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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
Should I worry about other issues?
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
Should I worry about other issues?
by mymomissick, Jul 06, 2004 12:00AM
My question is prinicpaly about dry mouth. I'm a 25 year old male. I'm overweight and have high cholesterol, but am otherwise healthy.
A couple months ago a doctor I saw recommended a blood test to see if I had a pre-diabetic condition. Turns out I did not.
In the past couple months my dry mouth problems have been getting worse. Supposedely this can lead to sleep apnia (apnea) too, which is very dangerous. I don't remember ever waking up constantly throughout the night (but then again, does one realize when one's doing this?), yet I have had problems waking up too early in the morning, when I wanted and NEEDED to sleep more, and not being able to go back to sleep due to the dry mouth being so bad. (Constantly having to sip the water cup on my night stand, which inevitably just woke me up.)
Important:
Up to a couple weeks ago I had HORRIBLE dental hygiene, as in I hardly ever EVEN brushed. I know my oral hygiene has been gettind really bad, and I just didn't change my habits for so long. In the past couple weeks however Ive been sticking to a rigorous dental hygiene routine of brushing, flossing, and mouthwashing.
Consequently (I think consequently) my dry mouth issues have been getting much, much better in the past couple weeks. I believe I'm sleeping much better in the morning now. I don't feel sleep deprived, thank God (I HATE that feeling).
However, in all the research I did online for dry mouth, it always says that bad oral hygiene can be a RESULT of dry mouth, but it never says it could be a CAUSE. But in my case, I think, I hope, and it appears to be that bad oral hygiene was the CAUSE of the dry mouth (I hope, because it is reversable and is not a sign of a more serious condition). But why doesn't the information about dry mouth every say that? That is, the bad dental hygiene ITSELF can CAUSE dry mouth, not necesarily these other more serious medical conditions?
The dentist I just saw today says my teeth and gums are in good shape, and he says it would make sense that if I've been getting rigorous with my brushing and flossing and mouthwash, that that would explain the dry mouth getting better.
I also notice that if I eat whole foods lows in refined sugars, especially in the 2nd half of the day, that that significantly reduces the dry mouth problem the next day.
My main question is, do I need to still worry about other, more serious medical conditions? From what I've said so far, should I see a doctor to attempt to better diagnose my dry mouth problem, in case there is more serious issue?
Or, can I take the negative results of that recent blood test for pre-diabetes and add that to the knowledge that better dental hygiene seems to be making a difference, I'm sleeping better, and conclude, at least for now, that by continuing to take care of my teeth and eat well, that my dry mouth will continue to go away and that I should be problem free?
Also, might the fact that I smok marijuana everyday affect my dry mouth?
A couple months ago a doctor I saw recommended a blood test to see if I had a pre-diabetic condition. Turns out I did not.
In the past couple months my dry mouth problems have been getting worse. Supposedely this can lead to sleep apnia (apnea) too, which is very dangerous. I don't remember ever waking up constantly throughout the night (but then again, does one realize when one's doing this?), yet I have had problems waking up too early in the morning, when I wanted and NEEDED to sleep more, and not being able to go back to sleep due to the dry mouth being so bad. (Constantly having to sip the water cup on my night stand, which inevitably just woke me up.)
Important:
Up to a couple weeks ago I had HORRIBLE dental hygiene, as in I hardly ever EVEN brushed. I know my oral hygiene has been gettind really bad, and I just didn't change my habits for so long. In the past couple weeks however Ive been sticking to a rigorous dental hygiene routine of brushing, flossing, and mouthwashing.
Consequently (I think consequently) my dry mouth issues have been getting much, much better in the past couple weeks. I believe I'm sleeping much better in the morning now. I don't feel sleep deprived, thank God (I HATE that feeling).
However, in all the research I did online for dry mouth, it always says that bad oral hygiene can be a RESULT of dry mouth, but it never says it could be a CAUSE. But in my case, I think, I hope, and it appears to be that bad oral hygiene was the CAUSE of the dry mouth (I hope, because it is reversable and is not a sign of a more serious condition). But why doesn't the information about dry mouth every say that? That is, the bad dental hygiene ITSELF can CAUSE dry mouth, not necesarily these other more serious medical conditions?
The dentist I just saw today says my teeth and gums are in good shape, and he says it would make sense that if I've been getting rigorous with my brushing and flossing and mouthwash, that that would explain the dry mouth getting better.
I also notice that if I eat whole foods lows in refined sugars, especially in the 2nd half of the day, that that significantly reduces the dry mouth problem the next day.
My main question is, do I need to still worry about other, more serious medical conditions? From what I've said so far, should I see a doctor to attempt to better diagnose my dry mouth problem, in case there is more serious issue?
Or, can I take the negative results of that recent blood test for pre-diabetes and add that to the knowledge that better dental hygiene seems to be making a difference, I'm sleeping better, and conclude, at least for now, that by continuing to take care of my teeth and eat well, that my dry mouth will continue to go away and that I should be problem free?
Also, might the fact that I smok marijuana everyday affect my dry mouth?
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jul 07, 2004 12:00AM
, Jul 07, 2004 12:00AM
There are several causes for a dry mouth. One would be if you were a mouth breather at night. This can be caused by any variety of sinus problems - including deviated nasal septum, chronic sinusitis or allergies. If these are suspected, you can consider a referral to an ENT or allergy specialist, or try a nasal steroid spray.
Sleep apnea certainly can be considered. Being overweight puts you at risk for this. If this is suspected, then an overnight sleep study can be considered.
Many medications can also cause a dry month - typically medications known as "anti-cholinergics". You may want to discuss with your personal physician if you are taking any medications of these class.
Certainly, it is possible that marijuana can influence the severity of your dry mouth.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
Sleep apnea certainly can be considered. Being overweight puts you at risk for this. If this is suspected, then an overnight sleep study can be considered.
Many medications can also cause a dry month - typically medications known as "anti-cholinergics". You may want to discuss with your personal physician if you are taking any medications of these class.
Certainly, it is possible that marijuana can influence the severity of your dry mouth.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b
