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© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Medical causes of drooling
- Various neurological disorders, infections, and other medical issues can cause lack of control over the muscles in the throat and around the mouth. Many of these conditions could make it harder to prevent drooling during sleep.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Sialorrhea
- Also known as hypersalivation, or simply drooling, sialorrhea is excessive salivation that can be associated with neurological disorders and anatomical abnormalities in the mouth. Depending on the severity, it can occur overnight during sleep and even when awake.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
A history of traumatic brain injuries or strokes
- People who are recovering from brain injuries and strokes, including those who have been successfully rehabilitated, are more prone to excessive salivation in their sleep.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Sleep apnea
- Sleep apnea is a common disorder where a person experiences frequent interruptions in breathing throughout the night. Excessive drooling is one of the main symptoms associated with this condition.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Either as a single disease or as an umbrella term for a group of diseases, ALS is a type of motor neuron disease that causes gradual loss of ability to use muscles, including the orofacial muscles that control saliva production.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Parkinson's disease
- According to a 2015 study, excessive drooling during sleep affects 78% of Parkinson's disease patients, who often consider it one of the worst symptoms of the disease.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Myasthenia gravis
- A rare autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness throughout the body, myasthenia gravis may also affect a person’s ability to swallow properly, resulting in drooling when sleeping.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Epiglottitis
- This serious infection causes inflammation and swelling inside the throat that blocks the airway and can result in difficulties with breathing and swallowing during sleep.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Bell’s palsy
- As a result of the malfunction of a facial nerve, Bell’s palsy is a type of temporary paralysis that causes the inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side and may consequently result in excessive drooling.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Though hard to diagnose in its early stages, this autoimmune disorder attacks the peripheral nervous system and causes muscle weakness that could potentially lead to uncontrollable drooling.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Chronic acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and causes heartburn. Because the esophagus gets irritated, the body tries to wash it out by producing excess saliva, which can lead to drooling.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Nasal infections
- Excessive drooling can also result from common sinus infections, which cause the body to generate more saliva to combat the infection. Swollen nasal passages lead to mouth breathing and allow saliva to flow freely, especially during sleep.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Allergies
- There are a growing list of allergies around the world and many of them can cause blocked sinuses. This may result in excess drainage in the form of drool when sleeping.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Medication that causes drooling
- Excess saliva could also be a side effect of certain drugs. Antipsychotic drugs, such as clozapine, disrupt the neurological system's function, causing additional saliva to be produced during sleep.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Sleeping positions can affect drooling
- Unsurprisingly, the way we sleep can cause or prevent drooling due to the effects of gravity on our body. Many people like to sleep face down and on their stomach, which can result in waking up with a wet pillow.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Ways to prevent drooling
- Thanks to modern science, a variety of products and medications, and even just plain common sense, today we have more than a few ways of dealing with drooling during sleep. Let's get into them in the following slides.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Experiment with sleeping positions
- Switching from sleeping stomach down to on your back is probably the easiest way to stop drooling in your sleep.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Invest in a better mattress
- A comfy mattress can help prevent drooling by keeping you in an optimal sleeping position on your back for longer periods.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Change your pillow
- Ergonomic pillows might assist you in keeping your neck straight when sleeping and therefore help prevent drooling. There are dozens of affordable models on the market—let's take a look at some of them in the following slides.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Memory foam pillow
- This best-seller with a classic design contours to your cervical vertebrae, providing support to the neck and shoulders by propping up your head in order to avoid drooling in your sleep.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Layer adjust pillow
- As its name suggests, this practical pillow features three adjustable layers (soft, medium, and firm). It can help you get used to sleeping on your back, a position with the least chance of causing drooling.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Medication that can prevent drooling
