Why do I experience dry mouth and thirst?
Disease description:
My younger sister is 32 years old this year. Recently, she constantly feels dehydrated inside her body, has dry skin, and experiences insomnia with frequent dreams at night. She wants to know why she's having a dry mouth and throat.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
Dry mouth and thirst may result from a combination of physiological, environmental, medicinal, disease-related, and psychological factors.
1. Physiological and Environmental Factors: Physiological causes such as thirst, prolonged lack of water intake, rapid breathing, and intense physical exercise, along with environmental factors like dry climate conditions and extended exposure to air-conditioned rooms, can all reduce saliva secretion and lead to dry mouth and thirst.
2. Medication Factors: Certain medications, including antihypertensives and anticholinergic drugs, can decrease salivary secretion in the mouth, leading to fluid and electrolyte imbalances in the body.
3. Disease-Related Factors: Various medical conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, hyperthyroidism, Sjögren's syndrome, and diabetes may impair the secretory function of salivary glands, resulting in dry mouth and thirst.
4. Psychological Factors: Emotional tension, anxiety, and excessive stress may also interfere with normal salivary gland secretion, causing dry mouth and thirst.
