Dry throat and mouth can be caused by lifestyle habits or medication side effects. It can lead to difficulty swallowing, malnutrition, and dehydration. Dehydration is a common cause and can also result in a sore throat. Smoking and tobacco use can contribute to dryness. Treatment includes adding fluids and medication.
The most common causes of dry throat and mouth are usually related to lifestyle behaviors or are the result of a side effect of prescribed medications or medical procedures. A dry throat can usually cause a scratchy, uncomfortable sensation, which makes it difficult to swallow food or liquids and, in turn, can lead to malnutrition and dehydration if left untreated. Dry mouth is usually caused by dehydration, either due to lifestyle or an inability to swallow liquids. It is very common for dry throat and mouth to occur at the same time, as both conditions have a strong influence on each other.
The throat and mouth need saliva to pre-digest food particles and help them move through the body. Without saliva, however, it becomes very difficult for the body to digest and assimilate nutrients and can easily disrupt the process of moving food through the throat. One of the most common causes of dry throat and mouth is usually caused by dehydration, which can result from poor lifestyle habits or an inability to get clean water. Not only can dehydration cause dry throat and mouth, but it can also lead to a sore throat feeling over time, which makes it difficult for an individual to consume any liquids that could reverse dehydration.
Other lifestyle habits such as smoking and tobacco use can contribute to dry mouth and throat over time. Often these symptoms may be reversible following withdrawal from such substances, however it depends on the severity of the dryness and the duration of substance use. When you have a severe case of dry throat and mouth, your mouth may feel sore or swollen. Some medical therapies such as prescription drugs can help relieve or even cure these symptoms, depending on their severity.
If a dry throat occurs and is left untreated, an individual may be prone to malnutrition due to pain associated with eating. If dehydration is the root cause of your dry mouth or throat, gradually adding fluids can help reverse the dryness and soreness. Often a doctor will prescribe medications that will help treat more severe types of dry mouth and throat, as well as instruct the patient to drink more fluids. Looking at current prescriptions to determine if dry mouth and throat are a side effect can also help, as can breathing through the nose to avoid further drying out the mouth and throat.
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