If You Drool While Sleeping Often, It Could Be a Sign of These 6 Health Conditions

Occasional drooling during sleep is normal—especially if you’re a side or stomach sleeper. But frequent, excessive drooling (medically called sialorrhea) can sometimes signal an underlying health issue, especially if it’s new, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms.

Here are six conditions doctors consider when nighttime drooling becomes persistent:

1. Sleep Apnea

Why it happens: Obstructive sleep apnea causes you to breathe through your mouth due to airway blockage, leading to open-mouth posture and drooling.
Other signs: Loud snoring, gasping for air at night, daytime fatigue, morning headaches.
Action: A sleep study can confirm diagnosis; treatment often includes CPAP therapy.