Tuesday, November 24, 2015

For The Best Specialists In Dry Mouth Newfoundlands Is The Way To Go

By Brenda Warner


Dry mouth as a medical condition results from a decrease in the amount of saliva produced in the mouth. Another name used to refer to the name is xerostomia. Patients become unable to speak or do so with a lot of difficulty in some conditions. Malnutrition has also been experienced in most patients. When the condition is very severe, permanent mouth and throat disorders occur reducing the quality of life of the patient significantly. When one needs experts in dry mouth Newfoundlands should be considered first.

The prevalence level of the disease is relatively very high. It is approximated that it affects around ten percent of all people in the world. This percentage translates into several millions of people, looking at the current world population. It has also been proven that prevalence of xerostomia among women is higher than in women. Elderly people and individuals taking prescription and nonprescription medications are also affected more frequently.

Saliva as much as it may often be taken for granted, serves a lot of important functions inside the oral cavity. Saliva has lubricating properties that help to offer comfort and protection in the oral cavity. It protects oral tissues against sores, ulcers, and effects caused by friction. It also helps in neutralization of acids and provision of antibodies against threat posed by bacteria. Tasting is assisted by saliva because it acts as a solvent. Finally, digestion starts inside the oral cavity through the activity of saliva.

Xerostomia results from many different causes. However, in most cases experienced, it comes as a side effect from taking medications that inhibit or decrease saliva production. Some of the medications known to have this effect include blood pressure medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, antihistamines, diuretics, and antidepressants among others. Besides medications, other major causes are hormonal imbalance, diabetes, salivary gland disease, mouth breathing, sleep apnea, autoimmune, and radiation treatment for cancer tumors in heads and necks.

Dry mouth is associated with several signs and symptoms. Usually the patient starts having trouble eating, tasting food, swallowing, and speaking. The symptoms may be more revealed at nighttime. Dryness of oral cavity may sometimes lead to bad breath, persistent cough, dizziness, headaches, pale gums, dry eyes, white tongue, and cracked lips among others.

Diagnosis usually requires salivary glands to be inspected for for blockages. Measurement of saliva flow under stimulation and without stimulation is also done. No known method exists for preventing xerostomia. However, its effects can be highly managed. Chance of managing the effects are higher when the disease is noticed earlier.

There are many ways of treating xerostomia and one can choose whichever works for them. Some of the options available include prevention of caries, saliva stimulation, saliva substitution, and yeast infection. Saliva substitution aims at keeping the oral cavity wet by drinking liquids. The dryness is increased if the liquids contain alcohol.

Saliva stimulation involves application of various methods that stimulate production of saliva. These could include chewing gum and use of lemon drops and various medications. Gums chewed should not have sugar in them while medications should be avoided by people with asthma and glaucoma.




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