What is Lupus?
Lupus (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, or SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue throughout the body. It can affect the joints, skin, kidneys, blood, heart, and lungs, and its symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening.
Early symptoms often include fatigue, skin rashes (including the distinctive butterfly rash across the cheeks), hair loss, and dry or scratchy eyes. Lupus tends to affect women far more than men and is more common in some ethnic minority groups. Diagnosing lupus can take time, as its symptoms overlap significantly with many other conditions.
Why Lupus Causes Dry Mouth
Dry mouth is a frequent companion to lupus, and it arises in more than one way:
- The disease itself - lupus can affect the salivary glands, reducing their ability to produce adequate saliva
- Secondary Sjögren’s Syndrome - a significant proportion of people with lupus also develop secondary Sjögren’s Syndrome, which directly attacks the moisture-producing glands
- Medications - the drugs most commonly used to manage lupus symptoms, including antidepressants, anti-inflammatories, hydroxychloroquine and immunosuppressants, frequently list dry mouth as a side effect
The combination of these factors means that people with lupus may experience pronounced and persistent oral dryness, even when their other symptoms are reasonably controlled.
How XyliMelts can help
- Provides instant relief on application - the disc adheres to the gum and begins releasing moisture immediately
- Long-lasting formula - a single disc provides hours of continuous oral lubrication
- Safe to use alongside all lupus medications - 100% natural with no known contra-indications
- Actively reduces the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, which are elevated in lupus patients
- Discreet for daytime use - invisible when in place, suitable for use at work, in social settings or during appointments
- Xylitol content supports a healthy oral microbiome by inhibiting harmful bacteria
- Can be used at night to manage the dryness and oral discomfort that often worsen during sleep
Using XyliMelts at Night
Lupus fatigue is a well-known feature of the condition, and poor sleep quality makes it significantly worse. Dry mouth is a common reason lupus patients wake during the night - reaching for water, adjusting position, or simply unable to settle because of oral discomfort.
Applying XyliMelts before bed gives the mouth continuous overnight support. The discs work through the night so that, come morning, the mouth is comfortable and the night’s sleep has been as undisturbed as possible.