Category Archives: Uncategorized

Dry Mouth – Real Cases

By admin | Published: April 24, 2010
I suffer from end stage lung disease (COPD) I am presently going through a flare up and my oxygen drops into the 80’s with minimum exertion. I am on 20 mg of prednisone (tapering off) and was on Factive. I take 20mg of Lexapro, Spiriva, Advair, Protonix, theophylline and 20 [...]
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Helping Patients with Dry Mouth

By admin | Published: April 24, 2010
Helping patients with dry mouth By Cathy L. Bartels, Pharm.D., assistant professor, pharmacy practice, School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Sciences, [...]
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Dry Mouth Caused by Radiation Therapy

By admin | Published: April 24, 2010
Dry mouth (xerostomia), is most commonly caused by radiation therapy directed at the head and neck region of the body. Radiation may irreversibly affect the production and quality of saliva in the salivary glands. A number of medications can also induce xerostomia. Dry mouth may affect the patients speech, taste sensation [...]
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Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

By admin | Published: April 23, 2010
Xerostomia (Dry Mouth) Xerostomia is not a disease but can be a symptom of certain diseases.  It can produce serious negative effects on the patients quality of life, affecting dietary habits, nutritional status, speech, taste, tolerance to dental prosthesis and increases susceptibility to dental caries.   The increase in dental caries can [...]
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Study May Help Head and Neck Cancer Patients Find Relief From Dry Mouth

By admin | Published: March 30, 2010
March 2007 By the late 1980s, NIDCR scientist Dr. Bruce Baum was frustrated. He had been searching for new drugs and other treatments that might help restore adequate salivary flow in people whose salivary glands had been damaged by radiation treatment for cancer. Yet, despite all of his hard work, Baum said [...]
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What You Should Know About Dry Mouth

By admin | Published: March 30, 2010
Symptoms of Dry Mouth a sticky, dry feeling in the mouth trouble chewing, swallowing, tasting, or speaking a burning feeling in the mouth a dry feeling in the throat cracked lips a dry, rough tongue mouth sores an infection in the mouth Why is saliva so important? Saliva does more than keep the mouth wet. It helps digest food It protects teeth from decay It prevents infection by [...]
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What is xerostomia?

By admin | Published: March 30, 2010
What is xerostomia? Xerostomia (ZEER-oh-STOH-mee-ah) is known as dry mouth.  It is the condition of not having enough saliva, or spit, to keep the mouth wet.  Dry mouth can happen to anyone occasionally  when nervous or stressed.  However, when dry mouth persists, it can make chewing, eating, swallowing and even talking difficult.  [...]
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Should I follow a special diet while I am getting radiation therapy?

By admin | Published: November 13, 2009
Your body uses a lot of energy to heal during radiation therapy. It is important that you eat enough calories and protein to keep your weight the same during this time. Ask your doctor or nurse if you need a special diet while you are getting radiation therapy. You might also find it helpful to [...]
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Who is on my radiation therapy team?

By admin | Published: November 13, 2009
Many people help with your radiation treatment and care. This group of health care providers is often called the “radiation therapy team.” They work together to provide care that is just right for you. Your radiation therapy team can include: Radiation oncologist. This is a doctor who specializes in using radiation therapy to treat cancer. He [...]
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Is radiation therapy used with other types of cancer treatment?

By admin | Published: November 13, 2009
Yes, radiation therapy is often used with other cancer treatments. Here are some examples: Radiation therapy and surgery. Radiation may be given before, during, or after surgery. Doctors may use radiation to shrink the size of the cancer before surgery, or they may use radiation after surgery to kill any cancer cells that remain. Sometimes, radiation [...]
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