Dr Zoe Williams lifts the lid on ‘very unusual symptom’ that plagues reader when he sleeps

OUR resident specialist and NHS GP, Dr Zoe Williams, shares her expert advice.

Today, Dr Zoe helps a reader who keeps waking up with a dry tongue and throat.

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Q) When I lie in bed on my left side I cease to produce saliva, which means waking up with a very dry tongue and throat.

If I turn to the right, almost immediately saliva production starts again. I can’t sleep on my right-hand side due to an ear problem.

Suggestions that this is caused by reflux and to take an antacid after every meal has not worked.

I am an 81-year-old man and I’m concerned about the long-term effect on my throat, and sleep problems.

A) That is an unusual but interesting symptom.

Saliva production is mostly automatic, and controlled by the involuntary part of your nervous system.

Factors like hydration and certain medications can affect saliva production but you would expect it to affect both sides equally.

A possible explanation for it only affecting the left side is that the parotid gland (the largest salivary gland, and is in the cheek area) on the left side is somehow susceptible to the pressure from lying on the pillow.

If the salivary duct is already partially blocked, due to a stone or swelling then it may not be able to drain properly, but then flipping over might relieve the extra pressure on the draining tube and allow the saliva to come out.

This is just an example, I can’t give you the answer but it’s important to have a doctor assess your face, and salivary glands and see if there are any abnormalities on examination.

If it persists then you may require an ultrasound scan, or other type of imaging to assess the parotid gland.