Salivation

Salivation is an excessive production of saliva in response to certain medications or conditions. This condition is also known as sialorrhea or ptyalism. It is caused by a variety of physiological and psychological factors, including certain medications, anxiety, stress, and certain medical conditions. Medications that can cause salivation include antipsychotic drugs, tricyclic antidepressants, and anticholinergics, among others. Antipsychotic drugs are used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorder and work by blocking the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Tricyclic antidepressants work by increasing the levels of serotonin in the brain, and anticholinergics block the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Anxiety and stress can also cause salivation. These conditions can lead to an increase in the production of saliva as a way to cope with the underlying emotion. Certain medical conditions can also cause salivation. These include conditions that affect the mouth, such as dry mouth, an overactive parotid gland (the gland that produces saliva), and Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects the glands that produce saliva. Salivation can also be caused by certain neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. In these cases, salivation is caused by a disruption of the nervous system’s ability to regulate the production of saliva. Salivation can be treated with medications that reduce saliva production, such as anticholinergics, or by avoiding the trigger medications or conditions.