What is the meaning of xerostomia?

What is the meaning of xerostomia?

Listen to pronunciation. (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-uh) Dry mouth. It occurs when the body is not able to make enough saliva.

What does xerostomia cause?

Xerostomia can cause the following complications: a sticky, dry, or burning feeling in the mouth. trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking. altered taste or intolerance for spicy, salty, or sour foods or drinks.

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 is another name for xerostomia?

Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is dryness in the mouth, which may be associated with a change in the composition of saliva, or reduced salivary flow, or have no identifiable cause.

Is xerostomia a disease?

Introduction. Xerostomia is defined as dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow. Xerostomia is not a disease, but it may be a symptom of various medical conditions, a side effect of a radiation to the head and neck, or a side effect of a wide variety of medications.

What medication can cause xerostomia?

A variety of drugs can cause xerostomia. They include diuretics, beta blockers, tricyclic antidepressants, antihistamines, anticonvulsants and antipsychotics. Xerostomia is also reported with oral morphine.

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.

What is xerostomia in dentistry?

Xerostomia is dry mouth caused by reduced or absent flow of saliva. This condition can result in discomfort, interfere with speech and swallowing, make wearing dentures difficult, cause halitosis. See also Evaluation of the Dental Patient.)

Which of the following drug groups is most likely to cause xerostomia?

Unfortunately, xerostomia is an often occurring [iv]side-effect from the use of antihistamines. Alegra, Dimetane, Tavis, Palgic, and Atarax are only some of the most commonly used antihistamines but also the antihistamines which are most commonly linked to the occurrence of dry mouth.

What does xerostomia look like?

Signs and symptoms of xerostomia Individuals with xerostomia often complain of problems with eating, speaking, swallowing and wearing dentures. Dry, crumbly foods, such as cereals and crackers, may be particularly difficult to chew and swallow.

What should I eat for dry mouth?

More examples of soft natural foods that are helpful for people with dry mouth include tender meats like chicken and fish, smooth peanut butter, soups, canned fruits, soft cooked/blended vegetables like carrots or celery, mashed potatoes, soft-cooked pasta, oatmeal, ice cream, pudding, and popsicles.

What foods can cause dry mouth?

Sugary drinks. Caffeine from coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Alcohol and alcohol-based mouth washes. Acidic foods such as orange or grapefruit juice.