Why is my mouth dry all the time?

Symptoms:

Your mouth is dry, your eyes too – and you’ve got pain and swelling on the joints of your fingers. You feel tired all the time. You wake up each morning with a parched mouth and your tongue feels as dry as a stick. There seems to be no saliva.

You always seem to have a dry mouth and you’re on antidepressants. You also take painkillers for arthritis in your knees.

It could be: Sjogren’s syndrome,

an autoimmune disease like rheumatoid arthritis which attacks the linings of your joints, mouth and eyes.

You’re a mouth

breather, and all breathing through your mouth all night dries up your tongue, your cheeks and the lining of your mouth. You may even snore.

Side effects of your

medication. Many drugs are known to give you a dry mouth including antidepressants, antianxiety and painkilling drugs. Cold cures containing antihistamines and decongestants do the same.

Stop it:

See your doctor for tests to confirm the diagnosis and start on anti-inflammatory medication. Your pharmacist can provide you with artificial tears for your eyes. Chewing gum will keep your mouth moist.

Try sleeping on your side instead of your back. Keep a glass of water by the bed to sip if you wake up. When you go back to sleep, make a conscious effort to keep your mouth closed.

See your doctor to find out whether your medication can be adjusted. Chew chewing gum. Don’t take any over-the-counter cold cures.