Disease or Syndrome
xerostomia
[ zeer-uh-stoh-mee-uh ]
Subclass of:
Salivary Gland Diseases
Etymology:
Greek xeros = dry + stoma = mouth
Definitions related to xerostomia:
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(dry mouth) Dry mouth is the feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while - if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems. Symptoms of dry mouth include A sticky, dry feeling in the mouth; Trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking; A burning feeling in the mouth; A dry feeling in the throat; Cracked lips; A dry, rough tongue; Mouth sores; An infection in the mouth. Dry mouth is not a normal part of aging. Causes include some medicines, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and nerve damage. Salivary gland diseases, Sjogren's syndrome, HIV/AIDS, and diabetes can also cause dry mouth. Treatment depends on the cause. Things you can do include sipping water, avoiding drinks with caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, and chewing sugarless gum or sucking on sugarless hard candy. NIH: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial ResearchMedlinePlusU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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(dry mouth) The condition of not having enough saliva to keep the mouth moist.U.S. FDA GlossaryU.S. Food & Drug Administration, 2021
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Dry mouth. It occurs when the body is not able to make enough saliva.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Dryness of the mouth due to salivary gland dysfunction.Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO)The Human Phenotype Ontology Project, 2021
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Dryness of the oral mucosa secondary to a decrease in saliva production, or a change in saliva composition.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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(dry mouth) A disorder characterized by reduced salivary flow in the oral cavity.Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse EventsU.S. National Institutes of Health, 2021
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Xerostomia is dry mouth caused by reduced or absent flow of saliva. This condition can result in discomfort, interfere with speech and swallowing, make wearing dentures difficult, cause halitosis, and impair oral hygiene by causing a decrease in oral pH and an increase in bacterial growth. Long-standing xerostomia can result in severe...Merck & Co., Inc., 2020
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Dry mouth, or xerostomia (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), refers to a condition in which the salivary glands in your mouth don't make enough saliva to keep your mouth wet. Dry mouth is often due to the side effect of certain medications or aging issues or as a result of radiation therapy for cancer. Less often, dry mouth may be caused by a condition...Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
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