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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Dry Mouth, Loss Of Appetite And Fatigue In A Person With COPD?

My Father is an 87yo with a hx of COPD, renal failure, restless leg syndrome, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. He recently had a sudden onset of A Fib with an RVR and has been hospitalized x 2 for rate control. He is not a candidate for cardioversion due to an enlarged R atrium. He has been placed on Cardizem and Amiodarone within the last 2 1/2 weeks. His post-hospital recovery has been very slow and he seems to be having many more problems than before and is getting weaker and more symptomatic with each passing day. His recent set of symptoms since being hospitalized are as follows: dry mouth, loss of appetite, trouble sleeping, unusual tiredness/weakness, lack of strength, pallor, tremor, taste perversion, thirst, abnormal dreams, and hallucinations. He had NONE of these symptoms prior to being placed on the two afore mentioned drugs. Do you think that he is having untoward side effects from one or both of these drugs?
Tue, 21 Jun 2016
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Dentist 's  Response
Hi Dear ,

Welcome to HCM.

Understanding your concern. As per your query you have symptoms of dry mouth, loss of appetite and fatigue in a person with COPD . It seems to be due to Sjogren's syndrome that is an autoimmune disease and the classical features of it are dry mouth and dry eyes.

But in your case the symptoms are also occur due to chest infection or allergic condition like asthma. Dryness of mouth leads to thinning of the mucosa and it leads to inflammation and burning sensation leading to Apthous Stomatitis. I would suggest you to start chewing sugarfree chewing gum as it will help in stimulating saliva flow.

You should also use "Artificial saliva drops" as they help in lubrication inside mouth. Consult chest specialist for chest infection . Doctor may also refer you to dentist for orla infection or allergy specialist for asthma like condition.


Hope your concern has been resolved.

Get Well Soon.

Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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What Causes Dry Mouth, Loss Of Appetite And Fatigue In A Person With COPD?

Hi Dear , Welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. As per your query you have symptoms of dry mouth, loss of appetite and fatigue in a person with COPD . It seems to be due to Sjogren s syndrome that is an autoimmune disease and the classical features of it are dry mouth and dry eyes. But in your case the symptoms are also occur due to chest infection or allergic condition like asthma. Dryness of mouth leads to thinning of the mucosa and it leads to inflammation and burning sensation leading to Apthous Stomatitis. I would suggest you to start chewing sugarfree chewing gum as it will help in stimulating saliva flow. You should also use Artificial saliva drops as they help in lubrication inside mouth. Consult chest specialist for chest infection . Doctor may also refer you to dentist for orla infection or allergy specialist for asthma like condition. Hope your concern has been resolved. Get Well Soon. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari