Dry mouth and chest tightness: what should you know?

Dry mouth with chest tightness may come from mouth breathing, reflux, anxiety, medicines or heart and lung conditions. Because chest symptoms can be serious, consider their onset, severity, trigger and associated breathlessness rather than focusing on dryness alone. Stop exertion and seek help promptly if the tightness is new, severe or persistent.

Asthma and COPD can cause tightness with wheeze, cough or breathlessness. Acid reflux may create burning or pressure behind the breastbone, with a sour taste or throat irritation. Anxiety and panic disorder can cause chest tightness, fast breathing, trembling and a dry mouth, but these symptoms should not be assumed to be psychological before urgent causes are considered. Angina can cause pressure linked to exertion and may spread to the arm, jaw, back or shoulder.

Stop activity, sit upright and take slow, comfortable breaths. Small sips of water may help if swallowing is normal. Use a prescribed inhaler only as directed in your action plan; correct inhaler technique can affect how well treatment reaches the airways. Avoid smoking and note whether meals, exertion, stress, cold air or a medicine preceded the episode. Arrange a medical review for recurring or unexplained tightness.

Call emergency services for crushing or severe chest pressure, tightness spreading to the arm or jaw, severe breathlessness, sweating with nausea, fainting, blue lips or sudden weakness. Get urgent help for tightness with facial swelling or wheeze after an exposure. Do not wait for dry mouth to improve before acting, and do not drive if you feel faint or severely unwell.

Could this relate to asthma, reflux, anxiety, a medicine or my heart? Do I need an examination, heart tracing or lung tests? Is my inhaler technique correct? What should I do if the tightness returns?