Inflammation of the salivary glands (symptoms, treatment are described in this article) is most often localized near the ears. In this case, we are talking about such an ailment as parotitis. Much less often, the inflammatory process affects the glands located under the tongue or under the jaw.
Disease types
What are the types of salivary gland disease? It should be noted that inflammation can become secondary and act as an overlay on the underlying disease. Although the primary manifestation is often diagnosed, which proceeds in isolation. In addition, pathology can develop on only one side or affect both. Multiple involvement of the salivary glands in the inflammatory process is very rare. The disease can be viral in nature, and also be the result of the penetration of bacteria.
How many salivary glands are there in the body?
There are three pairs of salivary glands.
- Large salivary glands are located in front, below the ears. As already mentioned, their inflammation in medicine is called mumps.
- The second pair are the glands located under the jaw,below the back teeth.
- The third pair is represented by the glands located under the tongue. They are located directly in the oral cavity, in the mucous membrane, on both sides of the root of the tongue.
All glands produce saliva, It is released through ducts that are located in different areas of the mouth.
Symptomatics
What are the symptoms of salivary gland disease?
Regardless of which pair of salivary glands the inflammatory process is localized, a number of specific signs are inherent in sialadenitis:
- Dry mouth caused by decreased saliva.
- The presence of shooting pain, localized in the gland that has undergone inflammation. Pain may radiate to the ear, neck, or mouth. There may also be pain caused by chewing food or minimal opening of the mouth.
- Swelling and noticeable hyperemia of the skin in direct projection to the salivary gland, which has undergone inflammation.
- The presence of an unpleasant taste and smell in the mouth, which is provoked by suppuration of the salivary glands.
Signs of salivary gland disease are varied. Sometimes patients complain of a feeling of pressure on the affected area, which is evidence that purulent contents have accumulated in the focus of inflammation.
As a rule, in the presence of the disease, the body temperature rises to 40 degrees. At the same time, there is asthenia, a feverish state.
The most dangerous form of sialadenitis
Sialadenitis,the symptoms of which are diverse, proceeds in different forms. The most dangerous type of disease of the salivary glands is mumps, which is also called mumps. This virus is fraught with serious complications, since in addition to the salivary glands, it can also affect other glands, such as the mammary or sex glands. Sometimes the pathology even extends to the pancreas.
Mumps belongs to the category of highly contagious diseases, therefore, if standard symptoms appear, indicating the onset of an inflammatory process in the salivary glands, the patient should stop communicating with he althy people and urgently seek help from a specialist to clarify the diagnosis.
In the absence of timely treatment of diseases of the salivary glands in the human body, complications of a purulent nature may develop. If an abscess occurs in an acute form in one of the salivary glands, the patient's body temperature will definitely rise sharply.
As a rule, the general condition of a person is severe. Sometimes pus is secreted directly into the oral cavity. A fistula may also form, from which pus oozes onto the skin.
Diagnostics
With a disease such as sialadenitis, the symptoms of which are diverse, diagnostics are required. As a rule, during a set of standard examinations conducted by a general practitioner or dentist, an increase in the size and change in the shape of the salivary glands can be noted. In addition, the patient may complain of pain. This happens ifthe disease is bacterial. Often, with infections of a viral nature, for example, with mumps, pain may not bother at all.
If a purulent process is suspected, the therapist may prescribe a CT scan or ultrasound.
The following is a list of standard diagnostic tests for mumps:
- The use of computed tomography is a modern method that allows you to get clear pictures.
- X-ray.
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provides high-quality images of the affected area using nuclear magnetic resonance.
- Ultrasound. This diagnosis is the most common way to detect lesions of the salivary glands. It is carried out using ultrasonic waves and has a minimal negative impact on the human body.
Preventive measures
To fully prevent the occurrence and subsequent spread of the inflammatory process to other salivary glands, the patient must observe the basics of hygiene, monitor the condition of the oral cavity, tonsils, gums and teeth.
When elementary diseases of a viral or catarrhal nature occur, timely therapy should be carried out.
At the first sign of disruption of the salivary glands, you should irrigate the oral cavity with a solution of citric acid. This method makes it possible to release the salivary ducts in the most common and harmless way by provoking intensesalivation.
Therapy Methods
Inflammation of the parotid salivary gland should be treated by a specialist, since the wrong choice of therapy tactics can complicate the course of the disease and provoke its transition to a chronic form. The chronic course is dangerous due to its periodic exacerbations and resistance to the effects of drugs.
With timely treatment, patients usually need to undergo conservative therapy. In some cases, therapy is carried out on an outpatient basis. Sometimes the patient requires bed rest and a balanced diet.
In some cases, patients complain of acute pain in the mouth and difficulty in chewing. They need crushed food to relieve discomfort.
To reduce the manifestations of such a process as inflammation of the parotid salivary gland, doctors advise taking plenty of fluids. You can use compotes, juices, herbal fruit drinks, rosehip broth and even milk. Topical treatment is highly effective.
Sometimes patients are shown certain physiotherapy. For example, a UHF or a solar lamp will be used.
To ensure the outflow of saliva, it is advised to follow a diet that promotes the outflow of saliva. In this case, before eating, you should hold a thin slice of lemon in your mouth.
Before meals, you can eat crackers and sauerkraut. Sometimes cranberries or other acidic foods are used. This makes it possible to avoid the stagnant process in the salivary glands andpromotes the speedy removal of dead cells and decay products of bacteria.
Depending on the development of the disease, the doctor can decide when to start active stimulation of salivation. To reduce body temperature and reduce pain, patients are advised to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. For example, "Baralgin", "Ibuprofen" or "Pentalgin" is used.
If the patient's condition continues to worsen and specific signs of a purulent lesion appear, then in this case they resort to the use of antibiotics.
Surgery
Inflammation of the salivary glands, the symptoms, the treatment of which we are currently studying, in some cases is eliminated by the surgical method. Surgical intervention involves opening and subsequent drainage of the affected gland. In particular, this method is used for a strong purulent process. In such cases, drugs are injected directly into the salivary gland.
The treatment of a chronic disease is considered to be a very long and complicated process.
It should be noted that the chronic form can be both the result of an acute process and the primary manifestation. Often a protracted course is observed in rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and other pathologies.
Basic forms of chronic nonspecific sialadenitis
Chronic non-specific form is divided into the following types:
- parenchymal;
- interstitial,expressed in the defeat of the ducts (chronic sialodochitis);
- calculous, characterized by the appearance of stones.
In most cases, the patient does not complain of pain
Chronic disease of the salivary gland in the acute period is characterized by retention of saliva (colic). From the mouth of the duct, a secret of a thick consistency, resembling mucus, is released. It tastes s alty.
Diseases contributing to the development of sialadenitis
With various pathological processes in the body (diffuse damage to the connective tissue, damage to the digestive organs, disruption of the endocrine system, malfunction of the central nervous system), dystrophic diseases of the salivary glands can develop, which are expressed in an increase and disruption of their functionality.
As a rule, there is a reactive growth of the intermediate connective tissue, which provokes the development of interstitial sialadenitis. This condition can manifest itself in Mikulich's syndrome, botulism, diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, scleroderma, Sjögren's syndrome.
Conclusion
Sialadenitis, the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of which you already know, is an inflammatory process in the salivary glands. It can be triggered by certain diseases, as well as a lack of oral hygiene.
An important condition is timely therapy. Otherwise, the disease can take a purulent form and even a chronic course. In running formssurgery indicated.
