Swollen, cracked lips, a rough tongue, and an itchy throat all point to dry mouth. A dry mouth and throat can be a side effect of some medications, such as prescriptions for high blood pressure, as well as over-the-counter medications for allergies and colds. Certain long-term medical conditions, such as diabetes, HIV, AIDS, and Sjogren’s syndrom are also known coexist with dry mouth. Dry mouth may also be the result of nerve damage caused by a head or neck injury. If any of the nerves that carry signals from the brain to the salivary glads are damaged, your body may not produce enough saliva.
Saliva does more than keep your mouth moist. Saliva assists in digestion, cleans food particles from your teeth, and helps prevent tooth decay. It also carries the flavors of foods and beverages to nerve cells in the throat and mouth, allowing you to taste.
A lack of saliva can lead to long-term bad breath, cracked lips, dry skin around the mouth, difficulty speaking, inability to taste foods wells.
Your doctor may recommend reducing or eliminating smoking, alcohol, and caffeine, as they are known to exasperate dry mouth. If one or more medications you’re taking lists dry mouth as a side effect and the symptom is unbearable, speak to your doctor. He or she may be able to prescribe a different medication.
If you’re not currently taking medications that may cause dry mouth but are still experiencing it, it’s be to see a doctor, ENT or otherwise, to ensure the symptom isn’t indicative of an underlying disease.
If your mouth and throat are dry when you first wake up, try sleeping with a humidifier in the bedroom. Also, endeavor to drink more water during the day and avoid drinks with sugar, acid, or caffeine.
