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. Alum also causes soap to lather poorly.
DEAR READER: Thank you for writing. Alum is often used in pickling but also induces vomiting, can have a drying affect on tissues and constrict blood vessels, which is why it is sometimes used to stop minor bleeding. Beyond that, it can be caustic if ingested and too much may cause death.
As I have said many times in the past, tap water is just as good as bottled water and much cheaper. For those that may have too much alum or lime in their drinking water, perhaps a filter is in order. There are many on the market today. Some attach directly to the faucet while others are part of a pitcher which can be filled and easily stored in the refrigerator. Individuals with wells with or without a water softening system who are concerned about their water source can have it inspected and tested. If the softening system is malfunctioning, call the installation company and have a technician come out to repair or replace it. Hard water (which contains lime) is not harmful to health but too much sodium in drinking water may lead to high blood pressure.
Readers who are interested in learning more can order my Health Report “Hypertension” by sending a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and a $2 US check or money order to Dr. Peter Gott, PO Box 433, Lakeville, CT 06039. Be sure to mention the title when writing or print an order form from my website, www.AskDrGottMD.com.
