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Dry mouth in menopause
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Due to the hormonal changes that are observed in the female body after 50 years, the deterioration of the oral cavity is possible - its mucous membrane reacts sharply to the level of progesterone, as well as estrogen in the body. Burning and dry mouth in menopause begins to manifest when a woman has a deficit of these hormones.
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Causes of the dry mouth with menopause
In the menopause period, the woman begins to decrease the activity of the ovaries, as well as the production of the body sex hormones. This is the reason for the dryness of all mucous membranes, including in the oral cavity.
Read also: Dryness in the vagina during menopause
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Symptoms of the dry mouth with menopause
The state of dry mouth can be identified by the presence of such symptoms:
- Strong thirst;
- Dryness in the oral cavity, as well as a feeling of stickiness;
- Appearance of small cracks on the labial rim and in the corners of the lips;
- Sensation of dryness in the throat and nose;
- The tongue becomes rigid, reddens and itches;
- There are problems with swallowing, it becomes difficult to talk;
- The activity of taste buds is reduced;
- There is hoarse voice;
- There may be pain in the throat;
- Unpleasant odor from the mouth.
Similar symptoms are rare autoimmune disease, which is called Sjogren's syndrome. With it, multiple lesions of all mucous membranes in the body are observed - with a pronounced xerosis syndrome. In general, this pathology develops in women who entered the postmenopausal period. Its manifestations are a feeling of dryness in the throat and mouth, the appearance of wounds in the corners of the mouth, burning in the eyeballs.
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Complications and consequences
Among the complications, it must first be emphasized that this phenomenon causes considerable discomfort. In addition, since saliva is a barrier to the development of pathogenic bacteria, in case of dryness, the risk of various diseases (such as caries, candidiasis, gingivitis, etc.) multiplies. Also, dryness in the oral cavity complicates the process of wearing dentures.
What do need to examine?
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Differential diagnosis
Dry mouth in menopause should be differentiated with such diseases:
- HIV;
- stroke;
- diabetes;
- anemia;
- Sjogren's syndrome;
- tremor paralysis;
- Alzheimer's disease;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- lowering blood pressure.
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Treatment of the dry mouth with menopause
Symptoms of the disease weaken after the appointment of a gynecologist various medicines used in menopause - it's vitamins, sedatives, as well as non-hormonal and hormone drugs, and in addition antidepressants.
Medications
To increase the speed of saliva production, drugs such as Proserin, Thermopsis, and in addition, Galantamine, the mother-stepmother and potassium iodide are prescribed. To soften the manifestations of menopause also contribute to multivitamins, which contain complexes of groups B and C, as well as A and E. They should be used for 21 days, then take a break for 21 days. And repeat the course again.
Alternative treatment
Remove dry mouth can be alternative methods of treatment.
Hourly drink infusion of Echinacea on alcohol (10 drops.). The treatment course should last for a maximum of 2 months.
Spice up the food with a pinch of chili pepper (red), as it contains capsaicin, which stimulates the salivary glands.
You can also keep small ice cubes in your mouth and lubricate your lips using moisturizing cream or balm.
You can moisten and thin the food using sauces. In addition, it is recommended to eat soft and warm food, giving up hard products - for example, nuts or crackers. You also need to stop eating dried fruits and loaves.
In order not to provoke the occurrence of dryness in the mouth, you need to give up smoking, because it greatly enhances the manifestations of this pathology. Along with this, it is necessary to stop drinking alcohol - it not only exerts a drying effect, but has pronounced diuretic properties, because of which the body loses fluid even more actively.
More information of the treatment
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Forecast
Dry mouth in menopause is not a life-threatening symptom, but it can deliver a certain discomfort. In general, the prognosis for dryness in the oral cavity depends on the type of disease that provoked it and the nature of its development, and in addition to the degree of activity of the salivary glands.
In all situations, except when there is complete atrophy of the salivary glands, with a responsible approach to treatment, you can significantly improve the condition or even completely get rid of the disease.
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