xerostomia
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva: A medical condition characterized by a persistent lack of moisture in the mouth due to insufficient saliva production.
Usage
- General Use: The term is primarily used in medical and clinical contexts to describe a symptom or condition.
- Context: It is often discussed in relation to side effects of medications, certain diseases, or medical treatments like radiation therapy.
Examples
- Noun:
- A common side effect of this medication is xerostomia, which can make speaking and swallowing difficult.
- The patient's xerostomia was so severe that they required special oral care products.
Advanced Usage
- "Suffer from xerostomia": To experience the condition of dry mouth.
- Many elderly patients suffer from xerostomia due to their multiple prescriptions.
- "Xerostomia management": Refers to the strategies and treatments used to alleviate dry mouth symptoms.
- The dentist provided a comprehensive plan for xerostomia management.
Variants and Related Words
- Xerostomic (adj): Pertaining to or characterized by dry mouth.
- The study focused on xerostomic patients.
- Hyposalivation (n): The reduced secretion of saliva, which is the direct cause of xerostomia.
- Hyposalivation is the physiological basis for the symptom of xerostomia.
Synonyms
- Dry mouth: The common, non-medical term for the condition.
- Pasties (slang, informal): A colloquial term sometimes used.
- Cottonmouth (slang, informal): Another informal term, often used in specific contexts.
Related Phrases
- Drug-induced xerostomia: Dry mouth caused as a side effect of medication.
- Drug-induced xerostomia is a frequent complaint among patients taking antidepressants.
- Radiation-induced xerostomia: Dry mouth resulting from radiation therapy to the head and neck.
- Radiation-induced xerostomia can be a permanent condition.
Notes
- Important Distinction: Xerostomia is the subjective of dry mouth, while hyposalivation is the objective of low saliva flow. They often occur together but are distinct concepts.
Noun
- abnormal dryness of the mouth resulting from decreased secretion of saliva