Why is my mouth dry even though I drink a lot of water?

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asked Aug 11 in Other- Health by Ondgiants (680 points)
Why is my mouth dry even though I drink a lot of water?

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answered Aug 11 by Jamie (55,970 points)
When your mouth is dry even though you drink a lot of water it is due to your salivary glands not producing enough saliva which can be caused by several things.

Dry mouth is a symptom of several conditions which include yeast infections in the mouth, stroke, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease or even autoimmune diseases like Sjogren syndrome or AIDS and HIV.

Being dehydrated and not drinking enough water or fluids can also lead to dry mouth.

Other things that can cause a dry mouth are mouth breathing and snoring.

If you get radiation therapy for cancer treatments the radiation therapy can also cause dry mouth.

Even certain medications can lead to dry mouth and make you need to drink more water and fluids.

Having a chronic dry mouth (when your mouth is dry all the time) could point to an underlying health condition.

Most often, dry mouth is a side effect of certain medications, including antihistamines, decongestants and some antidepressants.

A deficiency of vitamin A or B complex vitamins can also cause dry mouth.

A lack of vitamin A or B-complex vitamins can dry the mucous membranes in the mouth, leading to wounds in the mouth and on the tongue.

B-complex vitamins and vitamin A can be found in foods like fish, meat and eggs. Learn more about vitamin B12 deficiency and the symptoms associated with it.

Some home remedies that you can do to stop a dry mouth or treat a dry mouth include.

Sipping on some water or sugar-free drinks or suck on ice chips.
Chewing some sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candies.
Trying some saliva substitutes that contain xylitol and are available without a prescription.
Breathe through your nose, not your mouth.
Adding moisture to the air at night using a humidifier.
Moisturize your lips.

Common medications that cause dry mouth are diphenhydramine (Benadryl), Adderall (amphetamine salts), and oxybutynin.

Many antidepressants, opioids, and benzodiazepines, among other medications, can also cause dry mouth.

If you're experiencing dry mouth when taking these medications, it's recommended to talk to your doctor.

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