Do you wake up in the middle of the night feeling exhausted, like you just trekked through the Sahara Desert? You might wonder, “Why am I so thirsty at night?” “Is it normal?”
Well, you are not alone in this! Many people experience dry mouth at night. This phenomenon is known as nocturnal xerostomia. Let’s explore the causes of this uncomfortable sensation and some tips to prevent it from happening for a good snooze.
Thirsty Every Night? What Does it Mean to have a Dry Mouth?
A dry mouth, or xerostomia, is a condition when there is not enough saliva in your oral cavity to keep it moist. Saliva has s crucial role in keeping your mouth healthy and clean. It does so by washing away food debris and neutralizing harmful bacteria.
In case of a dry mouth situation, you may experience some or most of these signs, including:
- A sticky, clumpy, or dry feeling in your mouth and throat.
- Trouble in chewing, swallowing, or speaking.
- Chapped lips
- Mouth sores
- Ulcers
- Halitosis – bad breath
- Increased thirst
Excessive Night-Time Thirst – Causes
Many causes contribute to dry mouth; here are a few of the most common causes of why you wake up thirsty in the middle of the night.
- Sleeping with your mouth open is one of the top most reason for a dry mouth at night. This is because when you sleep like that, the air over your mouth makes your tongue and teeth dry.
- Dehydration is a common complication if you are not drinking enough fluids during the day, leading to excessive thirst at night.
- Medication side effects; examples include antihistamines, decongestants, or antidepressants.
- Certain health conditions, like diabetes and Sjogren’s syndrome, can make you gasping for water at night.
- Lifestyle factors like smoking and drinking alcohol can all contribute to this issue.
Treatment
Here are a few changes you can make to relieve the symptoms:
Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. It is one of the best tricks to get rid of a dry mouth. Make sure you drink a good amount throughout the day and keep a glass of water by your bedside table at night.
Place a humidifier to add moisture to your sleep air to prevent a dry mouth.
Stay away from caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco as they contribute to this issue.
Breathe through your nose if you sleep with your mouth open. Make use of nasal strips or saline sprays to help clear nasal passage.
Chew gum or suck on sugar-free candy to stimulate saliva production.
Talk to your doctor: If you’re taking medication that’s making you thirsty at night, talk to your doctor about possible solutions. They may adjust your dose or recommend an alternate treatment for your condition.
Closing Note
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with a doctor from Family Diagnostic Clinic about the possible solutions—Dial (281) 351-6800 to connect with us.