Sialadenitis is an inflammation of glandular tissue. Most often, the disease affects the parotid glands, a little less often the sublingual and submandibular glands. It can develop in both adults and children. But each age group is characterized by a certain type of inflammation of the salivary gland; they all differ in both symptoms and treatment approach.
The most common pathologies of the salivary glands include:
Sialadenitis is an inflammation that develops when an infection penetrates into the gland or against the background of impaired salivation.
Mumps is an infectious disease caused by paramyxovirus that affects the central nervous system and glandular organs.
Etiology of the disease
The disease most often affects children, but sometimes adults also get it. The latter have a severe course of sialadenitis, especially in men.
Inflammation of the salivary gland occurs for various reasons under the influence of many factors, so the disease is classified as polyetiological. But one condition always precedes the pathological process - the presence of a pathogen, an infectious agent. In most cases, these are either viruses or bacteria.
The most common prerequisites for inflammation of the salivary glands:
any source of infection located in the mouth and ear; carriage of pathogenic or conditionally pathogenic microorganisms; tuberculosis, syphilis, HIV; metabolic disorders; any immunodeficiency conditions; scarlet fever, rubella, measles and other infectious pathologies; viral diseases such as influenza, cytomegalovirus; mycoses; pneumonia, bronchopneumonia; oncological diseases; benign lymphoreticulosis.
The most common mechanisms of transmission of this infectious disease are: airborne, contact, blood-contact, and single-gene.
Diseases of the salivary glands: types and symptoms
Different stages and types of inflammation of the salivary glands are characterized by different clinical signs.
Mumps or mumps
This type of viral inflammation of the salivary glands often occurs in children. It begins abruptly: against the backdrop of complete well-being. Occurs with an increase in body temperature to 40 °C.
Usually inflammation affects the parotid salivary glands , which is accompanied by symptoms such as swelling of the cheek and part of the neck on one or both sides (see photo), swelling of the neck, sharp throbbing pain that intensifies during eating, chewing, and opening the mouth.
Sialadenitis
Photo: inflammation of the salivary gland under the tongue
Symptoms of the disease differ depending on the location of the infectious lesion:
When the submandibular salivary gland becomes inflamed, the area under the chin swells. There is acute pain when swallowing, especially under the tongue, with pus discharge from the duct. Damage to the submandibular salivary gland is accompanied by lack of appetite, weakness and fever. Inflammation of the submandibular gland can be calculous in nature, that is, it occurs with the formation of stones. In this case, the duct becomes obstructed by a stone and becomes impassable. The cause of the pathological process is excess calcium in the human body. The following symptoms indicate that the gland under the jaw is inflamed: stabbing, paroxysmal pain while eating, when opening the mouth, enlargement of the organ, which is accompanied by swelling of the neck, discharge of pus, and an increase in temperature. Inflammation of the sublingual gland is extremely rare and is more often a complication of an abscess of odontogenic origin. Among the chronic forms, a special type of sialadenitis should be highlighted - dry Sjögren's syndrome. It is directly related to connective tissue pathology and autoimmune reaction. Sialodochitis is a lesion exclusively of the salivary ducts. It occurs more often in older people and is characterized by hypersalivation and the formation of cracks in the corners of the mouth.
Depending on the clinical picture and severity of the disease, the disease is divided into 3 main types: serous, purulent and gangrenous.
Serous sialadenitis
This stage of inflammation is characterized by a slight rise in temperature, dry mouth, swelling and slight thickening in the area of the ear canal and neck. Sometimes there is a slight feeling of fullness and pulsation.
Upon palpation, a person’s salivary glands will produce a small amount of secretion. At this stage, treatment at home is acceptable - this is the most favorable option for the course of sialadenitis.
Purulent sialadenitis
Manifests itself as a complication after serous. Accompanied by increased pain, asthenic syndrome, and autonomic dysfunction. Characterized by insomnia, which occurs against the background of elevated temperature.
When opening the mouth, the patient experiences severe pain, so chewing function is limited. There is hyperemia and severe swelling, spreading to the cheek area and lower jaw area. Regional lymph nodes become enlarged and pus is released into the oral cavity.
