What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a group of progressive lung conditions - including emphysema and chronic bronchitis - that cause long-term breathing difficulties. Common symptoms include breathlessness, persistent coughing, wheezing, chest infections and chest tightness.

Symptoms may be constant or intermittent and are often triggered by physical exertion, fumes, smoke, dust or cold air. While there is currently no cure for COPD, good symptom management, a healthy diet and regular appropriate exercise can help to stabilise the condition and improve quality of life.

Why COPD Causes Dry Mouth

Dry mouth is a very common experience for people living with COPD, and it can arise from multiple sources:

  • Mouth breathing - COPD patients often breathe through their mouth, particularly during exertion or breathless episodes, which rapidly dries the oral tissues
  • Oxygen therapy - many patients receive supplemental oxygen through a nasal cannula or face mask; the flow of pressurised air accelerates moisture loss in the mouth
  • Medications - bronchodilators and other COPD medications frequently list dry mouth as a side effect

Conventional dry mouth products such as gels and sprays offer only brief relief when oxygen therapy is in use - the airflow causes them to evaporate quickly, requiring application every hour or more.
XyliMelts Dry Mouth - Unflavoured

How XyliMelts can help

  • Slow-release formula stays effective much longer than sprays or gels - a single disc provides up to 8 hours of continuous moisture
  • Not affected by oxygen therapy airflow - adheres to the gum and continues working regardless of whether oxygen is being administered
  • Significantly reduces the frequency of reapplication, easing the burden of symptom management
  • Helps manage breathlessness-related mouth breathing by keeping the oral tissues lubricated throughout
  • Reduces the risk of oral infection and dental decay - important for COPD patients whose general immune resilience may be reduced
  • Particularly effective during sleep, when both oxygen therapy and reduced salivary flow make overnight dryness especially difficult to manage
  • 100% natural and free from known contra-indications - safe alongside all COPD medications

Using XyliMelts at Night

Night-time is often the most challenging period for COPD patients with dry mouth. Oxygen therapy continues through the night, saliva production drops during sleep, and there is no practical way to apply a spray or gel without waking.

XyliMelts are an ideal overnight solution. Apply two discs before sleeping - they will adhere to the gum and continue releasing moisture through the night, working alongside oxygen therapy rather than against it. Many COPD patients report significantly better sleep quality as a result.