If a person drools in his sleep, he probably won’t confide in anyone. At least I imagine that if something like this were happening to me, I wouldn’t tell anyone I was having it. On the other hand, if I noticed it in my partner, for example, I would make sure he addressed the problem. It may seem humorous, but it could be a symptom of a serious illness.

In some cases, drooling in your sleep is normal. It may mean that the person has reached deep REM sleep. However, if the drooling appears suddenly, starts to get worse, or you simply drool too much, you should probably get checked out.

A wet pillow can mean good news or bad news

If you wake up on a pillow that is completely wet, it’s quite possible that you just slept very well. But then there’s the flip side of things: it could also mean symptoms of respiratory or even neurological illness. I would rather not take any chances. If something like this happens to you, see a doctor. And if something like this happens to your partner and he refuses to address it, make sure he sees a doctor.

In the REM phase, sometimes there’s muscle paralysis. This protective mechanism can cause saliva to leak out of the mouth. But that doesn’t happen all that often. And if it does, usually not in such quantities that the pillow is still completely wet in the morning. If you wake up feeling like you’re lying in water every day, it’s more likely to be a health problem.

It happens to women, it happens to men. Few want to address the problem, but it is not advisable to underestimate it. ━━ It happens to women, it happens to men. Few want to address the problem, but it is not advisable to underestimate it. ( Source: bruce mars /  Unsplash+ )

Why do we drool in our sleep?

There are several cases that doctors say you should watch out for. If you regularly have problems with drooling in your sleep, see a specialist to find out where the problem lies.

  • A stuffy nose and mouth breathing: This is a medical problem, but not a serious one. You can breathe normally during the day, but at night your body suffers because of a stuffy nose. You can cure this problem with common medicines or nasal sprays.
  • Sleep apnoea: In this case, the problem is more serious. It is a disorder in which there are repeated breathing stoppages. However, the person is not aware of it during sleep. Besides drooling, irregular breathing also triggers snoring, morning headaches and sore throat.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux: If acid irritates the esophagus, there is excessive production of saliva, which you simply don’t swallow in your sleep. You need to limit your bedtime eating, but most importantly, start eating healthier overall.
  • Neurological diseases: Long-term problems with drooling in sleep can be the first signs of Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis.

Drooling during the night can be reduced by sleeping on your back with multiple pillows under your head, relaxing your airways before sleeping, and not consuming anything for about 4 hours before bed. But if none of this helps and the problems get worse, see a doctor. Even if it’s a minor thing, it’s better to be sure. On the other hand, if it is a symptom of a serious problem, at least catch it in time.