There may be many health problems that may arise as people get older. This fact is considered to be part of the aging process of human nature because the human body is often weakened as a person grows older.
The organs and systems of the human body (digestion, nerves, blood circulation, etc.) often get sick, simply because of the length of time a person lives. At this stage, people should be very careful about their diet, know more about their daily medications, and their lifestyle. In particular, a common problem in older adults may be a lack of saliva, or a dry mouth.
Xerostomia, in medical terms, refers to a decrease in the amount of saliva in a person's mouth. Often, this condition is overlooked, affecting the mouth itself by not moistening the mouth as we all usually do. This condition prevents saliva from flowing out of our mouths, thus making it difficult for us to swallow and digest, speak, chew, kiss, make love, and even sing. Saliva protects and nourishes a person's teeth, lips, mouth, and throat. Lack of saliva can damage these parts, and without enough saliva to soften a person's mouth, wash food, and make the crust-producing acid weak, serious decay can develop.
Dry mouth is found mainly in adults and especially women. There are several factors involved when a person has a dry mouth. Some prescription drugs produce dry mouth as a side effect, such as high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, weight loss, allergies, pain, muscle relaxants, urinary incontinence, Parkinson's medication, and antihistamines.
In fact, over a thousand drugs can cause dry mouth, and if a person is addicted to too many drugs, there is a high chance of developing this condition. Decreased saliva or dry mouth is also associated with a number of rational mental states and medical conditions.
A significant cause of dry mouth may be Sjogren’s Syndrome, a condition characterized by general dryness of the saliva and other similar glands. Other causes of dehydration can be AIDS, dehydration, diabetes, and bone marrow transplants.
Another cause of dry mouth may be radiation therapy. This treatment for certain cancers (head and neck) can include radiation that can damage the salivary glands, and ultimately reduce saliva production. Depression also contributes to dry mouth. People who are clinically depressed or those who are overly anxious have a lower percentage of saliva flow.
Other natural causes could be aging (as mentioned earlier) and a decrease in a person's ability to chew. If thirst is a result of taking certain medications, it may be wise to seek advice from a physician who can adjust your medication and reduce your thirst. A simple solution would be to keep your mouth moist.
One can do this by drinking water or other sugar-free juices regularly. A person can also stimulate the flow of human saliva by eating foods that require massaging, chewing sugar-free gum, using sugar-sweetened sweets, or by sucking cherry, olive oil, or lemon peel or lime. Dry mouth should be taken care of, and consultation with a doctor is advised when a person feels dry in the mouth.
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