Before reading this article, I sincerely invite you to click "Follow", which is not only convenient for you to discuss and share, but also to share more professional health knowledge with you, so as to escort your health, thank you for your support.
Xiao Wang, a bank clerk, recently found that he often had a dry mouth when he slept at night, and his mouth felt sticky, which seriously affected his sleep quality. He thought it was because the weather had been dry recently, and drinking more water would alleviate it. However, despite his daily attention to drinking plenty of fluids, his symptoms did not improve significantly.
On this day, Xiao Wang decided to go to the hospital for consultation. He registered to see a dentist, and the doctor carefully examined his mouth, asked some medical history, and then said: "From the current situation, your oral mucosa is relatively dry, and you have mild xerostomia. This may be related to a variety of factors and requires further investigation. "
The doctor prescribed some checklists for Xiao Wang, such as salivary gland function tests, blood routine, blood sugar, etc. At the same time, the doctor also asked Xiao Wang about some lifestyle habits, such as medication and dietary preferences.
After the test results came out, the doctor called Xiao Wang to the office. "Xiao Wang, your examination results show that the function of the salivary glands is somewhat reduced, which is the direct cause of dry mouth. But there may be some other reasons behind it. "
"What is the reason?" Xiao Wang asked with some concern.
"First, your blood sugar is a little high, which suggests that you may be at risk of diabetes. Diabetes can cause dry mouth. The doctor explained.
"Second, you said that you have been under a lot of pressure at work lately and often stay up late. This can lead to neuroendocrine disruptions that affect saliva production. "
"Thirdly, you have been taking some blood pressure medication for a long time, and these medications may also have the side effects of dry mouth. "
"Fourth, from your test results, you may also be at risk of autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren's syndrome. These diseases attack the salivary glands, causing dry mouth. "
After listening to the doctor's analysis, Xiao Wang was a little surprised. He didn't expect that there were so many complex reasons behind a seemingly simple symptom of dry mouth.
"So what should I do?" Xiao Wang asked.
"The key to treatment is to identify and address the root cause. The doctor said.
"One is that you need to have further tests to determine if you have problems such as diabetes and autoimmune diseases. If present, prompt treatment. "
"The second is to adjust the way of life. Get enough sleep and reduce staying up late. Eat a balanced diet and limit sugar intake. If necessary, a change of medication may be considered. "
"The third is that you can use some methods to relieve dry mouth. If it contains sugar-free chewing gum, it stimulates saliva secretion; Use artificial saliva preparations, keep the mouth moist, etc. "
"The most important thing is to be vigilant and have regular check-ups. Dry mouth can be an early sign of some diseases, and early detection and early treatment can avoid more serious consequences. "
In fact, in addition to these reasons mentioned by doctors, dry mouth can also be associated with some other diseases.
For example, sleep breathing disorders such as mouth breathing and snoring may lead to dry mouth; Some psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, may also affect saliva production; Certain infections, such as AIDS and hepatitis C, can also cause dry mouth.
In addition, some unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as long-term smoking, alcohol abuse, and frequent consumption of caffeinated beverages, may also aggravate dry mouth symptoms.
As the saying goes, "illness comes from the mouth", and oral health is the foundation of whole-body health. Let's learn from Xiao Wang's story, be vigilant, pay attention to oral health, and pay attention to the big message behind every small symptom.