- For more serious cases of drooling, a doctor might suggest medication, especially for people with neurological conditions. For instance, scopolamine blocks nerve signals before they reach the salivary glands, and often comes in a patch that you place behind your ear.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Botox injections
- Doctors might also inject botulinum toxin into the salivary glands of patients with neurological disorders. Botox paralyzes the muscles around the glands, thus preventing drooling while sleeping.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Glycopyrrolate injections
- Glycopyrrolate injections are another option, as they also decrease saliva production during sleep. Unfortunately, side effects can be more severe and may include irritability, hyperactivity, and even trouble urinating.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Speech therapy
- Depending on the cause of drooling, a medical professional might suggest speech therapy to boost jaw stability and tongue strength and mobility. The aim is to improve swallowing and reduce drooling.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Oral appliance
- An oral appliance is any kind of device worn in the mouth to help with swallowing during sleep. It can assist with tongue positioning and prevent drooling.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Mouthguards take some time to get used to
- Even though mouthguards may cause more drooling at first, be patient and you'll get used to the sensation over time. The device will most likely help you stop drooling when sleeping.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Surgery
- Usually a last resort and only considered for severe drooling caused by a neurological condition, surgery can involve removing the submandibular or sublingual salivary glands.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Takeaway
- While drooling in your sleep is always inconvenient, in most cases it can be prevented with basic methods. But if you keep waking up with a wet pillow, you might consider consulting your doctor. Sources: (Medical News Today) (Ingenta Connect) (ComfyCentre) See also: Are these the tricks to getting a good night's sleep?
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
Medical causes of drooling
- Various neurological disorders, infections, and other medical issues can cause lack of control over the muscles in the throat and around the mouth. Many of these conditions could make it harder to prevent drooling during sleep.
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Sialorrhea
- Also known as hypersalivation, or simply drooling, sialorrhea is excessive salivation that can be associated with neurological disorders and anatomical abnormalities in the mouth. Depending on the severity, it can occur overnight during sleep and even when awake.
© Shutterstock
2 / 30 Fotos
A history of traumatic brain injuries or strokes
- People who are recovering from brain injuries and strokes, including those who have been successfully rehabilitated, are more prone to excessive salivation in their sleep.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Sleep apnea
- Sleep apnea is a common disorder where a person experiences frequent interruptions in breathing throughout the night. Excessive drooling is one of the main symptoms associated with this condition.
© Shutterstock
4 / 30 Fotos
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Either as a single disease or as an umbrella term for a group of diseases, ALS is a type of motor neuron disease that causes gradual loss of ability to use muscles, including the orofacial muscles that control saliva production.
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Parkinson's disease
- According to a 2015 study, excessive drooling during sleep affects 78% of Parkinson's disease patients, who often consider it one of the worst symptoms of the disease.
© Shutterstock
6 / 30 Fotos
Myasthenia gravis
- A rare autoimmune disorder that causes muscle weakness throughout the body, myasthenia gravis may also affect a person’s ability to swallow properly, resulting in drooling when sleeping.
© Shutterstock
7 / 30 Fotos
Epiglottitis
- This serious infection causes inflammation and swelling inside the throat that blocks the airway and can result in difficulties with breathing and swallowing during sleep.
© Shutterstock
8 / 30 Fotos
Bell’s palsy
- As a result of the malfunction of a facial nerve, Bell’s palsy is a type of temporary paralysis that causes the inability to control the facial muscles on the affected side and may consequently result in excessive drooling.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Guillain–Barré syndrome
- Though hard to diagnose in its early stages, this autoimmune disorder attacks the peripheral nervous system and causes muscle weakness that could potentially lead to uncontrollable drooling.
© Shutterstock
10 / 30 Fotos
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Chronic acid reflux occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus and causes heartburn. Because the esophagus gets irritated, the body tries to wash it out by producing excess saliva, which can lead to drooling.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Nasal infections
- Excessive drooling can also result from common sinus infections, which cause the body to generate more saliva to combat the infection. Swollen nasal passages lead to mouth breathing and allow saliva to flow freely, especially during sleep.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Allergies
- There are a growing list of allergies around the world and many of them can cause blocked sinuses. This may result in excess drainage in the form of drool when sleeping.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Medication that causes drooling
- Excess saliva could also be a side effect of certain drugs. Antipsychotic drugs, such as clozapine, disrupt the neurological system's function, causing additional saliva to be produced during sleep.
