Xerostomia is what? Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Xerostomia is an inadequate level of saliva secretion, which is accompanied by dryness of the oral cavity. Often patients complain of burning sensation in the throat, difficulty chewing and swallowing. Also, the patient noted a violation of the perception of taste and the presence of a permanent taste of metal in the mouth.

Xerostomia (causes, symptoms, treatment described in this article) often acts as a sign of diabetes, Parkinson's disease, HIV, etc. It can also be a side effect of taking certain medications, chemotherapy, the result of radiation exposure.

The success of getting rid of xerostomies depends on the cause that caused it. Symptomatic treatment involves the use of such drugs as "Galantamine", "Pilocarpine." Also, a novocain blockade and physiotherapeutic procedures for the salivary gland region are used.

Causes of the disease

Xerostomia - what is it? What reasons provoke it? Saliva serves as a material for lubricating the oral cavity. It facilitates the process of chewing and swallowing food. In addition, it helps to eliminate harmful microbes and has an anti-inflammatory effect. Substances contained in saliva, promote the remineralization of enamel and neutralization of alkalis and acids that enter the oral cavity along with food. As a rule, xerostomia is a side effect of taking certain medicines.

What are the causes of such a pathology, like xerostomia, causes?

Dryness in the mouth is provoked by the technique:

• Drugs for kidney, nervous system and diabetes;
• Antipsychotics;
• Diuretics;
• Antihistamines;
• Sleeping pills.

To eliminate the symptom, the tactics of therapy should be changed, and he will stop worrying.

Older people are more prone to the appearance of such ailment due to the use of many drugs of different pharmacological groups.

The combination of heterogeneous means is more conducive to the development of this pathology. Symptoms of xerostomia can be noted if:

• Diabetes mellitus;
• Iron deficiency anemia;
• Hypertension;
• Cystic fibrosis;
• Rheumatoid arthritis;
• AIDS;
• Shane syndrome.

Shane's syndrome is characterized by autoimmune disorders that provoke the dystrophic process of the salivary glands, which is expressed in dry mouth and decrease in their function.

The presence of mumps and other infectious diseases can also provoke the appearance of dryness of the oral mucosa. Infections contribute to the disruption of the innervation and circulation system, which affects the full production of saliva.

Xerostomia (photo can be seen in the article) is observed with radiation therapy, and even a short time after its withdrawal. In particular, the disease manifests itself clearly when irradiating cancer patients with a tumor in the region of the head and neck.

With the surgical removal of the salivary glands, xerostomia is an irreversible process. The only option for correction is the use of funds that help moisturize the oral mucosa.

Violation of saliva production is often manifested with head injuries and with the defeat of the central nervous system by toxic substances.

Atrophy of the salivary glands in old age, sialadenitis, Mikulich's disease are quite serious pathologies, in which the probability of xerostomia is increased.

Xerostomia, which is short-lived, occurs in the absence of major diseases. For example, it occurs when nasal breathing is caused by polyps, curvature of the nasal septum.

In people in old age due to the weakness of the muscles of the lower jaw, xerostomia arises from the fact that during a night sleep a person's mouth is open.

Frequent mouth rinses with aggressive disinfectants also lead to an atrophic process in the salivary gland and the appearance of signs of the disease.

Symptomatic of the disease

Xerostomia, the causes, the treatment of which is well known, is characterized by dryness in the oral cavity. With reduced saliva irrigation, the risk of purulent processes increases, since in the absence of saliva, microbes and bacteria survive and contribute to infection of the soft tissues of the oral cavity. Often, the mouth is affected by a fungal infection.

When dryness occurs in the mouth , taste disturbances occur until the perception is completely lost. The degree of manifestation of the disease can be judged by the signs.

How does the initial stage manifest?

At the initial stage, the salivary glands located near the ears and under the jaw secrete a normal amount of saliva. At this stage, their work is in a stage of decompensation.

Dryness in the mouth can bother a person during a lengthy conversation or when overworked. The mucous membrane of the mouth is moist. In the saliva, the formation of foam.

The second stage

Then follows the stage of partial decompensation. The signs of the disease become more vivid. They are manifested in the persistent dryness of the mouth, difficulty with chewing and swallowing.

At the ill person at this stage there is a dry appearance when eating. Therefore, the patient often drinks water. Mucous membranes of the mouth moisturize poorly. It is painted in a light pink color and shines.

Symptoms of the third stage

How does the disease, like xerostomia, appear in the third stage? This is primarily a complete decrease in the function of the salivary glands. Patients complain of dry grief in the mouth, pain in the process of talking and chewing. There are complications such as glossitis and stomatitis.

Dryness of the oral cavity provokes its ulceration. The skin of the lips becomes dry and flakes. Sometimes the lips are covered with crusts.

If xerostomia caused dysfunction of the salivary glands, then often, in addition to the main symptoms, caries appear.

In the presence of xerostomia, the patient complains of thirst, a problem with swallowing food and an unpleasant odor from the mouth. Ill people are subject to sore throats. During recovery, hoarseness and pain in the throat cause a lot of inconvenience and cause speech disturbance.

