find out when to worry about dry mouth during the season

Winter officially started on June 21st and it is already possible to feel the dry climate of the coldest season of the year. One of the main complaints people have during this period is that feeling of dry mouth, also called xerostomia, a common factor that happens because of the drop in humidity.

However, you need to be alert when you have this symptom, as punctuates head and neck specialist, Ullyanov Toscano.

“Caused by a series of conditions, it can also arise as a result of the use of certain medications, dehydration, rheumatological diseases or even due to cancer treatment”, points out the head and neck surgeon, from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

In this season, it is normal to consume more liquids because of the less humid air. However, anxiety, excessive consumption of salt or spicy foods, and the use of medication are some reasons that can lead you to drink water and not quench your thirst. But that urge too much can be worrying, and even a sign of some disease, such as diabetes. This is because glucose pulls a very large amount of liquid into the blood vessels and, when reaching the kidneys, this volume is eliminated in the urine, leading to dehydration. Therefore, Dr. Toscano signals that if this happens, the measure to be taken is to seek medical attention to investigate the cause.

For those who suffer from the problem, you also need to pay attention to food. “Dry foods can make symptoms worse, such as crackers and bread. Also reduce the consumption of spicy or salty ingredients, rich in sugar or acids, as they cause the discomfort of dry mouth. Also avoid tobacco and alcohol, which can be the main cause of xerostomia”, signals the doctor.

If you have a dry mouth, it could also be due to the environment you work in, such as offices where the air conditioning is on all day. Therefore, sometimes the symptom may just be due to time and not a prolonged situation. If you observe this sign, the specialist recommends using humidifiers and consuming a lot of liquid.

“In addition, laser biostimulation; mouthwashes, popularly known as mouthwash or mouthwash; artificial saliva and chewing gum are some alternative treatments available. Consult your doctor and see what best suits your profile”, concludes the specialist.

Ullyanov Toscano: Graduated in Medicine from the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) and Ph.D. in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). Currently, he is a head and neck surgeon at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and a head and neck surgeon at the National Cancer Institute (INCA). He has experience in the following topics: head and neck tumors, squamous cell carcinoma, head and neck surgery, robotics and basal cell carcinoma.

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