© Shutterstock
14 / 30 Fotos
Sleeping positions can affect drooling
- Unsurprisingly, the way we sleep can cause or prevent drooling due to the effects of gravity on our body. Many people like to sleep face down and on their stomach, which can result in waking up with a wet pillow.
© Shutterstock
15 / 30 Fotos
Ways to prevent drooling
- Thanks to modern science, a variety of products and medications, and even just plain common sense, today we have more than a few ways of dealing with drooling during sleep. Let's get into them in the following slides.
© Shutterstock
16 / 30 Fotos
Experiment with sleeping positions
- Switching from sleeping stomach down to on your back is probably the easiest way to stop drooling in your sleep.
© Shutterstock
17 / 30 Fotos
Invest in a better mattress
- A comfy mattress can help prevent drooling by keeping you in an optimal sleeping position on your back for longer periods.
© Shutterstock
18 / 30 Fotos
Change your pillow
- Ergonomic pillows might assist you in keeping your neck straight when sleeping and therefore help prevent drooling. There are dozens of affordable models on the market—let's take a look at some of them in the following slides.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
Memory foam pillow
- This best-seller with a classic design contours to your cervical vertebrae, providing support to the neck and shoulders by propping up your head in order to avoid drooling in your sleep.
© Shutterstock
20 / 30 Fotos
Layer adjust pillow
- As its name suggests, this practical pillow features three adjustable layers (soft, medium, and firm). It can help you get used to sleeping on your back, a position with the least chance of causing drooling.
© Shutterstock
21 / 30 Fotos
Medication that can prevent drooling
- For more serious cases of drooling, a doctor might suggest medication, especially for people with neurological conditions. For instance, scopolamine blocks nerve signals before they reach the salivary glands, and often comes in a patch that you place behind your ear.
© Getty Images
22 / 30 Fotos
Botox injections
- Doctors might also inject botulinum toxin into the salivary glands of patients with neurological disorders. Botox paralyzes the muscles around the glands, thus preventing drooling while sleeping.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Glycopyrrolate injections
- Glycopyrrolate injections are another option, as they also decrease saliva production during sleep. Unfortunately, side effects can be more severe and may include irritability, hyperactivity, and even trouble urinating.
© Shutterstock
24 / 30 Fotos
Speech therapy
- Depending on the cause of drooling, a medical professional might suggest speech therapy to boost jaw stability and tongue strength and mobility. The aim is to improve swallowing and reduce drooling.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
Oral appliance
- An oral appliance is any kind of device worn in the mouth to help with swallowing during sleep. It can assist with tongue positioning and prevent drooling.
© Shutterstock
26 / 30 Fotos
Mouthguards take some time to get used to
- Even though mouthguards may cause more drooling at first, be patient and you'll get used to the sensation over time. The device will most likely help you stop drooling when sleeping.
© Shutterstock
27 / 30 Fotos
Surgery
- Usually a last resort and only considered for severe drooling caused by a neurological condition, surgery can involve removing the submandibular or sublingual salivary glands.
© Shutterstock
28 / 30 Fotos
Takeaway
- While drooling in your sleep is always inconvenient, in most cases it can be prevented with basic methods. But if you keep waking up with a wet pillow, you might consider consulting your doctor. Sources: (Medical News Today) (Ingenta Connect) (ComfyCentre) See also: Are these the tricks to getting a good night's sleep?
© Shutterstock
29 / 30 Fotos
Why do people drool while they sleep?
What are the various causes?
© Shutterstock
We live in fast-paced times and most of us dream about falling into deep rejuvenating sleep after a long day. But while it’s one thing to occasionally wake up with a wet pillow as a sign of a good night’s slumber, it’s something else entirely if drooling during sleep becomes a norm. This common phenomenon can be caused by a variety of factors, and even though most of them can be prevented or treated, some could be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Want to dive into the science behind healthy sleep and discover different ways to keep your pillow dry? Click through the following gallery for more on the subject.
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