Xerostomia Elderly
Dryness in the.
Xerostomia elderly. Signs and symptoms of dry mouth may include. To relieve your dry mouth. If youre not producing enough saliva you may notice these signs and symptoms all or most of the time. The best way to treat dry mouth known medically as xerostomia zeer o stoe me uh depends on whats causing it.
Dry mouth also known as xerostomia occurs when salivary glands dont make sufficient saliva to prevent the drying of the mouth. Cracking and fissuring of the oral mucosa or inner lining of the cheeks and lips in which skin at the corners of the mouth may split or become sore. Dryness or a feeling of stickiness in your mouth saliva that seems thick and stringy bad breath difficulty chewing speaking and swallowing dry or sore throat and hoarseness dry or grooved tongue. Causes of xerostomia in the geriatric population have been attributed to the use of medications chronic disorders and radiation therapy to the head and neck region.
In older people the most common cause is the use of medications with potential xerostomic effects mainly anticholinergic sympathomimetic sedative hypnotics opiates antihistamines and muscle relaxants 4. You can do some things to relieve dry mouth temporarily. Xerostomia or dry mouth is common among elderly people and is typically associated with decreased salivary gland function. Cheilitis or inflammation and fissuring splitting or cracking of the lips.
Talk to your aging loved ones doctor or dentist about any difficulty or changes in eating tasting swallowing talking or denture retention. Dry mouth in the elderly is often caused by medications and can have a big impact on a seniors health.