All About Radiation Xerostomia

Whatever the cause the parched sensation is not only distracting and painful but can set the stage for infections cavities and tooth decay. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy cause dry mouth by damaging the salivary glands.

Radiotherapy Sequel A Xerostomia B Radiation Induced Oral
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Morphine is a common but often overlooked cause of dry mouth.

All about radiation xerostomia. Xerostomia is the subjective sensation of dry mouth which is often but not always associated with hypofunction of the salivary glands. A drug or substance that increases the rate of salivary flow is termed a sialogogue. Xerostomia is not a disease but it may be a symptom of various medical conditions a side effect of a radiation to the head and neck or a side effect of a wide variety of medications.

A large variety of causes can lead to xerostomia eg radiotherapy and chemotherapy 1 4 the chronic use of drugs 5 7 and rheumatic and dysmetabolic diseases. Other drugs that cause dry mouth include tricyclic antidepressants antihistamines antimuscarinic drugs anti epileptic drugs antipsychotics beta blockers and diuretics. Xerostomia dry mouth is a common problem that can be caused by numerous factors including drugs radiation therapy to the head and neck sjogren syndrome diabetes mellitus human immunodeficiency virus hiv infection sarcoidosis amyloidosis smoking mouth breathing and dehydration.

Reduce the dose or change the drug if possible. Chemotherapy causes dry mouth by making saliva thicker. Radiation therapy to the head face or neck may also cause dry mouth.

It is a side effect commonly associated with radiation therapy in people undergoing cancer treatment. Cancer patients often get dry mouth xerostomia in medical terms after radiation to the head and neck or when taking certain medicines. Drugs are a common cause of dry mouth.

Causes of dry mouth. Xerostomia is defined as dry mouth resulting from reduced or absent saliva flow. Xerostomia also known as dry mouth is caused when the salivary glands do not produce enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.

But this is usually a temporary symptom that clears up about 2 to 8 weeks after treatment ends. Xerostomia is a term used to describe the subjective symptoms of a dry mouth deriving from a lack of saliva. The term is derived from the greek words xhros xeros meaning dry and stoma stoma meaning mouth.

Helping patients with dry mouth introduction.

Acupuncture Reduces Radiation Induced Dry Mouth For Cancer
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