Dry mouth and throat can hint to an underlying condition. The underlying conditions may be diagnosed with the other conditions accompanying it. Scroll down to know more in this regard.
Dryness of the mouth and throat can cause bacterial or fungal infections in the mouth. Dry mouth is also called xerostomia. Saliva is important to moisten and cleanse our mouth as well as for digesting the food we eat. It also prevents any infection in the mouth. When the quantity of saliva produced is insufficient, we experience dryness in our mouth and throat. Dehydrated mouth and throat can also be a temporary condition that can be caused by the weather. But, if it becomes a chronic problem, it indicates the presence of some disease. It can also have a number of accompanying factors like ache, cough, nasal drainage, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Causes of Dry Throat and Mouth
➜ Dehydration is one of the main causes of dryness in the mouth and throat. It can also be a result of fever, excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, blood loss, and burns apart from consumption of insufficient quantities of water.
➜ Oral dryness can also be caused due to the damage of a nerve in the head or neck area resulting from an injury or surgery. Swelling of tonsils due to infection, tumor, abscesses, or chronic tonsillitis can block the saliva from reaching the throat. Salivary gland cancer, which affects the throat, neck, and mouth, gives rise to dryness in the oral and pharyngeal regions.
➜ This condition can also be a side effect of certain medications. Medication taken for depression, anxiety, pain, allergies, epilepsy, acne, obesity, asthma, muscle relaxants, sedatives, etc., often give rise to oral dryness.
➜ Medical treatments also give rise to this condition. Radiation or chemotherapy, more often than not, reduces the amount of saliva produced giving rise to the condition.
➜ Among the diseases and infections which can cause dry mouth and throat are Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.
Symptoms of Oral Dehydration
The most common symptoms are:
- Frequent thirst
- Dry feeling in the throat
- Problem in speaking
- Difficulty in tasting, chewing, and swallowing
A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth, mouth sores, sore throat, etc., are also indicators of the problem.
Cure for Dehydrated Mouth and Throat
➜ The first step is to drink plenty of water and replenish the water levels in the body. Water is the best thirst quencher, which you must choose over sodas and colas. Clear fruit and vegetable juices are other good options. You may want to steer clear of caffeinated drinks, as they can dehydrate the body further.
➜ If you are the talkative kind, it is recommend to give some rest to your mouth and avoid excessive talking. At the same time, make sure that you are breathing with your mouth closed. If you breathe through your mouth, you will dry your throat and mouth all the more. If the weather in your room is dry, it will further aggravate the problem. You must humidify your room so that there is sufficient moisture in the air and you do not get up in the middle of the night with a dry sensation in your mouth and throat.
➜ A home remedy which you could give a try is to place one clove of garlic dipped in honey at the back of your mouth. Through the day, gently suck on the garlic clove. If you do not like the flavor of garlic in your mouth the whole day, you may make a mixture of garlic, honey, and add some lemon juice to it. You will need to make 1 teaspoon of this mixture everyday. Since garlic has antibacterial agents, they will fight the throat infection and relieve you of the condition if it has been caused due to an infection.
Sucking a sugar-free candy or chewing a sugar-free gum may also help in alleviating the problem. If you are on some medication and are of the opinion that your condition is the result of some medication, you may want to talk to your health care professional about the same.
Disclaimer: This HealthHearty article is for informative purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.