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Xerostomia and the geriatric patient
Jonathan A Ship1, Stanley R Pillemer, Bruce J Baum
1Department of Oral Medicine, Bluestone Center for Clinical Research, New York University College of Dentistry, 345 East 24th Street, New York, NY 10010, USA. jonathan.ship@nyu.edu
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|April 12, 2002
Summary
Salivary gland function is crucial for oral health, especially in older adults. Medical conditions, medications, and cancer treatments can impair saliva production, leading to dry mouth (xerostomia).
Area of Science:
- Oral health
- Gerontology
- Physiology
Background:
- Saliva is vital for maintaining oral and pharyngeal health.
- Salivary dysfunction is common in older adults due to medical issues, medications, and radiotherapy.
- Sjögren's syndrome is a primary cause of salivary dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the causes and consequences of salivary dysfunction in older populations.
- To discuss the impact of medical conditions, medications, and cancer treatments on salivary glands.
- To outline treatment strategies for salivary gland disorders.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of salivary physiology and dysfunction in aging.
- Analysis of factors contributing to xerostomia in the elderly.
- Summary of current therapeutic approaches for salivary disorders.
Main Results:
- Healthy aging preserves salivary function, but pathology can cause dysfunction.
- Anticholinergic medications and head/neck radiotherapy significantly impair salivary output.
- Sjögren's syndrome is a leading cause of autoimmune salivary exocrinopathy.
Conclusions:
- Effective management of salivary dysfunction involves accurate diagnosis and tailored treatments.
- Protecting oral health, stimulating residual salivary function, and fluid replacement are key strategies.
- Addressing salivary problems is essential for improving the quality of life in older adults.