Why You Drool on Your Pillow While Asleep: Doctors Explain the Common Causes
Drooling onto a pillow is usually harmless, but sometimes it can point to a health problem, the US outlet HuffPost reports. Doctors outline the most common causes and the signs that call for medical advice.
Waking up with a pillowcase wet with saliva is mostly nothing to worry about, but in some cases it can be the first sign of an illness. This is according to family physician Cynthia Odogwu, cited by the US news outlet HuffPost.
Why it happens
During sleep the body produces a normal amount of saliva, but swallows it far less often than when awake. As a result, saliva can build up and end up on the pillow.
The most common reasons include:
- Mouth breathing. If the mouth is open at night, saliva easily escapes. This type of breathing dries the mouth, so the body makes even more saliva. It can be caused by a blocked nose from a cold or by a deviated septum.
- Sleeping position. Sleeping on the side or stomach makes a drooly pillow more likely.
- Sleep disorders. With sleep apnea, people breathe through the mouth more often. The risk of apnea is higher in people with diabetes or excess weight. Overeating at dinner and drinking alcohol also worsen sleep and increase drooling.
- Age. In children it is often linked to enlarged tonsils or adenoids. With age, the muscles that keep the airway open and the mouth closed weaken, and neurological problems become more common, such as Parkinson's disease, which impairs swallowing.
- Acid reflux. When lying flat, stomach contents can flow back into the esophagus and cause heartburn. The body responds by producing more saliva to neutralize the acid.
- Dental problems. A misaligned bite, mouth ulcers and ill-fitting dentures.
When to seek help
A little drooling on the pillow is normally fine. If it suddenly increases, it is worth reviewing your habits. If you are not ill and have good sleep hygiene, consulting a doctor is advisable. Regularly waking up to a wet pillowcase is another warning sign.
Help should be sought if drooling comes with choking, coughing or difficulty swallowing. Loud snoring, brief pauses in breathing and severe daytime sleepiness also deserve attention. According to HuffPost, these may indicate serious sleep disorders.
