Various strange and unusual tastes that appear in the mouth are alarming and make you wonder if everything is okay with the body. For example, what does the taste of salt in your mouth indicate? Doctors note that the feeling of excess salt cannot be considered normal.
Cardiologist, therapist, endocrinologist Tatyana Romanenko told AiF.ru about what diseases such a taste in the mouth indicates and what needs to be done .
When we talk about the taste of salt in the mouth, we must first of all exclude the most important, serious and dangerous causes of this pathological phenomenon.
Blood in the mouth
One of the most important and yet common causes of this phenomenon is bleeding. Naturally, since we are talking about the mouth, then most often it arises from the gums. But increased gum bleeding can be caused by a number of factors.
Question answer
What causes the bitter taste in the mouth? One of the most common problems is inflammatory infectious diseases of the oral cavity. The reason may be either untreated, not fully sanitized teeth, or inflammatory diseases of the gums and tonsils themselves. These could also be neoplasms. That is, the problem lies in all local processes.
Another fairly global problem that we should always remember is bleeding gums due to changes in blood clotting. These are various types of thrombophilia, for example. Of course, there will be not only a salty taste in the mouth, but also other symptoms of hemorrhagic syndrome.
Another rather serious reason is blood disease, in particular those that are accompanied by bleeding. This could be thrombocytopenia, anemia, etc. That is, in this case, salty in the mouth is the taste of blood, and such a condition always requires prompt differential diagnosis and initiation of treatment.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic methods are selected depending on the person’s concomitant health complaints. The symptoms listed above will help you understand which specialist to seek help.
To begin with, you should contact a therapist , who will suggest the further path of examination.
Important! If, during regular hygiene measures, an unpleasant odor persists in the mouth, and even more so if blood is found in the oral cavity, this is a good reason to visit the dentist.
It is necessary to exclude or confirm and treat gingivitis, periodontitis or other oral diseases.
You should also go to the dentist if your salivary glands are swollen to check whether the problem is inflammation.
Thrush that appears in the oral cavity is also diagnosed and treated by this specialist.
If you have a runny nose, cough and a constant desire to improve your throat, you should go to an ENT specialist . People turn to him for constant nasal congestion, which often indicates rhinitis.
Abdominal pain and other tastes in the mouth are a reason to consult a gastroenterologist. Most likely, gastroscopy and/or ultrasound of the abdominal organs will be prescribed.
If you have weakness, constant pallor, noise in the ears, or spots before your eyes, you need to check your blood and rule out anemia.
The doctor prescribes a general blood test and, depending on its results, additional tests to clarify the type of anemia.
Need to know! Constant headaches, vomiting, and lack of coordination accompany the occurrence of tumors and other diseases of the brain and nerves.
Therefore, in such a situation, it is better to consult a therapist, neurologist or oncologist.
The doctor will conduct tests of coordination and reflexes, and may prescribe an MRI or SCT.
Saltiness of the lips when taking medications can be prescribed in the instructions for the drug.
You can also ask the doctor who prescribed the medicine about this.
Oral hygiene
A common cause of a salty taste in the mouth is poor oral hygiene. If a person does not brush his teeth well enough, if plaque forms, all this contributes to the development of pathological microflora, the waste products of which will give this unpleasant salty taste.
Also, the appearance of taste is influenced by the presence of an infectious process in the oral cavity - the formation of tartar, fistulas, chronic tonsillitis.
Taste of illness. How to determine your diagnosis by the taste in your mouth Read more
Diseases of the ENT organs and respiratory tract
A taste of salt in the mouth sometimes occurs with the development of infectious and inflammatory diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract. When the paranasal sinuses become inflamed, mucus is actively secreted. It flows down the back of the throat, constantly causing a cough. When it enters the mouth, a salty taste is felt.
Runny nose
A runny nose due to a cold or allergy causes excess mucus in the nasal passages to flow from the back of the nose down the throat. The presence of this mucus can cause your saliva to be saltier than normal. Runny nose remedies can help clear your nasal passages and thus eliminate the salty taste in your mouth.
Bacterial sinusitis, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis can occur in both acute and chronic forms. Regardless of the nature of the disease, mucus appears. It constantly bothers you when it gets into your mouth, changing your taste sensations.
Excess salt on the menu
A similar symptom may appear when we eat excessively salty foods. For a long time now, scientists, doctors, as well as adherents of a healthy lifestyle have noted that salt in large quantities is dangerous for the human body. And its main danger is the load on the cardiovascular system, urinary system, and kidneys. It also increases blood pressure. Therefore, to some extent, modification of diets can lead to the fact that taste perception is restored and excess salt begins to be felt.
Characteristics of edema of renal origin
Diseases of the urinary system are accompanied by edema with the following features:
- rapid swelling - in less than a day;
- the greatest intensity is on the face, under the eyes, on the arms and legs, and on the abdominal wall;
- when changing posture and active movement, the fluid shifts;
- the surface of the edematous skin is soft and pale.
Swelling of renal origin first appears on the face in the morning, but in acute pathologies and advanced chronic stages the patient may suffer from swelling around the clock.
