What is the most common cause of xerostomia?

What is the most common cause of xerostomia?

There are numerous causes of xerostomia; the most common cause is medication side effects, followed by Sjogren syndrome (SS) and radiotherapy and other autoimmune diseases in no particular order. Irrespective of a specific etiology, the patient’s primary complaint is dry mouth.

What do you mean by xerostomia?

Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don’t make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer.

Which of the following is associated with xerostomia?

Xerostomia can lead to markedly increased dental caries, parotid gland enlargement, inflammation and fissuring of the lips (cheilitis), inflammation or ulcers of the tongue and buccal mucosa, oral candidiasis, salivary gland infection (sialadenitis), halitosis and cracking and fissuring of the oral mucosa.

How do you diagnose xerostomia?

Diagnosis of xerostomia requires careful evaluation of signs and symptoms, with clinical extra-oral and intra-oral exami- nations, assessment of salivary gland function by measurement of resting and stimulated flow rates, and, in some cases, biopsy of minor salivary glands.

Is xerostomia curable?

Artificial OTC saliva substitutes and oral lubricants containing glycerin will provide help during eating and speaking. They won’t cure xerostomia, but will provide some relief. Moisturizing the lips with a balm or Vaseline can also be helpful.

Is xerostomia reversible?

Xerostomia is a symptom, not a disease entity, and can be temporary, reversible, or permanent. Once considered an inevitable part of the aging process, xerostomia is now associated with hundreds of medications and numerous nonpharmacologic conditions, including some cancer treatment regimens.

What foods stimulate saliva production?

Eat and drink tart foods and liquids, such as lemonade, sugar-free sour candies, and dill pickles, to help stimulate the flow of saliva.

Who treats xerostomia?

If you have severe dry mouth, your doctor or dentist may: Prescribe medication that stimulates saliva. Your doctor may prescribe pilocarpine (Salagen) or cevimeline (Evoxac) to stimulate saliva production.

Is xerostomia a disability?

Entitlement to an initial increased evaluation for xerostomia (dry mouth) associated with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

How can I unclog my salivary glands?

Sucking on a wedge of lemon or orange increases the flow of saliva, which can help dislodge the stone. A person can also try sucking on sugar-free gum or hard, sour candies, such as lemon drops. Drinking plenty of fluids. Regular fluid intake helps keep the mouth hydrated and can increase saliva flow.

Can xerostomia be cured?

Dry mouth is relatively easy to clear up on your own. Be sure to drink lots of water and avoid spicy and salty foods until your symptoms subside. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or using an over-the-counter (OTC) oral rinse, such as Act Dry Mouth Mouthwash, to help stimulate saliva production.

Does lemon water help dry mouth?

Lemon is acidic in nature and excellent to treat bad breath and cleanses your mouth. It also stimulates saliva production, which is necessary when suffering from the problem of dry mouth.

What does xerostomia stand for in medical terms?

Xerostomia is the subjective sensation of dry mouth, which is often (but not always) associated with hypofunction of the salivary glands. The term is derived from the Greek words ξηρός (xeros) meaning “dry” and στόμα (stoma) meaning “mouth”. A drug or substance that increases the rate of salivary flow is termed a sialogogue.

What’s the aim of the xerostomia and hyposalivation review?

The aim of this review is to investigate the current state of knowledge on management and treatment of patients affected by xerostomia and/or hyposalivation. Keyword: saliva stimulation, dry mouth, saliva substitutes, sialogogues Introduction

What happens to your mouth when you have xerostomia?

Patients with xerostomia often complain of taste disorders (dysgeusia), a painful tongue (glossodynia) and an increased need to drink water, especially at night. Xerostomia can lead to markedly increased dental caries, parotid gland enlargement, inflammation and fissuring of the lips (cheilitis),…

What kind of radiation therapy can cause xerostomia?

Radiation therapy. Radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck (including brachytherapy for thyroid cancers) where the salivary glands are close to or within the field irradiated is another major cause of xerostomia. A radiation dose of 52 Gy is sufficient to cause severe salivary dysfunction.