If You Frequently Drool While Sleeping, Check for These 6 Conditions
Drooling during sleep shouldn’t be ignored:
Where does saliva come from?
Salivary secretion is controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which acts involuntarily, just like the heartbeat. The salivary glands in the mouth are divided into large and small salivary glands. There are three pairs of large salivary glands:
Sublingual glands
Parotid glands
Submandibular glands
These salivary glands work constantly, keeping the mouth moist, disinfecting and cleansing it, and aiding digestion. In healthy adults, saliva production ranges from 1 to 1.5 liters per day, averaging about 30 ml per hour. Saliva production increases during meals or when the cranial nerves are stimulated.
Open-mouth breathing, stress, fatigue, and poor sleeping position can cause you to drool while you sleep.
When is drooling a cause for concern?
This phenomenon is common in children because their oral muscles are not yet fully developed. However, if an adult suddenly begins drooling during sleep, they should be aware of the following health problems:
Inflammation of the pharynx, gums, and jaw can stimulate the salivary glands to produce more saliva, causing drooling. Crooked or loose teeth or the discomfort associated with wearing dentures can also be a cause of this condition. If the problem is due to oral health issues, prompt correction can improve the situation.
2. Facial paralysis:
Facial paralysis is a condition in which the muscles on one side of the face are paralyzed, making it difficult to control salivary secretion. If salivation is accompanied by mouth dilation, immediate medical attention is required.
3. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD):
Abnormal stomach acid levels can lead to increased saliva production. People with GERD often drool, accompanied by symptoms such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, and chest pain.
4. Parkinson’s disease:
In patients with Parkinson’s disease, swallowing function is impaired, resulting in saliva accumulation rather than timely swallowing. Additionally, nerve damage can stimulate excessive saliva production, leading to constant drooling.
