In the article, we will examine the question of why drooling during sleep. Often after awakening, people observe saliva traces on the pillow. This phenomenon does not cause any particular inconvenience. However, it is very interesting why during sleep, drooling from the mouth of an adult. Let's analyze the main reasons.
Causes
There can be several provocateurs of this phenomenon:
- digestive tract diseases;
- taking medications;
- angina;
- disruption of the nervous system;
- dental defects;
- bulbar syndrome;
- malocclusion;
- alcohol intoxication.
To find out the cause of the excessive flow of saliva at night, you need to see a doctor. There are quite a few reasons. The specialist will recommend the necessary examinations and laboratory tests. Then, on the basis of the received diagnostic information, he will be sent to a specialist with a narrow profile. So why do you drool during sleep?
Digestive diseases
As a rule, excessive nighttime salivation occurs with gastritis, which is accompanied by an increase in the level of acidity. It can also be observed with ulcerative lesions of the digestive system. Intensive activation of the salivary glands is a kind of protection that occurs when there is a need to reduce the amount of gastric juice. Increased salivation softens the effects of acid, which is released into the esophagus. Due to this, unpleasant sensations in the form of bitterness in the mouth are reduced. Why, during sleep, drooling from an adult’s mouth is interesting to many.
Medication
The use of a number of drugs can provoke a strong outflow of saliva during sleep. As a rule, antiviral medications that contain ascorbic acid cause a similar problem. Given this factor, antiviral drugs should not be taken before bedtime. However, if the patient has a chronic illness, and he is prescribed systemic medications, you must consult a doctor to reduce the dosage. And if that is not the reason, then why are drooling during sleep?
Angina
Such a disease is accompanied by intense pain in the throat and severe salivation, especially at night. In addition, the patient has a fever, tonsils swell and redden, general weakness is felt. With angina, excessive secretion can be observed for about a week. So the body tries to defend itself against the attack of dangerous bacteria. A similar symptom signals the reproduction of pathogens in the oral cavity. And the body’s first reaction to the development of the inflammatory process is an abundant saliva flow, through which microbes are removed. This is why drooling during sleep.
Violation of the functions of the nervous system
If a person suffers from an excessive course of saliva from the mouth during sleep, this may signal the presence of the following pathological phenomena:
- improper blood circulation in the brain, provoked by a stroke;
- Parkinson's disease;
- multiple sclerosis.
Unfortunately, a similar condition with the above pathologies is difficult to treat. In the vast majority of cases, the treatment is long-lasting and is strictly controlled by a neuropathologist. But why, during sleep, saliva flows from the mouth with a white sediment?
Bulbar Syndrome
A similar problem is one of the most dangerous diseases, which is accompanied by damage to the structures of the nervous system located in the brain. With this pathology, saliva flows strongly at night due to paralysis of one of the areas of the oral cavity. In addition, violations of speech functions are observed, since the apparatus that is responsible for this is affected. The amount of secret depends largely on the general condition of the patient. In difficult situations, excessive salivation is possible when it flows from the mouth during sleep.
Dental diseases
The problem with excessive salivation often occurs as a result of some dental pathologies. Often this condition provokes ulcerative stomatitis. Similar disease is more likely to affect adolescents and children. Such a defect appears as follows:
- the mucous membrane is covered with a coating of fungal etiology;
- when swallowing and chewing food, as well as when brushing your teeth, pain in the mouth occurs;
- the child is forced to walk with his mouth open all the time, since pain is felt when closing it;
- during night sleep, the mouth opens automatically, as the mouth is filled with saliva.
The reason that causes a strong secretion of secretion in stomatitis is the body's defensive response to the attack of fungal microorganisms. It is important to understand that such a reaction to fight ulcerative stomatitis is not enough. With this ailment, complex therapy is required.
Alcohol intoxication
With excessive use of alcohol, the centers of the brain rebuild their activities. As a result, there is inhibition of the department, which is responsible for the release of saliva. Therefore, if a person is in a strong alcoholic intoxication, he has an intense outflow of saliva during sleep. A similar state will remain until he sobers up.
