What do you drool over? Drooling has a number of meanings. It even has another name.
Sialorrhea:
The unintentional loss of saliva from the mouth, occurs in up to 25% of patients with motor neuron disease
Most of those with motor neuron disease are afflicted with ALS. We drool. And not in a good way.
Drool:
1a : to secrete saliva in anticipation of food
The dog hears the bell and begins to drool.
b : to let saliva dribble from the mouth.
a drooling baby2 : to make an effusive show of pleasure or often envious or covetous appreciation
drooling over their new car3 : to talk nonsense
I like #2 above. I drool over my wife because she has captured my heart and kept it a slave for nearly 40 years.
I am often accused of #3 above.
Drooling for ALS patients is different.
It can significantly affect quality of life. It is caused by dysphagia with inability to swallow secretions because of tongue spasticity; weakness of face, mouth, and pharyngeal muscles; and loss of oropharyngeal coordination and function and is not due to increased production of saliva. There are 2 main types of saliva produced by the 3 major salivary glands: serous saliva, which is thin and watery and is mediated by cholinergic receptors, and mucoidal saliva, which is thicker and more viscous and is mediated by beta-adrenergic receptors.
That may be more than you ever cared to know about drooling but suffice it to say I drool more now; thanks to my wife and to the effects of ALS.