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Questions and answers about sports

Why does thick saliva form in your mouth after heavy exercise?

2 min read

Asked by: Dawn Watkins

In addition, mouth breathing during exercise may lead to increased evaporation of water and subsequent thickening of saliva. Increased viscosity might also be due to the increased secretion rate of MUC5B, similar to the increased secretion of other proteins after exercise.

Why does my saliva get sticky when I exercise?

All exercise, regardless of the intensity, also makes you secrete more of a protein called MUC5B. This makes your saliva more sticky and viscous, which contributes to that dry mouth feeling you can get after exercising.

Why do I get mucus in my mouth when I workout?

The likely culprit: dehydration. “When you exercise, your fluid—water fluid and also your blood—is shunted from your mouth, your stomach, your GI tract to your muscles,” says Dr. Bob Adams, chair of USA Track and Field’s sports medicine and science committee.

How do I stop my saliva from getting thick when I run?

Drink at least 8 to 10 cups of fluid to help prevent dehydration and help thin saliva. Drink warm fluids to help clear your mouth of thick saliva and to help ‘wash’ food down. Rinse your mouth and gargle with club soda or baking soda rinse (1/4 tsp baking soda mixed with 1 cup water) before and after eating.

Does exercise increase saliva production?

Conclusions: Exercise may not only lead to the anticipated increase in amylase and protein secretion, but also to an increase in salivary flow rate and MUC5B secretion.

What does thick saliva indicate?

Dehydration: Thick saliva can simply be a result of dehydration, which can be cause by drinking too little water, or breathing through your mouth rather than through your nose.

How do you cure sticky saliva?

Home Remedies for Sticky Saliva

  1. Taking small bites, chewing your food well, and sipping liquids with meals to moisten the foods and assist with swallowing.
  2. Frequently drinking cold water.
  3. Suck on ice chips and hard candies, and chew sugarless gum.
  4. Use a cool-mist humidifier to moisten room air.

Why is my mouth producing so much saliva suddenly?

Other conditions. Drooling is usually caused by excess saliva in the mouth. Medical conditions such as acid reflux and pregnancy can increase saliva production. Allergies, tumors, and above-the-neck infections such as strep throat, tonsil infection, and sinusitis can all impair swallowing.