Inflammatory processes in the mouth
Let's find out why, during sleep, drooling from the mouth with white sediment on the lips? Another problem, under the influence of which there is excessive secretion of saliva from the mouth in a dream, is inflammation in the oral cavity. Ignoring the simple rules of hygiene contributes to the manifestation of pathologies of the gums and tooth enamel. In turn, inflammatory processes develop:
- purulent formations on the periodontium;
- periodontitis;
- gingivitis.
In a similar condition, in addition to pronounced salivation, a person develops bad breath, pain in the gum zone, saliva with a whitish sediment on the lips. It should be noted that in this situation, saliva is produced in the form of a protective reaction. But this is not enough to eliminate the disease. Therefore, a person in such a situation is recommended to visit a doctor.
Malocclusion
This is another factor in the occurrence of a strong course of saliva at night, when a person is sleeping. With such a pathology, the mouth remains open as a result of a defective jaw closure. As a result, air enters the oral cavity and dries out the mucous membrane, which contributes to excessive salivation.
This is due to the fact that the body is trying to moisturize an excessively dry oral mucosa. And this is also a protective reaction, since pathogenic bacteria easily attach to the overdried mucous membrane and develop in it. Moreover, it should be noted that if a defectively formed bite is the culprit of such an amount of secret, then profuse nightly salivation occurs only periodically. And if the mouth is open all night, then in the morning the pillow will be wet. It will be possible to overcome such a problem only by correcting the bite.
Other night salivation factors
Other pathologies can also provoke excessive secretion of saliva in a dream in an adult. These include:
- vascular defects;
- the presence of malignant neoplasms;
- radiation therapy;
- polio development;
- parasite infection;
- depressive state, mental disorders;
- thyroid dysfunction;
- heavy food before bedtime.
In addition, excessive outflow of saliva during sleep can be caused by sound sleep, in which the muscles of the face relax as much as possible.
In pregnant women
During pregnancy, the hormonal background of a woman is completely rebuilt. In view of which the course of saliva in a dream is often observed. This condition is not considered dangerous during this period and, as a rule, disappears after childbirth. However, if this condition causes discomfort, it is recommended to visit a doctor.
In children and adolescents
Why drooling from a child’s mouth during sleep is a matter of interest to many parents. In infants, excessive salivation is also not a manifestation of pathology. At this age, the salivary glands are not yet sufficiently formed, so this condition should not be considered abnormal. Nevertheless, if an excessive course of secretion occurs in adolescence, this may be a signal for the development of the following pathological conditions:
- psychological problems;
- diseases of a viral nature;
- neoplasms in the brain;
- damage to the central nervous system;
- poisoning;
- helminthic invasion;
- digestive system diseases.
Why, during sleep, drooling from a teenager’s mouth should also be known. In addition to the above, strong nighttime salivation may be a symptom of a head injury. Therefore, if a teenager experiences excessive salivation during sleep, parents should show it to a doctor.
Treatment
There are several ways to eliminate this pathological condition:
- traditional therapeutic measures;
- surgical method;
- homeopathy;
- folk remedies.
If a factor in the disruption of the functioning of the salivary glands has not been identified, taking medications that slow down the secretion of saliva is strictly prohibited. Often, consultation of several specialists is necessary. Each of the treatment methods is effective. However, it is used exclusively in certain conditions that must first be diagnosed.
A surgical method of solving the problem is used when a person has a deep violation of the salivary glands. In this condition, the doctor may recommend the introduction of botulinum, for a while blocking the secretion.
As a rule, after establishing the reason that provokes excessive secretion of saliva in a dream, the doctor prescribes drugs from the category of anticholinergics. Such medicines have a side effect of dry mouth.
However, they successfully cope with excessive salivation during the period of individual treatment. It should be remembered that it is strictly forbidden to take such pharmacological drugs on their own, as they are potent drugs and can provoke severe adverse reactions.
We learned why drool from our mouths during sleep. The reasons must be established by the doctor.