Dry Mouth, The Malevolent Symptom

Xerostomia, more commonly called dry mouth, affects anestimated 20 percent of adults worldwide and can severelydiminish one’s quality of life. Dry Mouth, theMalevolent Symptom: A Clinical Guide relies on evidence-basedresearch to provide an introductory primer on oral dryness and themodalities available to treat it. The book describes thevaried etiology of the disease, but emphasizes clinicalprotocols and step-by-step procedures for diagnosis and treatmentplanning. Dry Mouth is a user-friendly manual guiding cliniciansthrough identifying and managing this common condition. Causesincluding radiotherapy, chemotherapy, systemic diseases,polypharmacy, and the natural progression of aging are discussed inconjunction with the clinical symptoms and signs associated witheach one. Multiple avenues for treatment are presented,highlighting salivary stimulation and supplementation techniques,pharmacologic aids, and critically required oral therapy. Althoughintended primarily for the professionals that treat those affectedby xerostomia, Dry Mouth may also be of interest tosufferers of this condition.