The most common causes of dry mouth and headache are dehydration, migraines and a reaction to medication. The combination of dry mouth and headache can be a symptom of several diseases, or the two symptoms could be entirely unrelated to one another. The most important considerations when evaluating the cause of dry mouth and headache is to note any other symptoms that are being experienced, which would help in the diagnosis. For example, dehydration also can cause chills and general weakness. The important considerations when one chooses a treatment plan for dry mouth and headache are to rule out more serious diseases first, drink plenty of water and see a physician if the problem is persistent.

Dry mouth is a commonly reported sensation that almost everyone experiences at one time or another. Medically speaking, dry mouth is a decreased flow of saliva that might be associated with dehydration, anxiety, the use of certain medications or a vitamin deficiency. The medical term for dry mouth is hyposalivation, asialorrhea and xerostomia.

Although not a disease, dry mouth can be a symptom of many disorders. Dry mouth also is a common side effect of several medications, including those prescribed for treating pain, depression, anxiety, allergies and colds. Significant health problems can develop if the problem is persistent. It also can affect nutrition and contributes to tooth decay and frequent infections in the mouth. Some of the symptoms of dry mouth include frequent thirst, a sticky feeling or burning sensation in the mouth, cracked lips, a dry tongue, a dry feeling in the throat, sores in the mouth and problems speaking or difficulty swallowing.

Headache also is a commonly reported complaint and can be either a symptom of a disease or an ailment of its own. There are several different types of headaches. These include migraines, sinus headaches, cluster headaches, hormone headaches, tension-type headaches and rebound headaches.

There are multiple treatments for dry mouth and headache. Keeping hydrated is a very important part of staying healthy and avoiding an occurrence of dry mouth and headache. The treatment plan for headaches is dependent on the type of headache a person has. All headaches can be treated with over-the-counter medicines such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

If headaches are persistent, several types of headaches can be prevented with various medications or lifestyle changes. For example, migraine headaches have many known triggers that are different for each person. Rebound headaches are caused by excessive use of analgesics.