If you often drool during sleep, check for these 6 diseases
Where does human saliva come from?
The process of salivation is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, so the process of salivation occurs involuntarily, just like the heartbeat.
The glands in the mouth that secrete saliva are the salivary glands, which can be divided into major salivary glands and minor salivary glands, of which there are 3 pairs of major salivary glands, which are the sublingual glands, parotid glands, and submandibular glands. There are many small salivary glands located on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity.
The salivary glands work continuously, in addition to maintaining moisture in the oral cavity, saliva also performs the functions of disinfection, cleaning the oral cavity, and aiding digestion.
In general, healthy adults secrete about 1-1.5 liters of saliva per day, an average of about 30 ml per hour.
Saliva secretion increases when we eat or when the nerves in the brain are stimulated.
Mouth breathing, stress, fatigue, and unbalanced sleeping positions can all cause drooling during sleep.
In general, drooling during sleep is common in children because their lips are still weak and the oral cavity does not have the function of controlling salivation and swallowing saliva.
If adults suddenly and frequently drool during sleep, they should be alerted to the following diseases:
Oral health products
1. Oral diseases
Pharyngitis, maxillofacial inflammation, gingivitis can stimulate the secretion of salivary glands, leading to drooling.
In addition, crooked, loose teeth, and discomfort when wearing dentures can also cause drooling during sleep. After aligning the teeth, drooling will improve.
2. Facial paralysis
Facial paralysis is a condition of paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. Due to the asymmetrical strength of the muscles on both sides, it is difficult to hold saliva on the paralyzed side, and saliva flows easily whether you are sleeping or not.
If accompanied by symptoms such as curling of the corners of the mouth, you should immediately consult a doctor.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Impaired gastric acid secretion can increase the salivation reflex, and some patients with gastroesophageal reflux may have symptoms of drooling, accompanied by the general symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease, including acid reflux, heartburn, and chest pain.
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