mucus membrane in the mouth

I am a 56 year old female, just entering menopause, completely healthy, fit, and physically active.A few month ago, some change occurred in the mucus membrane of my mouth. It looks the same, but it feels like there is not enough mucus being generated, and there is a feeling of "friction" between the gums and the inner surface of the lips, and between the tongue and the inner surfaces of the mouth. What can this be? and how can it be treated? It is quite uncomfortable.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

What you seem to be having is called xerostomia(dry mouth).It can be due to tress and anxiety,depression,diabetes,Sjogren’s syndrome, medications,consumption of alcoholic beverages, physical trauma to the salivary glands, dehydration caused by lack of sufficient fluids, excessive breathing through the mouth, previous radiation therapy or endocrine diseases.

Normally as a person ages,xerostomia is found but it is to some degree.If you are having severe xerostomia ,then these possibilities need to be probed.Treatment will depend on the diagnosis.
Hope it helps. Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries.