Dentists warn about Dry Mouth: Know its meaning, symptoms and treatment

If you have been checking off on your hydration goals daily and yet feel constantly dry in the mouth, then you could likely have dry mouth. Also known as Xerostomia, this is an oral health condition that reduces saliva flow, leading to various symptoms including bad breath, rapid tooth decay and more.

How common is dry mouth?

According to dentosts, the condition is more common than you think. Dry mouth affects about one in five people, as per the experts. However, Dr. Kourosh Maddahi, a dentist shared that the condition is underdiagnosed as people often mistake it with dehydration. And the longer it remains undiagnosed the more damage it creates for your oral health.

A 2023 report be the dental association stated that dry mouth affects about 10-26 % of men and 10-33%  of women. Globally, about 22 % of the population is estimated to have xerostomia.

How would you know if you have dry mouth? Check for these symptoms and follow the treatments mentioned below-

Dry mouth- What are the common symptoms?

The dentists state that xerostomia can cause the following symptoms-

Burning feeling in the mouth

Problems in chewing, swallowing, tastings or speaking

Altered taste

Dry or sore throat

Mouth sores

Bad breath

Cracked or peeling lips

If any of these symptoms persist for long, consulting a professional for diagnosis is advised.

Dry mouth- What are the treatments?

The 1^st step in the treatment is of course consulting with a dentist, who can examine the severity of the condition and assess the decay. Most treatments for dry mouth consist of over-the-counter products such as mouthwashes, gels, chewing gums and lozenges.

However, sometimes longer lifestyle changes such as avoiding certain food items and drinks are also required.

Understanding dry mouth or xerostomia

In simple words, dry mouth is a condition that makes the mouth feel dry due to anindequate amount of saliva.

The most frequent causes of the condition are the use of certain medications. As per 2018 study. Urologic medications, antidepressants and psycholeptics were associated with dry mouth in adults. Additionally, chemotherapy or head and neck cancer radiotherapy can also cause the condition as they directly cause toxicity to salivary glands and oral tissues. And tobacco and cannabis use can also accelerate it.

Dry mouth can be damaging to oral health because of the changes it causes to the amount and consistency of saliva in the mouth. Saliva is a natural antibiotic in the mouth and protects it from bacteria, acts as a lubricant, and cleans plaque and other particles from the teeth. It also remineralises tooth enamel as it is packed with calcium and phosphate, making the teeth resistant to decay.

With a lack of saliva in the mouth, all the symptoms of dry mouth can amp up the progression of the condition and lead to more damage.

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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If you have been checking off on your hydration goals daily  ..

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What Is GBS Disorder? Symptoms You Should Know

Pune has reported more than 100 cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS), with one suspected death reported in Solapur, the Maharashtra government has confirmed.

Initial reports indicate that the deceased may have contracted the infection in Pune before travelling to Solapur. A total of 28 new GBS cases were reported, bringing the overall count to 101.

How Much Do We Know About GBS?

The neurological disorder is rare condition, with exact causes not known. Two-thirds of people have symptoms of an infection in the six weeks before Guillain-Barre symptoms begin. Infections can include a respiratory or a gastrointestinal infection, including Covid-19. Guillain-Barre also can be caused by the Zika virus.

GBS can cause numbness, weakness or paralysis. The first symptoms include weakness and tingling in the hands, feet. The sensations quickly spread and may lead to paralysis.

The most serious form of Guillain-Barre syndrome is a medical emergency. Most people with the condition need treatment in a hospital, according to Mayo Clinic.

Other symptoms may include unsteady walk or not being able to walk or climb stairs, trouble with facial movements, including speaking, chewing or swallowing, double vision or inability to move the eyes, severe pain that may feel achy, shooting or cramp-like and may be worse at night, trouble with bladder control or bowel function, rapid heart rate, low or high blood pressure and trouble breathing.

There Are Two Types Of GBS:

Acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (AIDP) is the most common form of GBS found in North America and Europe. The most common sign of AIDP is muscle weakness that starts in the lower part of the body and spreads upwards.

Miller Fisher syndrome (MFS) in which paralysis starts in the eyes. MFS is also associated with an unsteady walk. MFS is less common in the US but more common in Asia.

Acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) and acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy (AMSAN) are less common in the US. But AMAN and AMSAN are more frequent in China, Japan and Mexico.

What Are The Causes And Complications?

Although the exact cause of GBS is not known, but the disease usually appears days or weeks after a respiratory or digestive tract infection.

A senior medical officer from the Maharashtra health department told CNN-News18 Guillain-Barre Syndrome’s symptoms usually become prominent after a respiratory or digestive tract infection. He pointed out that a bacterial or viral infection, recent vaccination, surgery and neuropathy can trigger Guillain-Barre Syndrome. He has appealed to the people to not panic saying that even though GBS is a rare disease, it can be treated.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infection with Campylobacter jejuni, which causes gastroenteritis, is one of the most common risk factors for GBS. Other triggers include viral infections such as cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, and, in rare cases, vaccinations, Some of the GBS symptoms are triggered by campylobacter, a type of bacteria often found in undercooked poultry, influenza virus, Zika virus, Hepatitis A, B, C and E, HIV, Mycoplasma pneumonia, Covid-19 and surgery.

In the GBS, the body begins attacking the nerves instead of killing the organisms. In AIDP, the nerves’ protective covering, known as the myelin sheath, is damaged. This prevents nerves from transmitting signals to the brain, causing weakness, numbness or paralysis.

People infected with GBS may experience trouble in breathing. Up to 22% of people with Guillain-Barre syndrome need temporary help from a machine to breathe within the first week when they are hospitalised for treatment.

Most people with Guillain-Barre syndrome recover completely or have only minor, residual weakness, numbness or tingling. Blood pressure fluctuations and irregular heart rhythms are common side effects of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Sluggish bowel function and urine retention may result from Guillain-Barre syndrome. People whose movements are less due to Guillain-Barre syndrome are at risk of developing blood clots.

People are advised to maintain proper hygiene, consume boiled water, and seek medical attention if they experience symptoms such as muscle weakness or difficulty breathing.

What Is The Situation In Pune?

The first suspected GBS case was hospitalised on January 9. Laboratory tests have detected the presence of Campylobacter jejuni bacteria in biological samples taken from hospitalised patients.

Of the confirmed cases, 16 patients are on ventilator support. An analysis of the cases indicates that 19 patients are below the age of nine, while 23 are within the 50-80 age bracket. The gender distribution reveals that 68 patients are male, and 33 are female.

While authorities are investigating potential sources of infection, water contamination cannot be ruled out as a major cause. Tests conducted on water samples have revealed high levels of E. coli bacteria in a well near Khadakwasla Dam, which is Pune’s primary water source. However, it remains uncertain whether the well was in use.

Health officials have surveyed 25,578 households in order to trace the source of the outbreak.

The GBS treatment requires immunoglobulin (IVIG) injection, which is priced at Rs 20,000. Patients often require multiple injections, which add up the financial burden. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar stated, “The treatment is expensive. After discussions with officials from the district administration and municipal corporation, we have decided to provide free treatment. Those from Pimpri-Chinchwad will be treated at YCM Hospital, while patients from Pune Municipal Corporation areas will receive treatment at Kamla Nehru Hospital. For citizens from rural areas, free treatment will be provided at Sassoon Hospital in Pune."

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakashrao Abitkar told CNN-News18 that he will be reaching Pune soon, and there is no need to panic. He mentioned that GBS had existed before and is not a communicable disease. “We are taking all measures to contain the surge," he said.

 

 

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

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8 Early Symptoms of Muscle Degeneration

Are you familiar with muscular dystrophy? This is a condition caused by a gene mutation that leads to progressive damage and the loss of muscle cells in your body. It includes over 150 types of degenerative muscle diseases acting in different ways. Yet, they all begin with some mild symptoms which if left unnoticed, slowly progress with time. Here are the eight most common warning signs of muscle degeneration you should never ignore.

1. Pain and stiffness in muscles

Loss of muscle cells usually causes a feeling of weakness in your muscles. Therefore, if you have problems when getting up from a chair, brushing your hair, lifting an object or you keep dropping things on the floor, you probably suffer from muscular dystrophy. You may also notice contractures, reduced flexibility, and frequent muscle pain. This indicates that something is wrong with your muscles. Furthermore, symptoms such as prolonged spasms, as well as the stiffening and tightness of arm and leg muscles may be a sign of myotonia - this is a serious condition that requires medical treatment. 

 

2. Enlarged calves 

If you have enlarged calf muscles it may be a sign of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This disease usually occurs at an early age in boys and worsens very quickly. If you do suffer from the Duchenne disorder, your calf muscles are often affected first because they are used a lot when you try to stabilize your body. In this case, what happens is that the original muscles eventually get replaced by fat and scar tissue.

3. Curved spine

Are your muscles strong enough to hold your spine straight? You may be suffering from a poor posture that can lead to scoliosis with time. Because of this condition, your spine will curve to either the left or the right side. This will cause the internal organs to change their position. Scoliosis usually comes about in teenagers and is more often diagnosed in females as opposed to males. The disease may have many negative effects on your health, including headaches and leg pain. 

 

4. Breathing problems  

When cases of scoliosis are severe, progressive muscle weakness can affect your chest muscles associated with the process of breathing. Though you may not feel shortness of breath itself, you may experience some problems that indicate poor respiratory function such as headaches, difficulty concentrating and nightmares. Weak chest muscles may make it difficult for you to cough, leading to an increased risk of a serious respiratory infection. So if not treated properly, a simple cold can quickly progress to pneumonia.  

 

5. Speech, chewing, and swallowing difficulties

When you experience eating problems, including the loss of the ability to chew food or to swallow it, as well as coughing, choking or a muffled voice after eating may be the first signs of Kennedy's disease. This disease may present itself at any age but is most commonly developed in middle adult life. Aside from eating difficulties, you may also experience other symptoms such as a change in speech, a nasal voice and even complete atrophy of facial, jaw and tongue muscles. All require immediate medical treatment.

6. Heart problems 

In several forms of muscular dystrophy, progressive changes in the functioning of the heart may occur. These changes, known as cardiomyopathy, may have no symptoms at an early stage, though some people do experience symptoms like shortness of breath, tiredness or leg swelling. But due to this disorder, your heart muscle can't work as perfectly as it's supposed to work which is why you may acquire symptoms such as an irregular heartbeat, fainting, and dizziness with time.  

 

7. Cataracts

People who have myotonic dystrophy often suffer from various eye problems, in addition to muscle wasting. These problems include weakness in the eye muscles, weepy eyes, low eye pressure and cataracts. A cataract is the most common sign of muscular dystrophy. It refers to a clouding of the lens inside your eye and typically leads to blurry vision, faded colors, trouble with bright lights as well as night vision problems. 

 

8. Balding and infertility in men 

Men with myotonic dystrophy may also go through hormonal changes. When such a hormonal imbalance occurs, it typically causes early balding in the front part of a man's scalp that often develops during their 20s or 30s. The endocrine disorder may also cause impotence and testicular atrophy in men. This condition generally leads to infertility.  

 

How can you treat muscular dystrophy? 

While there technically is no cure for muscular degeneration, you can still do some simple things to keep your muscles strong and healthy: 

 

1. Exercise regularly: Since your muscles go through the process of gradual weakening, one of the best ways to slow it down is to exercise on a daily basis. Regular low-intensity physical activities and stretching will help you stimulate your body and build muscles naturally. 

 

2. Eat foods that are rich in vitamins E and D: Suffer from muscular weakness? Eat more salmon, sardines, shrimp, cheese, eggs, almonds, avocados, broccoli and olive oil. 

 

3. Use turmeric powder when cooking: This old Indian spice contains a powerful compound called curcumin which may help in preventing muscle wasting. 

 

4. Add baking soda to your bath: Because of its alkaline nature, this substance can protect your muscles and remove aches, pains and inflammation in them.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement