discomfort.
Humidity and stress
The above causes of dry mouth at night are basic. But there are also indirect ones. For example, stressful situations negatively affect the work of many systems of the human body. In such cases, increased sweating and dryness in the oral cavity are often noted.
As for air humidity, few people follow this indicator. But during the summer drought, as well as at the beginning of the heating season, many feel unpleasant dryness not only in the mouth, but also in the nose. It should be noted that air humidity should be at least 40%.
Extremely dry mouth: causes
What disease (does a person feel such discomfort at night, doesn’t it matter in the morning) are symptoms such as thirst and dryness of the oral mucosa inherent? This happens due to intoxication. A similar symptom may not disappear throughout the day. An unpleasant phenomenon occurs as a result of the ingress of a toxic substance into the body. To remove it, a large amount of liquid is necessary.
Very often, such discomfort occurs as a result of alcohol abuse. Indeed, many forget that ethyl alcohol is the strongest poison for the human body. Due to the formation of acetaldehyde, cell death is observed. In order for the body to get rid of them, a large amount of clean water is required.
Other reasons
Why is dry mouth felt at night? The causes of this condition may be associated with a malfunction of some organs. Often, thirst occurs due to a lack of vitamin A. Moreover, the patient may have keratinization of the oral mucosa. Particles of tissue that have peeled off can clog the duct of the salivary gland.
Another cause is brain injury. Due to damage to the nervous system, a disturbance in the processes of salivation can occur.
Dry mouth can cause toxicosis, which is accompanied by vomiting and nausea.
It is worth noting that the above factors cause only temporary xerostomia.
Constant dry mouth at night: causes
Permanent xerostomia can cause the following factors:
- advanced age;
- salivary gland dysfunction caused by surgery;
- menopause;
- radiation therapy used to treat cancer;
- atrophy of glands secreting saliva (due to the frequent use of special disinfectants).
If dry mouth worries very often, then you should visit a doctor and undergo a thorough examination. After all, the cause can be a serious illness.
Dry mouth and disease
Often, xerostomia is a sign of any disturbance in the body. What diseases causes dry mouth at night? The causes and elimination of such a pathology are determined only after the diagnosis of the underlying ailment. Possible diseases include:
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- allergies
- anemia
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypertension
- hypotension;
- stroke;
- stones in the salivary ducts;
- mumps;
- AIDS;
- cystic fibrosis;
- Sjogren's syndrome;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- brain damage;
- Parkinson's disease.
It is possible to identify the development of such ailments only after passing a thorough examination and passing all the necessary tests.
Otolaryngological pathologies
The causes of dry mouth and throat may be hidden in the development of otolaryngological diseases. Such ailments include:
- polyps in the nasal cavity;
- hay fever;
- rhinitis;
- sinusitis.
Dry mouth and other signs
How to find out why dry mouth occurs at night? Causes, treatment and consequences depend on the underlying ailment. When diagnosing a disease, the doctor must identify all the symptoms. If a person’s tongue becomes yellow or white, and the patient feels bitterness, this indicates the development of ailments associated with the work of the gallbladder and its ducts: gastritis, duodenitis and pancreatitis.
To determine the root cause, you must undergo a full examination. When diagnosing one of the diseases listed above, the main pathology is treated, which caused dry mouth. After a course of treatment, an unpleasant symptom disappears on its own.
Who to contact
What to do if severe dry mouth worries at night? The reasons may be due to the malfunctioning of some systems in the body. First of all, it is worth visiting a doctor. Who to contact? With such a problem, you can visit a dentist or general practitioner, such as a family doctor or therapist. A specialist will help determine the cause of the unpleasant symptom. After this, the patient can be redirected to another doctor. As a rule, to an endocrinologist, rheumatologist or gastroenterologist.
After a general examination, a specialist can direct you to take certain tests. It all depends on the underlying ailment. As a rule, the following studies are prescribed: serological analysis, biochemical blood analysis, analysis of the amount of thyroid hormones, general analysis of urine and blood.
In addition to the above, the doctor can refer the patient to ultrasound, computed tomography, radiography and so on.
Dry mouth at night: causes and remedies
If xerostomia is temporary, then the following methods will help get rid of unpleasant sensations:
- At the first sign of drying out of the mouth and throat, you need to drink a little liquid. Plain water quenches thirst best. Other drinks, especially too sweet and carbonated, will only aggravate the condition. Some time after their use, thirst will only intensify.
- Medicines can be used to combat the sensation of dryness. The main disadvantage of this method is that it is possible to purchase the drug only by prescription. Only a doctor prescribes such medications. To remove dry mouth, a course of inhalation is often prescribed with a herbal preparation (Vitaon).
- Sour candies will enhance salivation. Fruit seeds and chewing gums are ideal for these purposes. Best of all in this regard is the use of fresh lemon without sugar.
- Many experts recommend gnawing ice.
- If the patient does not suffer from gastrointestinal diseases, then in his diet he can add dishes that include such a component as chili peppers. The composition of this spice includes a component that can stimulate the function of the salivary glands.
Dry mouth inhalation
To get rid of dry mouth, you can do inhalation with soda-saline solution. It is recommended to carry out the procedure before going to bed. To prepare the solution, you need to take one teaspoon of salt and soda, mix and pour a liter of hot water.
You should breathe over the steam, while hiding with a towel. The duration of the procedure should be at least 15 minutes. It is worth noting that for inhalation, you can use decoctions of herbs. Plants that can overcome dry mouth include calendula, lemon balm, chamomile, mint. You can purchase raw materials in a dried form in a pharmacy. Finding such drugs is not difficult.
To prepare solutions from herbs, you need to brew a tablespoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water. The product should be infused for 15 minutes. In conclusion, the liquid can be filtered and used for inhalation.
Recommendations of specialists
What should be done to overcome dry mouth at night? The reasons for the development of such a phenomenon are very difficult to determine independently. However, there are general recommendations:
- the patient should abandon the abuse of alcoholic beverages, smoking tobacco products, as well as other habits that are harmful to the body;
- Wet cleaning should be regularly carried out in the room, as well as airing the rooms before bedtime and after;
- do not use substances and special means for rinsing the mouth that contain alcohol;
- Regular consumption of fresh vegetables, berries and fruits will help to get rid of dry mouth; besides, such food is rich in vitamins;
- It is recommended to brush your tooth at least twice during the day: after and before bedtime (in this case, special formulations containing such a component as fluoride should be used).
The wisdom of centuries
Sages living in China claim that getting rid of dry mouth is a simple exercise. To do this, it is worth performing the movements that a person makes when rinsing the oral cavity. The lips should be closed. Repeat the exercise at least thirty times.
After swallowing the accumulated saliva, it is worth imagining how it gradually goes to the navel. To completely get rid of dry mouth, you need to conduct regular training.
Can there be complications
With improper therapy of the pathology, serious complications can occur. Therefore, experts do not recommend self-medication. The consequences can be very dire. Among the undesirable manifestations, it is worth highlighting the following:
- thrush;
- deterioration in the taste buds;
- inflammation of the oral mucosa;
- gingivitis;
- stomatitis;
- disruption of the digestive tract;
- the appearance of ulcers and ulcers in the oral cavity;
- tonsillitis of a chronic nature.
It should be noted that dry mouth accelerates the development of dental caries. This can be explained by the difficulties associated with the removal of food debris. Exactly the same problem arises when using dentures.