xerostomia /zir′əstō′mē·ə/ [Gk, xeros + stoma, mouth] , dryness of the mouth caused by cessation of normal salivary secretion. The condition is a symptom of various diseases such as diabetes, acute infections, hysteria, and Sjögren’s syndrome and can be caused by paralysis of facial nerves. It may also result from radiation treatments for cancers of the face, head, or neck. It is also caused by an adverse reaction to drugs.
