Dry mouth and high blood sugar: a sign that should not be ignored
A silent, but very important, cause of persistent dry mouth is elevated blood sugar levels. When glucose is high, the body tries to eliminate that excess through urine, dragging large amounts of water.
This causes constant internal dehydration, accompanied by intense thirst and dry mouth that does not improve even if water is drunk. In many people, this is one of the first symptoms of prediabetes or diabetes, even before other, more familiar signs appear.
Detecting this imbalance early can make a big difference to long-term health.
Stress and anxiety: when the mind affects the body
Chronic stress and sustained anxiety can also reduce saliva production. When the nervous system remains in a state of alertness, the body prioritizes survival functions and leaves others, such as salivation, in the background.
This can lead to a pasty tongue, difficulty swallowing, a lumpy feeling in the throat, or burning in the mouth, especially when waking up or before sleeping. Although it sometimes appears intermittently, when stress becomes constant, dry mouth can be maintained even in moments of apparent calm.
Medications: A Common Side Effect
Many commonly used medications can cause dry mouth. These include antihistamines, antidepressants, anxiolytics, blood pressure drugs, and some painkillers.
The problem is that many people assume this symptom as something inevitable and do not consult. However, in many cases there are alternatives, dose adjustments or medical strategies to reduce this effect without stopping treatment.
Autoimmune diseases: less frequent, but relevant
In some autoimmune diseases, such as Sjögren’s syndrome, the immune system itself attacks the salivary glands, drastically reducing saliva production. In these cases, the dryness is usually intense, constant, and difficult to relieve.
It is usually accompanied by other symptoms such as dry eyes, extreme fatigue, joint pain or inflammation of salivary glands. Although it is not a common cause, it is important to consider it if dry mouth is severe and persistent.
Breathing through the mouth during the night
Sleeping with your mouth open, which is common in people with nasal congestion, rhinitis, sinusitis, snoring or sleep apnea, promotes the evaporation of saliva during the night. This explains why many people wake up with an extremely dry mouth and an irritated throat.
In addition to being uncomfortable, this habit increases the risk of cavities, infections, gum inflammation, and bad breath.
Consequences of not treating dry mouth
When the root cause is not addressed, dry mouth can lead to real problems such as increased risk of cavities, oral infections, difficulty eating and speaking, taste disturbances, and a negative impact on self-esteem.
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