Although pregnancy is generally a stage that fills us with excitement and excitement, it is also a process in which we can experience some discomfort due to all the changes that our body is experiencing thanks to hormones.
If you are pregnant, you have likely noticed excessive salivation, often accompanied by nausea and vomiting. One of the most common symptoms of pregnancy is ptyalism or excess salivation, also known as hypersalivation.
We tell you what you should know about hypersalivation or excessive salivation during pregnancy .
What is hypersalivation or ptyalism
Hypersalivation, also called sialorrhea or ptyalism, refers to excess salivation, a phenomenon that is very common during pregnancy, although it is not usually mentioned within the typical discomforts of this.
Excessive salivation is often associated with two other well-known pregnancy symptoms: nausea and vomiting . Of course, like all the other discomforts of pregnancy, hypersalivation is caused by the great hormonal process that we are experiencing.
This enormous hormonal change is the same that causes other oral alterations and is responsible for other discomforts related to oral health, such as bad breath or gingivitis.
Usually, hypersalivation occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, along with the famous nausea, and in most cases it does not represent any serious problem . It usually disappears spontaneously at week 20 or decreases markedly, although sometimes it remains until the end of pregnancy.
It is possible that salivation begins when you feel nausea or it is also that swallowing excess saliva is causing the nausea.
Should I be concerned if I have excessive salivation?
In principle, ptyalism or abundant salivation during pregnancy will only be an uncomfortable companion , which can become very annoying, particularly at night, as it makes it difficult to sleep.
However, despite the fact that it is a normal symptom and does not represent seriousness, there are extreme cases where we will have to pay special attention.
If excess saliva is very abundant, prevents a normal life and is accompanied by vomiting several times a day , it is necessary to consult a doctor, because we could suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum or dehydration and we need treatment to avoid complications.
How to relieve excessive salivation
To help alleviate excess salivation and its discomfort, we can follow the same tips that we use to alleviate nausea, in addition to the following tricks:
- Eat some food such as a slice of whole wheat bread, light crackers, nuts and raisins.
- Brush your teeth when you start to feel like you’re salivating excessively.
- Perform mouthwashes.
- Chew a peppermint gum.
- Lemon soft drinks or drinking a glass of water with a lemon wedge are also recommended.
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In Babies and more | The discomforts of pregnancy, trimester by trimester (and how you can alleviate them),
