Water may be cause of dry mouth

February 29, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: A past column included a letter from a person that drinks lots of water but continues to have a dry mouth. I agree that certain medications can cause dry mouth but I have an alternative to consider that may be simpler.

My husband and I have run a water treatment company for more than 20 years. One thing that is used quite often to clean water and make it potable (drinkable), is alum. When too much is used, it leaves you with a dry mouth and wanting to drink more.

This became evident to me early in our business on a cruise ship when I was constantly thirsty even after drinking the ship’s water and again recently when my sister-in-law and I each drank a different brand of bottled water and were thirsty again within five minutes. [Read more…]

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Dealing with dry mouth and increased thirst

October 10, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: What health concerns are indicated by dry mouth and an insatiable thirst?

DEAR READER: Dry mouth is a rather vague symptom and can be an indication of several disorders or side effects of certain medications or habits, such as smoking. Increased thirst can result as the body attempts to restore moisture to the mouth.

Because your letter is so short, I cannot provide a definitive answer, but based on your wording, I will give you some information about the two most likely (in my mind) candidates: Sjogren’s syndrome and diabetes insipidus.

Sjogren’s syndrome is an immune-system disorder caused by the body mistakenly attacking itself. It affects the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands, causing decreased production. It most commonly affects the eyes and mouth.
[Read more…]

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Benadryl side effects

May 29, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I get severe leg cramps when I use Benadryl. Is it because I get dry mouth from the medication?

DEAR READER: There are a number of different Benadryl products on the market, each containing different inactive ingredients. And, as I have reported on countless occasions, all medications can carry side effects. As you have discovered, a common one in many Benadryl products is dry mouth. Furthermore, diphenhydramine/ibuprofen can cause numbness of an arm or leg and unusual joint or muscle pain.
Consider a trial without this medication. If your symptoms stop, you will have the answer. If you feel you need an antihistamine, speak with your physician regarding a substitution.

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Medication linked to metallic taste

April 22, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 80-year-old widow. Five months ago, I started having a metallic taste in my mouth, a sore tongue and a dry mouth. My first thought was that it might be a bad tooth or filling, but my dentist ruled that out. Then I discovered the problems were because of citalopram, a medication I had been taking for one and a half years. My doctor cut my dosage in half, but that didn’t rid me of the side effects. I tried two other medications: One was the same with a different name, and the other made me nauseated. At the present time, I am not taking any of these.

My problem now is that I don’t know where to go for relief. Nothing tastes good, not even water. Any advice you can offer will be greatly appreciated. I hope you can shed some light on my problem because so far I haven’t been able to get any answers.
[Read more…]

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Dry mouth has many causes

March 20, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am experiencing dry mouth. What are the causes and what can I do to overcome it? My doctor did blood work, and I don’t have Sjogren’s syndrome.

DEAR READER: There are countless causes for dry mouth. I will review a few of the more common possibilities. Medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, are often to blame. Are you on any decongestant, antihistamine, antihypertensive, anxiety or anti-diarrheal medication? Are you elderly? Do you have a history of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer or stroke? Do you smoke, snore or are you a mouth breather? [Read more…]

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Daily Column

June 5, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I recently read your letter about the reader who uses a Tic Tac for nighttime dry mouth.

I use Hall’s Sugar Free Cough Drops because I am diabetic. Please put this tip in the paper for others to use.

DEAR READER:
Several people wrote to me regarding dry mouth and their solutions to the issue. One indicated she spoke with her dental hygienist regarding the sugar content. The reader then wrote to the manufacturer and recommended they make a sugar-free version. She received a polite note thanking her for her letter and a coupon for a free package of Tic Tacs (which wasn’t what she was looking for), but in the meantime found sugar-free Altoids work even better. The only problem is that they dissolve more rapidly than Tic Tacs. Now I have three recommendations to share with readers. Thank you for writing.

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Daily Column

April 25, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
My husband and I have read many times about people suffering from “dry mouth”. We, too, have this problem, which we think is caused by some of the medication we take.

Somewhere I read that Tic-Tacs are good for this problem. When I go to bed at night, I simply place the mint between my lower gum and cheek. I don’t suck it; I just let it dissolve during the night. It seems to keep my saliva glands working and prevents my mouth my drying out at night.

I hope this may help others the way it helps me.

DEAR READER:
The Tic-Tac solution is fairly new to me. I wrote about it once, some time ago. If it works, great. My only concern is the sugar content in the mint and the possibility of cavities developing in the area (after repeated use) the Tic-Tac is placed.

Readers, let me know if you have any experience relieving dry mouth with Tic-Tacs or similar candies. I will print a follow-up column in the future.

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