Xerostomia Definition
Xerostomia literally means "dry mouth", is derived from two words, Xeros meaning dry and stoma meaning mouth. Xerostomia is a symptom of a variety of health conditions (Amerongen, 1992). The flow rate of unstimulated whole saliva <0.1 ml / min was decreased (Greenberg et al, 2008; Scully, 2008).
Causes of xerostomia
1. General health declining
General health decreased in some patients can lead to reduced salivary gland secretion can increase the risk of inflammation of the mouth. These disorders can arise due to various reasons, such as excessive sweating, diarrhea, prolonged or urine output beyond the limit (Amerongen, 1992).
2. Disorders of the nervous system
Salivary secretion are primarily under hormonal regulation and regulated by neuronal either by the parasympathetic autonomic nervous system and the sympathetic. Disorders of the central and peripheral nervous system may have caused the salivary secretion rate. Neurological disorders which followed the symptoms of degeneration, such as multiple sclerosis, will also result in reduced salivary secretion (Amerongen, 1992).
3. Medications
Drugs that blocked the nervous system will inhibit salivary secretion. Because the secretion of water and electrolytes mainly regulated by the parasympathetic nervous system, drugs with anticholinergic effect will inhibit salivary spending most powerful. Drugs with anti-β-adrenergic effect (the so-called β-blockers) will inhibit salivary secretion is mainly mucous (Amerongen, 1992).
There are approximately 400 types of medicines that can cause xerostomia. The main factions of the drugs are antihistamines, antidepressants, anticholinergics, anti-anorexia, anti-hypertensive, anti-psychotics, anti-Parkinson, diuresis, and sedatives. Most xerogenik effects of these drugs are temporary (Bartels, 2005).
4. Impaired salivary gland
Picture of the disease with the cells of acini and ductal cells of the salivary glands are reduced or shrink, resulting in a decrease in salivary secretion, such as; aplasi or disposition hipoplasi the major salivary glands, salivary gland atrophy due to aging or radiation, exhaust blockage in the mouth by salivary stones, tumors, autoimmune diseases, inflammation of the salivary glands (Amerongen, 1992).
5. Irradiating the head-neck region
Impaired salivary gland function after irradiation with ionizing rays on the head-neck region are well known. The number and severity of salivary gland tissue damage depends on the dose and duration of irradiation (Amerongen, 1992). On treatment for cancer of the mouth, for neoplastic conditions in the head and neck, or on a mantle irradiation or total body irradiation (TBI) prior to haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (bone marrow transplant) (Scully, 2008).
6. Physiology
A subjective sensation of dry mouth that occurs after excessive conversation and during exercise. In this situation there are two factors that come into play. Breathing through the mouth that occurs during exercise, talking or singing, also can give the effect of dry mouth. In addition, there is also an emotional component, which stimulates the sympathetic effects of the autonomic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system blocking, thus causing a reduction in salivary flow and dry mouth. Most people experience the sensation of dry mouth before making important or frequently asked questions before the speech (Gayford and Haskell, 1990).
7. Agenisis of salivary gland
Very rare, but sometimes the patient does have a dry mouth state since birth. Sialograf results showed a large defect of the salivary glands (Gayford and Haskell, 1990).
8. Due to blockage of the nasal
In children, the causes of nasal obstruction is most commonly seen nasoparingeal enlarged tonsils (adenoids). In adults there are a variety of causes, from the state of nasal deviation, nasal polyps or hypertrophic rhinitis. All these circumstances led to the patient's breathing from the mouth, without clogging the nose (Gayford and Haskell, 1990).
9. Factors of aging and psychology
The state of a dry mouth can be seen in the form of difficulty chewing and swallowing, or difficulty in using the denture. Dry mucous causing unpleasant use of denture, for failing to form a thin layer of mucous to place artificial teeth floated on its surface, and the surface tension is reduced to upper denture retention under pressure withstand chewing. When the denture supporting area has felt the pain, the trauma can continue (Gayford and Haskell, 1990). According Hasibuan (2002), changes in salivary gland atrophy with age, as this will decrease the production of saliva and change in composition (Hasibuan, 2002).
10. Salivary gland disease
In addition to Sjögren's syndrome, salivary gland diseases rarely cause xerostomia. Disease should be about both parotid glands in turn, can cause damage to a thorough (Gayford and Haskell, 1990).
See also: Salivary Secretion.
