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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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Diet and Nutrition |
Dry mouth11/27/2006 |
occasionally, especially after having pizza or a large meal including lots of meat and potatoes and gravy and bread, i wake up at night with a dry mouth. what could be causing this dry mouth; am i right in believing it has something to do with what i eat for dinner? i try to follow the dash diet but sometimes jump off the wagon, could too much sodium for someone who usually takes in less than 1500mg/day cause dry mouth at night?
Thanks for your question. You're correct in that 'what you ate for dinner' is likely causing your dry mouth. The easiest explanation is that consuming salty foods make you thirsty. Salt attracts fluid in the body. Fluid from saliva is used to provide fluid for other tissues, leaving you with a dry mouth. If you wake up with a dry or sticky mouth, it means that you are dehydrated and need to consume more fluids.
Most people need 1 ml of fluid per calorie consumed. So, for the 'average' American who requires 2000 calories per day, this would be 2000 ml (2 liters), or approximately 8 cups of fluid per day. At best, try to consume at least 4-6 cups as water. The remaining fluid may come from juice, milk or other beverages.
If you consume caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, cola, Mt. Dew), your fluid requirements go up because caffeine is a diuretic. Diuretics drain the body of fluid and can cause dehydration. For every cup of coffee you drink, drink 2 cups of water to replace the lost fluid.
Finally, you mention following the DASH diet. This diet is high in fruits and vegetables, which are full of water. Consuming more fruits and vegetables will also increase your fluid consumption. If you are taking medication for blood pressure, you may also be experiencing dry mouth as a side effect. Check your medication product information for side effects. Good luck!
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Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, MEd, RD, LD Adjunct Faculty University of Cincinnati |
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