Sometimes the tissues of the salivary glands begin to become inflamed, their function is disturbed, which contributes to the occurrence of salivary stone disease. What it is? Every person has three pairs of major salivary glands. In addition to them, in the oral cavity there are a large number of small glands that secrete saliva. Stones of completely different sizes can form in them or in their excretory ducts. Let's try to figure out what is salivary stone disease. Symptoms, treatment of this disease will also be considered.
Why can stones form?
You should know that there are a large number of microorganisms in the human oral cavity. In he althy people with strong immunity, they do not manifest themselves in any way, since saliva neutralizes them. In addition, many obstacles prevent microbes from entering the body.
The problem can occur when a person's body temperature rises or, for certain reasons, dehydration occurs, as well as when the salivary glands are mechanically irritated. This leads to the fact that harmful microorganisms enter the large glands, which begin to multiply there, causing their inflammation. It, in turn, presses on the ducts, due to which stagnation of saliva is formed. This is the reason for the further reproduction of pathogenic microflora and the occurrence of purulent processes.
Thus, this disease is formed due to the fact that some substances that saliva should dissolve begin to crystallize.
Symptoms
If salivary stone disease occurs, symptoms may appear as follows:
- the face and neck begin to swell due to blockage of the salivary ducts, because fluid accumulates, and when a stone is found in the parotid gland near the ears, swelling occurs;
- causes difficulty in the process of chewing and swallowing food, as the cheek muscles are involved;
- if the stone is large, it is difficult not only to open your mouth, but also to talk;
- at rest, pain in the mouth and cheeks begins to be felt;
- due to the fact that saliva practically ceases to be produced, there is an unpleasant feeling of dry mouth;
- face and neck may turn red;
- when the disease passes into the stage of purulent inflammation, he alth begins to deteriorate, body temperature rises, weakness and headache occur;
- if the parotid salivary glands become inflamed, the earlobe protrudes;
- bad taste in mouth.
Symptoms of a disease such as salivary stone disease develop gradually. The initial stage is characterized by unpleasantsensations that arise when eating. After 20 minutes, the discomfort disappears, but you should not flatter yourself too much, as the pathological process begins to develop. If left untreated, it enters the acute phase.
Acute and chronic disease
Salivary stone disease occurs in acute and chronic form. In the first case, it develops suddenly and is accompanied by severe pain, general weakness, fever. Redness, swelling and soreness occur in the area where the gland duct exits.
As soon as the acute stage becomes chronic, the inflammatory process disappears, but a slight swelling remains and asymmetry of the glands develops.
Disease diagnosis
If you suspect that you have such a pathology as salivary stone disease, you need to see a doctor as soon as possible, who will make the correct diagnosis. Usually, at the first appointment, he asks the patient about past colds or other possible causes of the disease. Then he begins to examine the area of the gland, palpates it and can feel the stone in it.
In addition, an x-ray of the salivary gland, carried out with the introduction of a contrast agent, helps to diagnose the disease. This method is called "sialography". An iodine-containing preparation is injected into the duct, which allows you to see its structure, as well as the location of the stone.
The doctor may also order an ultrasound,which also allows you to locate the stone. It can be very small or very deep, making it difficult for the doctor to feel for it. Sometimes computed tomography of the gland is performed. Therefore, if you feel even a slight discomfort in the area of the salivary gland, you should consult a doctor.
Conservative treatment
If salivary stone disease occurs, treatment is most often carried out surgically. It is used only if conservative therapy has not brought any result.
The acute form of the disease requires immediate treatment. If it has become chronic, the course of therapy lasts about two weeks.
Conservative treatment includes:
- use of drugs that can increase the secretion of the salivary glands;
- conducting a course of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce temperature, reduce tissue swelling and relieve inflammation;
- antibacterial therapy;
- physiotherapy treatment.
In addition, conservative treatment includes eating, consisting of grated and crushed foods. It is also necessary to drink as much warm fruit drink or rosehip broth as possible to increase saliva flow.
Surgical treatment
If salivary stone disease, a photo of which can be seen in medical reference books, becomes chronic with exacerbations, there is a need for surgical treatment. Butfirst, doctors carry out galvanization of the salivary glands, which consists in the fact that the gland is exposed to an electric current of low power. Sometimes this is enough to eliminate the stones. If this fails, then surgery is already being carried out.
The operation has clear indications for its implementation:
- if, as a result of a purulent process, gland tissues begin to straighten out;
- there was a complete blockage of the salivary gland duct with pain.
Surgical treatment consists in first opening the duct, after which a drain is installed. The procedure is carried out under local anesthesia, an anesthetic drug is injected in several places 1-2 cm behind the stone. In parallel to the course of the duct, two ligatures are applied on both sides, which are used as "holders". Only after that the mucous membrane is cut across, then the duct is opened and the stone is removed. The wound is not sutured, but a drainage tube or tape is inserted. To prevent the inflammatory process, antibacterial drugs are injected into the area of the postoperative wound.
Salivary stone disease: treatment with folk remedies
The treatment of such a disease with the help of folk remedies is of an auxiliary nature and should be used in conjunction with traditional medicine.
The most common way is to use baking soda, a teaspoon of which is dissolved in a glass of warm water. Soak a cotton swab in this solution andwipe their mouth.
Rinse with solutions of medicinal herbs such as sage, chamomile and eucalyptus is considered to be a fairly effective method.
Features of the disease in children
Salivary stone disease in children is quite rare and usually occurs in those who have weak immunity, as well as congenital changes in the ducts of the salivary gland.
The treatment is complex and consists in removing the stone, removing the inflammatory process, using desensitizing, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory therapy and physiotherapy.
Conclusion
Salivary stone disease can be asymptomatic and does not interfere with life at all. But at the slightest manifestation of this disease, it is necessary to consult a doctor, because it often becomes chronic, and this already involves surgical treatment.
