What causes dry mouth and bitter mouth?

　　Do you often wake up in the morning feeling dry and bitter, like holding a bitter melon? Many people experience this discomfort, but most people think it is due to "getting angry" or not drinking enough water. In fact, there may be deeper health problems hidden behind dry mouth and bitter mouth. It is not only a warning signal sent by the body, but may also be related to liver, gallbladder, gastrointestinal and even chronic diseases. Only by understanding the real cause can we make appropriate treatment to prevent small problems from turning into big problems.

What causes dry mouth and bitter mouth?

　　Dry mouth and bitter mouth may seem like a minor problem, but in fact it is an external manifestation of an internal imbalance in the body. Medically, it is believed that this is often not caused by a single factor, but the result of a combination of multiple physiological or pathological factors. Here are some of the most common reasons:

　　1.Abnormal liver and gallbladder function

　　Traditional Chinese medicine talks about "liver-fire inflammation", and modern medicine has also found that liver and gallbladder diseases such as cholecystitis and bile reflux can cause bile to flow into the stomach and even the esophagus, which in turn stimulates the mouth to produce a bitter taste. Especially in the early morning on an empty stomach, the bitter taste in the mouth is more obvious. Accompanying symptoms may include distension and pain in the right upper abdomen, loss of appetite, and yellowing of the eyes.

　　2. Gastrointestinal problems

　　Strong stomach fire, indigestion, Helicobacter pylori infection, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) may cause bitter taste in the mouth. If food stays for too long, bacteria will decompose it and produce odorous substances. This, together with gastric acid and bile reflux, will directly cause a bitter taste in the mouth. At the same time, gastrointestinal dysfunction can also affect saliva secretion, leading to dry mouth.

　　3. Oral diseases

　　Gingivitis, periodontitis, dental caries or oral ulcers, etc., will cause bacteria to multiply in the oral cavity, and the metabolites will bring bitterness and odor. In addition, inflammation itself can irritate nerves and cause discomfort. People who do not brush or floss their teeth for a long time are more likely to be infected.

　　4. The body is dehydrated or affected by drugs

　　Insufficient drinking water, dry weather, and high-salt diet can dehydrate the oral mucosa and cause dry mouth. Some drugs, such as antidepressants, antihypertensive drugs, and antiallergic drugs, can inhibit salivary gland secretion, causing "drug-induced dry mouth."

　　5. Systemic diseases

　　Diabetic patients often suffer from symptoms such as dry mouth, polydipsia, and polyuria due to high blood sugar.； Sjogren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease characterized by dry eyes and dry mouth. ； In addition, staying up late for a long time, high stress, and poor sleep quality can also disrupt endocrine and induce dry mouth and bitter mouth.

What to do if you have dry mouth and bitter mouth

　　1. Scientific hydration

　　Drink 1500-2000 ml of warm water several times a day to avoid drinking large amounts of water at one time； You can add a small amount of lemon slices or Ophiopogon japonicus to the water to moisturize the oral mucosa. Avoid drinking strong tea, coffee and sugary drinks for a long time. Such drinks will accelerate water loss and aggravate the symptoms of dry mouth and bitter mouth.

　　2. Optimize oral hygiene

　　When brushing your teeth in the morning and evening, focus on cleaning the tongue coating (bacteria and metabolites can easily remain on the tongue coating), and brush your teeth for no less than 2 minutes each time.； Rinse your mouth with light salt water or special mouthwash after meals to remove food residues. Use a tongue brush to clean the tongue 2-3 times a week to inhibit the growth of oral bacteria and improve the problem of bitter mouth.

　　3. Adjust your diet

　　Reduce the intake of spicy, greasy, fried foods and irritating ingredients such as garlic and onions to avoid aggravating gastrointestinal burden and oral odor； Eat more foods that clear away heat and promote body fluids, such as winter melon, pears, and white fungus, to help nourish yin and moisturize dryness. Eat three meals regularly, avoid overeating, and prevent mouth bitterness caused by gastrointestinal dysfunction.

　　4. Check for health problems

　　If dry mouth and bitter mouth last for more than 1 week, you need to be alert to diabetes, hepatobiliary disease, Sjögren's syndrome and other problems, and seek medical attention promptly to check blood sugar, liver function and other indicators. Staying up late for a long time and being too stressed can also induce symptoms. You need to maintain a regular schedule, regulate your emotions and improve your physical condition through exercise, meditation and other methods.

　　Dry mouth and bitter mouth are not a trivial matter, so don’t lump it into “getting angry”. Understanding the language of the body, detecting it early, and regulating it early is the real way to maintain health.