The reason is tears
Another interesting reason may be related to the pathology of the tear ducts. It would seem, how are the eyes and the salty taste in the mouth connected? In fact, if there is a disruption in the functioning of the tear ducts, increased secretion of tears may occur; on the other hand, the normal passage of this tear content is also disrupted. As a result, the tear enters the nose, then it flows down the back wall of the throat, and a feeling of saltiness occurs in the mouth. Pathology of the lacrimal glands (ducts) can provoke a salty taste in the mouth.
Why does a metallic taste appear in the mouth? More details
Treatment
Different forms of cheilitis differ in their approach to treatment. Collectively, the impact may include:
- correction of the psycho-emotional sphere - a neurologist prescribes sedatives, tranquilizers, a psychologist or psychotherapist conducts appropriate psychotherapy;
- physiotherapy - treatment with laser, ultrasound, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis is prescribed locally; they relieve irritation and accelerate tissue regeneration;
- drug symptomatic therapy - non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed; in case of severe inflammation - hormonal drugs;
- immunotherapy – strengthen the immune system by taking immunomodulators and immunostimulants;
- vitamin therapy - taking vitamins A, C, group B (mainly vitamin B2) is of great importance;
- surgical treatment – typical for glandular cheilitis with enlargement of the salivary glands; Both laser ablation with a surgical laser and direct removal of areas of the gland are used;
- antiallergic therapy with antihistamines.
Additionally, the doctor may prescribe diet therapy with the exclusion of foods that provoke allergies or chemical irritation of tissues (spicy foods, saltiness and marinades). When staying outdoors for a long time, it is imperative to use special protective equipment.
Rare reason
Quite rarely, but it still happens, the reason lies in the pathology of the nervous system, when a change in taste perception is noted. In particular, such sensations can occur after suffering traumatic brain injuries, acute cerebrovascular accidents, chronic cerebral circulatory disorders and, of course, infectious diseases. Any viral infections can provoke a perversion of taste disturbance, and this can contribute to the appearance of such a salty taste in the mouth.
Disturbances in brain activity
With the development of pathologies in brain activity, disturbances occur in various organs and systems. If there are abnormalities in the brain, for example, tumor processes or epilepsy, such diseases may be accompanied by a salty taste on the lips and on the mucous membrane of the mouth.
But such a reason is very rare. Especially if there are no additional symptoms of possible pathologies. It is recommended to visit a doctor to find out the cause of the symptom, this will help to quickly eliminate it.
Chief author and editor-in-chief: Makarskaya S.E., 29 years of experience.
Last revision: 08/17/2017
Gastrointestinal tract and dehydration
A salty taste in the mouth often occurs with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Such a common pathology as gastroesophageal reflux disease causes a similar problem. First of all, of course, this is the appearance of a feeling of acidity, but some people may also complain of saltiness in the mouth.
Often, the taste of salt can be felt when the body is dehydrated, for example after some kind of infection. The effect is especially enhanced if, against the background of a lack of moisture, there is an excess of alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks. A characteristic aftertaste may arise here. Fluid imbalance causes more sodium chloride to appear in saliva. Hence the taste of salt in the mouth. Any loss of fluid and blood thickening are accompanied by this symptom.
Development of dehydration
Chronically dehydrated people experience a salty taste in their mouth. The salt is felt on the lips, they also become dry, and the person experiences constant thirst. Why does this happen to people? In this situation, such a feeling does not indicate the development of the disease. Such symptoms occur in those people who regularly abuse caffeine-containing drinks, for example, strong tea, coffee, and soft energy drinks.
Also included in the group of drinks that can cause dehydration is sweet soda. In this case, dry hands are additionally observed, the causes of which also lie in dehydration (the little finger may not only be dry, but also peel). In case of such a problem, it is recommended to exclude from life foods that negatively affect the body. This also includes alcoholic drinks, which absorb fluid in the body and retain salt.
Diseases of the salivary glands
A salty taste in the mouth that is not associated with food intake may be one of the signs of diseases of the salivary glands.
When the salivary gland becomes inflamed, its function is disrupted, resulting in changes not only in the amount of saliva produced, but also in its composition. Against the background of inflammatory processes of the salivary glands, the patient may complain of a persistent salty taste in the mouth. Associated symptoms of inflammatory processes are:
- increased salivation;
- pain in the lower jaw;
- enlargement and tenderness of the cervical lymph nodes.
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
GERD occurs when the esophageal sphincter weakens, allowing bile or hydrochloric acid to back up into the esophagus. This leads to a burning sensation behind the breastbone, along with other symptoms. GERD can also cause an unusual taste in the mouth, often described as bitter, sour, or salty.
Why does the problem occur in men?
There is a salty taste in my mouth. What is it and why does it occur in men? This phenomenon often occurs in athletes or people engaged in exhausting physical labor. During physical overload or training, blood pressure rises and blood flows stronger. And as we have already found out, the blood contains sodium, chloride and iron ions. This explains why, after physical labor or active sports, a person has salty lips and a feeling of salt in the mouth.
In the morning after a stormy party or get-togethers with friends, you wonder why there is a taste of salt in your mouth? The reason may lie in alcohol abuse. Don't forget that alcoholic drinks have a strong dehydrating effect. An excess of alcohol in the blood causes intoxication and dehydration of the body. To restore the balance of fluids and beneficial minerals in the body, be sure to drink plenty of distilled water and mineral water in the following days.
