Dry mouth is common during pregnancy due to faster metabolism and increased blood flow. Dehydration can cause dry mouth, and it may also be a symptom of gestational diabetes. Drinking fluids and avoiding caffeine can help, and medication side effects should be reported to a healthcare professional.
Dry mouth during pregnancy is a fairly common condition and can be caused by a number of reasons. Because your metabolism is faster during pregnancy, this can cause water to move through your body faster, especially when combined with frequent urination. Also, the body absorbs more water because blood flow increases dramatically in pregnant women. These things can both cause dehydration more quickly than women who aren’t pregnant. A dry mouth can also be a sign of gestational diabetes, a condition that affects approximately 2-10% of pregnant women.
Almost all women are susceptible to dry mouth during pregnancy unless they stay properly hydrated at all times. This can be difficult to do as the combination of frequent urination, vomiting, and a faster metabolism can easily lead to dehydration. Dehydration is a frequent cause of dry mouth in all individuals. Drinking more fluids can usually fix the problem.
It is necessary for people to drink plenty of fluids even if they are not thirsty because by the time thirst is felt, the body is already dehydrated. Clear water and juices are the best beverages to drink to maintain hydration, and sodas and other caffeinated beverages should be avoided. If dry mouth persists, this could be indicative of an underlying condition.
Between 2 and 10 percent of all pregnant women may experience dry mouth related to gestational diabetes. This is a condition that causes blood sugar to rise due to hormones in the placenta that affect how insulin processes glucose. It is treated using a combination of diet and exercise and usually resolves on its own once the baby is born. Dry mouth and extreme thirst are both symptoms of the disorder.
Only a doctor can definitively diagnose gestational diabetes. Tests are done to detect blood sugar levels both before and after you drink a sugar-rich solution. If the measurements remain high, it is confirmed that the woman is diabetic.
Other pregnant women may experience dry mouth due to taking medications, as various prescription drugs can cause it as a side effect. While it’s not usually serious, it can be bothersome and should be reported to a healthcare professional. If available, alternative medications may be given or the dosage may be changed.
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