Xerostomia

XEROSTOMIA (from Greek xeros-dry and stoma-mouth; xerostomia, aptyalism, morbus Zagerii), dryness in the mouth or a sensation of sticky saliva; the oral mucosa and tongue appear scantily moist with a color resembling fresh meat; the tongue is sometimes covered with cracks. The dryness may extend to the pharynx and nasal cavity. In individual cases, a decrease in secretion of the tear glands is observed. In advanced cases, taste and smell are affected, with difficulty swallowing and constipation appearing. Some authors have noted a 'galloping' form of dental caries associated with this condition. The essence of the disease lies in the reduced activity of the salivary and mucous glands of the oral cavity. The etiology of the disease is unknown; two forms of xerostomia are noted. The first form is associated with manifestations of chronic inflammatory processes of the salivary glands and mechanical obstacles in the excretory ducts. The second form is symptomatic, resulting from focal lesions of the nervous system in the brainstem area or diseases of the cranial nerves (VII-IX), with no changes found in the salivary glands. In rare cases, the cause is congenital - underdevelopment (atrophy or absence of the glands). As an independent disease, it occurs rarely, more often in women than in men, and predominantly in the elderly, rarely in middle-aged or young individuals. It should be distinguished from simple dryness in the mouth as a symptom of various diseases (diabetes mellitus and insipidus, diarrhea, bleeding, poisoning by toxins, in hysterical and melancholic individuals). Treatment is both causal and symptomatic. To facilitate swallowing, the oral cavity is lubricated with almond oil before meals, rinsed with mucilaginous decoctions (Decoct. Rad. Althaeae), and potassium iodide and pilocarpine are administered internally. Improvement has been noted after the insertion of prostheses.