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What Causes A Dry Mouth After Recovery From Cold?

Posted on Tue, 9 Dec 2014

Question: I had a cold last week and took a steroid nasal spray. For the cold, I had a bad issue with dry mouth. I went back to the doctor and she discovered that I have oral thrush. (Now, I know I can be a bit of a hypochondriac and exaggerate things in my mind.) She gave me Nystatin mouth wash and said if I wanted to, I could swallow only one time a day. Does thrush in the mouth and throat also cause nausea and feeling like there is a cotton ball in your throat? I have been nauseated off and on throughout the day for a few days now. It feels like my throat is so dry. And feels weird and sticky when I swallow--especially when I try swallowing food. I began taking the Nystatin yesterday, rinse and spit 4 times a day-it does seem to have helped it some. Just wondering if this can also cause stomach upset and digestive stuff? Now, lately, I have had bad issues with health anxiety, so keep that in mind as well lol. :)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, these are the features of oral thrush...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for posting the query. I'll try my best to help you with this problem.

First of all, it is very unusual to get oral thrush following the use of steroid nasal spray.

All the symptoms described by you are the typical features of oral thrush.

Oral nystatin can cause nausea in few individuals. There is no harm if swallowed.

As you are already feeling better with nystatin, please continue with the same treatment. Also, you can try taking domperidone to prevent nausea.

Meanwhile, drink plenty of warm water, do steam inhalation, use saline spray to keep you nose moist and reduce the throat discomfort.

Hope this answers your query; I'll be available for the follow up queries.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (57 minutes later)

Thank you so much! Since I developed the post nasal drip last week, I've had severe dry mouth and throat and still do. Perhaps that brought on the thrush. So it is also normal to have the very dry throat and mouth with this? I've noticed it can make the throat feel thick. Then again, I'm still having a little bit of drainage down my throat as well. All my blood work came back good, so I'm sure I'm panicking more than anything. Thank you again for answering my questions!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Nanjasetty (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Post nasal drip doesn't cause dry throat...

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for writing back

I would like to clear from your mind that, dryness in the throat is not because of post nasal drip. It is because of the nasal block which leads to mouth breathing and thus dryness in the throat.

Seldom, do we notice oral thrush following dry mouth. Other factors such as antibiotic over use, smoking, reduced immunity, dentures, etc. frequently causes oral thrush.

Oral thrush forms a layer over the mucosa of the throat, thus blocking the sensory nerves. Due to reduced sensitivity, you feel the sensation of 'cotton feel' or 'thickness in the throat'.

Please, do not panic. Panicking takes you nowhere and in fact, it is going to worsen your problems.

Continue with oral nystatin. You will be alright soon.

Hope this clarifies your doubts. I wish you speedy recovery.

Regards
Dr. Naveen Kumar N.
ENT and Head & Neck Surgeon

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad