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What are the Most Common Causes of Dry Mouth and Frequent Urination?

Matt Brady
Matt Brady

One of the most common causes of dry mouth and frequent urination is diabetes. Diuretics, such as caffeine and alcohol, which dehydrate the body and flush fluids out of the system, are another frequent cause. Frequent urination can also indirectly be a cause of dry mouth, as many medications prescribed for overactive bladders cause dry mouth.

Type 1 and type 2 diabetes cause both of these symptoms. In fact, those symptoms are often the earliest and most noticeable signs of diabetes. The frequent urination is a result of low levels of insulin that are unable to properly break down glucose in the bloodstream. Normally, insulin levels break down glucose and convert it into energy. When levels are too low to sufficiently accomplish that task, the bloodstream is flooded with glucose, which causes more water and fluid to enter the bloodstream. As a result, more fluids are flushed through the kidneys, causing diabetics to urinate more frequently. Another side effect of this process is thirst and dry mouth. People who chronically experience these symptoms should consult a medical professional.

Cranberry juice is a natural diuretic, and may increase the frequency of urination.
Cranberry juice is a natural diuretic, and may increase the frequency of urination.

Diuretics cause the body to flush water and fluids out of the system by urination. This naturally leads to dry mouth and frequent urination. People suffering from these symptoms who don't have diabetes should assess their caffeine and alcohol intake, as both are diuretics that dehydrate the body. There are also diuretics in the food realm, such as cranberries, which can increase urination and cause dry mouth. Water pills, which are often taken to lose weight, also cause the body to flush out water. Alleviating the symptoms may be as simple as removing diuretic substances from one's diet.

Some medications can cause a dry mouth.
Some medications can cause a dry mouth.

Interestingly enough, medications that treat overactive bladders — bladders that send signals to the brain that prompt urination even when the bladder isn't full — cause dry mouths in many individuals. In this case, dry mouth and frequent urination do not occur at the same time. Instead, dry mouth is a side effect of efforts to cure frequent urination. Fortunately, dry mouth caused by medications can be alleviated. Surprisingly, drinking more water won't necessarily cure the problem, but there are over-the-counter medications that may help. Chewing a stick of sugar-free gum can be another very effective way of increasing saliva flow in the mouth. Sugar-free candy can also help in the same way.

Discussion Comments

wander

If you go to your doctor for your concerns about dry mouth and frequent urination it is a good idea to record an average day of your symptoms. Often people who go to the doctor are not fully prepared to give them details of their problem, and keeping a journal in a case like this can really help speed up a diagnosis.

If there is a history of similar problems that have caused family members to suffer from dry mouth and frequent urination, it is a good idea to let the doctor know about it.

My mother suffers from diabetes so I am always on the lookout for those kinds of symptoms myself.

lonelygod

Frequent urination can be an embarrassing problem, so it is best to talk to your doctor about your problems. One of the things you should know is that being overly anxious or nervous can also cause dry mouth and frequent urination.

Anyone who has a nervous bladder will tell you that no matter how little they have had to drink that the urge to run to the bathroom is overwhelming when they are uncomfortable or feeling tense. Often repeated swallowing due to nerves causes a dry mouth.

If you are suffering from dry mouth and frequent urination, combined with uneasy feelings, you many have an anxiety disorder that will need treatment.

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    • Cranberry juice is a natural diuretic, and may increase the frequency of urination.
      By: Galina Mikhalishina
      Cranberry juice is a natural diuretic, and may increase the frequency of urination.
    • Some medications can cause a dry mouth.
      By: WavebreakmediaMicro
      Some medications can cause a dry mouth.
    • Kidney disease, urinary tract infections and consuming diuretics can cause frequent urination with dry mouth.
      By: Photographee.eu
      Kidney disease, urinary tract infections and consuming diuretics can cause frequent urination with dry mouth.
    • Some medicines used to treat schizophrenia may cause dry mouth.
      By: sebra
      Some medicines used to treat schizophrenia may cause dry mouth.
    • Diabetics often experience frequent thirst and dry mouth.
      By: Budimir Jevtic
      Diabetics often experience frequent thirst and dry mouth.
    • Dehydration often causes dry mouth.
      By: Maridav
      Dehydration often causes dry mouth.
    • A diuretic, caffeine causes the kidneys to flush higher than average levels of fluids from the body.
      By: volff
      A diuretic, caffeine causes the kidneys to flush higher than average levels of fluids from the body.
    • Diabetes may cause dry mouth and frequent urination.
      By: aerogondo
      Diabetes may cause dry mouth and frequent urination.