What Branch Of Medical Speciality Best Equipped To Diagnose And Treat Dry Mouth Disorder?

Posted on Sun, 23 Feb 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 23 Feb 2014 Answered on

Wed, 19 Mar 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : what branch of medical specialty best equipped to diagnose and treat dry mouth disorder? Symptoms have accelerated in a few months.

Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (-5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Rheumatologist Detailed Answer: Dear Ms XXXX, Thanks for the query; the symptom you are talking about we name it xerostomia, that is dry mouth. Although medication side effect is the most common cause overall, there are other organic entities, mostly auto-immune that can give rise to such complaint, such as Sjogren's disease and sicca syndrome; a Rheumatologist is the specialist who handles this cheif complaint more often. Hope this helps wish you the best, Dr Brenes-Salazar MD Mayo Clinic MN

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (3 days later)

could you please name the generic class of drugs and some examples of those that are associated with aggravating dry mouth issues? Thank you. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Jorge Brenes-Salazar (22 hours later)

Brief Answer: See below Detailed Answer: Dear XXXXXXX Here are a few groups of medications with examples: Anticholinergics: meclizine, atropine, ipratropium, benztropine. Tricyclic antidepressants: imipramine, amytriptiline Antihistaminics: diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate That to mention a few of the most common. If you write down your medication list to me, I can see if any of those has been associated with dry mouth as side effect. Best regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar