Obstructive sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea causes pauses in breathing during the night, which may be accompanied by excessive salivation.
Warning signs:
Loud snoring
Tired upon waking
Morning headaches
A screening test may be necessary.
Neurological problems (less common):
Some neurological diseases can affect the control of facial muscles and swallowing, leading to difficulty swallowing saliva.
This remains uncommon in young people without associated symptoms.
Side effects of medications
Some medications can increase saliva production or alter swallowing:
Sedatives
