Xerostomia (dry mouth) is dryness of the mouth that may be associated with a change in the composition of saliva or decreased salivary secretion. Saliva lubricates and protects the oral tissues against irritating agents and behaves as a buffer system to protect the mouth. It has a basic role in keeping the physical-chemical integrity of the enamel (1). Consequently, decrease in saliva results i...

BACKGROUND Irradiation-induced xerostomia seriously reduces quality of life for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Anecdotal evidence suggests that acupuncture may be beneficial. OBJECTIVE To systematically review evidence on clinical effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in irradiation-induced xerostomia in patients with HNC. METHODS A detailed search was performed to identify ran...

Background and aims. Xerostomia is one of the most common complications of head and neck radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy of pilocarpine and bromhexine in improving radiotherapy-induced xerostomia and its associated symptoms. Materials and methods. In this single-blind, randomized crossover study, pilocarpine and bromhexine tablets were used by twenty...

Xerostomia is the feeling of dry mouth, a symptom frequently occurring in older people. associated with alterations quality and quantity saliva leads to functional such as halitosis, burning sensations, altered taste perception, malnutrition, difficulties chewing. As result, xerostomia can have disabling social consequences reduces life.1 increases age because decrease acinar cells salivary gla...

Major salivary gland dysfunction and severe xerostomia is one of the manifestations of graft versus host disease (GVHD). The histopathological evaluation of the major salivary gland in patients with GVHD has never been reported. The pathological findings of the submandibular glands in a GVHD patient who succumbed to the disease are described. Lymphocytic infiltration, parenchymal destruction, a...

background and aims. salivary glands are extremely susceptible to radiation injuries. the aim of this study was to evaluate radiation-induced xerostomia in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas, referring to tabriz imam khomeini hospital in 2005-2006. materials and methods. thirty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinomas, who received conventional radiotherapy, were included in the present stu...

Xerostomia is a common complication following radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. This has long-term implications on the quality of life of these patients. The better understanding of salivary function and the interaction of radiotherapy dose-volume and fractionation with salivary function has allowed us to intervene with various modalities to prevent or treat this common complication. Thus...

introduction: the aim of this study was to eva-luate the salivation flow rate objectively using schirmer test and mouth dryness and other con sequences subjectively by distributing question naires to patients receiving head and neck radio therapy. materials and methods: in this descriptive study that was carried out at imam khomeini hospital, tehran, iran, the saliva flow rate of 33 patients re...

there are some herbal plants in iranian traditional system of medicine which are believed to be excellent remedies to alleviate the symptoms of xerostomia. the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of systemic administration of seven different herbal extracts on the rate of salivation in rats. the extracts of 7 herbs; zingiber officinale roscoe (zingiberaceae), citrus sinensis (l....