Other Medical Conditions
Symptoms of the most common oral diseases are dry and chapped lips. Furthermore, it may indicate an underlying medical condition that needs proper and immediate treatment. For example, dry lips may signify that the digestive tract has a problem. Insufficient water intake causes dryness in the colon, which leads to constipation and affects the rest of the body.
Another sign is having low thyroid function (also called hypothyroidism). The thyroid gland is responsible for digestive function, brain development, and the body’s metabolic status. In addition, Hashimoto’s Disease (a more severe form of hypothyroidism) is diagnosed if symptoms like brittle hair, constipation, paleness on the pace, and constantly peeling lips are observable.
Other medical conditions that may manifest through dry lips are gastrointestinal problems and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as Crohn’s disease, different forms of cheilitis (like angular cheilitis), Sjogren’s syndrome, stroke, yeast infection, and diabetes. When changes in the color and texture of the lips occur, and it is recurring and painful, make sure to get an appointment with a healthcare professional to ensure safety and address other possible chronic diseases immediately.