The tongue is painted in a bright red color, cracks appear in the corners of the mouth, into which bacteria easily penetrate.

In the stage of compensation and decompensation, the patient complains of dryness in the nasal passages. Also possible pathological processes in periodontium.

If a sick person wears removable dentures, there are difficulties in using them and frequent traumatic lesions of the oral mucosa.

Diagnostics

Xerostomia is a symptom of severe pathology in the body. Her diagnosis includes a detailed anamnesis in order to identify the underlying cause that caused this complication. The doctor asks the patient in detail about all the medicines he takes. Also as additional diagnostic methods are ultrasound of salivary glands and sialografiya.

Methods of therapy

Symptomatic treatment contributes to significant relief of the patient's condition. After discontinuing therapy, the symptoms of the disease return. Therefore, the dentist must establish the exact cause of this condition.

Xerostomia is a pathology that can be caused by taking certain medications or by dehydration. In this case, it quickly undergoes correction.

The condition provoked by radiation therapy can not be eliminated, since radiation can disrupt the production of saliva.

Many people are interested in how xerostomia is eliminated, how to treat an ailment? Pathogenetic therapy is aimed at eliminating dry mouth. Solutions of potassium iodide are used to optimize the patient's condition. Also, "Pilocarpine" or "Galantamine" is used. Lubrication of the oral cavity with liquid vitamin A causes a decrease in dryness and healing of ulcers and small cracks. Novocain blockade of the salivary gland region located near the ears and under the jaw, as well as the use of physiotherapeutic procedures (galvanotherapy, electrophoresis, vibromassage) can improve the patient's condition even with the presence of pathology at the decompensated stage.

Preventive actions

Xerostomia, the causes and treatment of which are described in this article, requires compliance with preventive measures. In the presence of pathology, you should limit the consumption of salty and dry foods, as well as beverages that contain caffeine and sugar.

Alcoholic drinks and mouthwashes, including alcohol, contribute to dehydration of the mucosa and cause hypo-salivation.

With the xerostomia that is ill, it is recommended to abandon bad habits, use moisturizers, and toothbrushes with soft bristles to avoid injury to dry mucous membranes. It is recommended to use professional toothpastes. Brushing your teeth should be done three times a day. It is advised to massage the inner surface of the cheeks and gums with tongue.

Hard candies without sugar also optimize the production of saliva. Usually, patients with xerostomia are advised to chew a chewing gum, which also increases the level of saliva secretion. But you should use chewing sugar-free cutting to reduce the likelihood of developing caries.

After eliminating the signs of the disease, relapses should be avoided, which is achievable if the doctor's instructions and rational medication are observed. Use drugs that will not reduce the secretion of saliva.

When preparing dishes, it is advisable to add more spices and red pepper.

You should often moisten the air in the apartment.

Folk remedies

Is it possible to eliminate such a disease as a xerostomia with folk remedies? How to treat ailment without the use of medicines? As a rule, various rinse based on herbs are used. Also recommended increased fluid intake during the day. In this case, it is recommended to drink it in small amounts.

Abundant drink

This method is the simplest. It helps to moisturize the oral mucosa. It is recommended to drink broth of dogrose in a cold form, as well as sour mors from cowberry or cranberry. With insensitive teeth and gums, you can suck ice slices. If dryness in the mouth is caused by a hangover, then you should drink mineral water with lemon juice in a 2: 1 ratio. Drink in small sips.

Rinse your mouth

The choice of means for this purpose should be approached with caution. Most drugs include alcohol in their composition, so they are not at all like to eliminate dryness in the mouth.

There are several recipes for rinsing:

• Oral cavity should be rinsed with infusion of calendula, chamomile or sage. Rinsing agents containing fluorine can also be used.
• Widely used rosehip oil and herbal collection. Bilberry berries, a root of aira, a sage and a camomile are taken. Each plant is brewed separately. At 1 tbsp. Water is taken 1 tbsp. a spoon. Insist means for 40 m, after which it is filtered. Each infusion in turn rinses the mouth, and blueberries are eaten.

Burial in the nose

In the pharmacy you can buy an oil solution "Chlorophyllipt". This remedy is buried in the nose three times a day. First, the rose hip oil drips, and then "Chlorophyllipt". After the procedure, lie down. The course of treatment is 10 days.

Prognosis of the disease

The prognosis of such a disease as xerostomia (treatment, preparations described in this article) depends on the nature of the underlying disease, as well as the degree of impairment of the salivary glands functionality. In all cases, in addition to a complete atrophic process, a significant improvement in the patient's condition can be achieved, up to complete cure.

Conclusion

So, in the article we answered the question: "Xerostomia - what is it?" Treatment Is selected based on the underlying disease that provoked it. For example, in the presence of diabetes, drugs will be prescribed that normalize the level of glucose in the blood. This will promote the normal saliva release.

Pathology can not be attributed to a particular disease. It is a sign of a serious disorder in the body.