Gangrenous sialadenitis
If inflammation passes to this stage, the patients’ well-being deteriorates and they are in an extremely serious condition. There is a high risk of death due to sepsis. Melting and necrosis of tissue occurs, and an inflamed area of destruction is visible above the skin. The enlarged gland becomes an order of magnitude larger.
Treatment of inflammation of the salivary glands
It is necessary to treat sialadenitis only from a specialist, since improper treatment can contribute to the transition of the disease to a chronic form, occurring with periodic exacerbations.
If you consult a doctor in a timely manner, conservative therapy is usually sufficient. Treatment of uncomplicated forms of the disease is carried out on an outpatient basis.
Patients need bed rest and a balanced diet (food can be crushed a little if chewing and swallowing causes severe discomfort to the patient). To reduce intoxication of the body, it is recommended to drink plenty of warm drinks (juices, fruit drinks, rosehip decoction, tea, milk).
Local treatment is highly effective. It is recommended to apply warming dry bandages and absorbable alcohol-camphor compresses to the affected area. Patients are also prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures (UHF, Sollux).
To ensure a constant outflow of saliva from the gland, patients are recommended to have a salivary diet (before eating, you need to hold a thin slice of lemon in your mouth, you should also eat crackers, sauerkraut, cranberries and other acidic foods), as well as taking drugs that stimulate salivation (1% solution of pilocarpine hydrochloride ). This will help avoid stagnation of saliva in the gland, and also helps remove dead cells and bacteria from it. Depending on the course of the disease, the doctor decides at what point salivary stimulation can begin.
To reduce body temperature and reduce the intensity of pain, patients are allowed to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (analgin, Baralgin, Ibuprofen, Pentalgin, etc.), which have antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects.
If, despite symptomatic therapy, the patient’s condition continues to deteriorate, there is no improvement within 3 days, or there are signs of the development of a purulent process in the affected salivary gland, then patients are prescribed antibacterial therapy. In addition, surgical treatment may be necessary - opening and draining the salivary gland if there is a large amount of pus in it. In this case, antibacterial drugs are injected directly into the affected organ.
Treatment of chronic sialadenitis is a complex and lengthy process. During periods of exacerbation, patients are prescribed antibacterial therapy and agents that stimulate salivation. It has been proven that X-ray therapy is highly effective in the treatment of chronic sialadenitis. When stones form in the salivary glands (calculous sialadenitis), they are removed surgically.
What you can do at home
Treatment of inflammation of the salivary glands at home is acceptable, but only at the very initial stages of the disease or in combination with traditional methods of therapy. To avoid complications, you must consult a doctor .
To speed up recovery, you can drink and rinse your mouth with decoctions based on the following herbs:
chamomile; mint; raspberries; needles; eucalyptus; feverweed; sage; elder.
An excellent folk remedy for reducing pain and inflammation is aromatherapy with essential oils of fir, pine needles, eucalyptus and many other oils.
Symptoms of sialolithiasis. Causes of the disease and how to treat it
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Sialolithiasis (or salivary stone disease) is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation and the formation of stones in the ducts of the salivary glands.
The appearance of salivary stones (calculi) is caused by stagnant processes in the glands. Most often, the pathology affects the submandibular gland, much less often the parotid gland and, in rare cases, the sublingual salivary gland.
In most cases, sialolithiasis develops between the ages of 20 and 40 years. Moreover, men are more susceptible to it than women. And salivary stones found in patients consist of deposits of inorganic salts - calcium carbonate or phosphate. In rare cases, they contain iron, potassium, magnesium and sodium. When the process is advanced, the stones can reach the size of a chicken egg.
Causes of the disease
The direct causes of sialolithiasis have not yet been determined by science. However, there are a number of factors that can trigger the development of the pathological process. These include:
- disturbances in the functioning of the salivary glands;
- previous injuries to the glands;
- stagnation of salivary fluid due to individual characteristics of the jaw structure;
- disturbance of calcium metabolism in the body;
- vitamin A imbalance;
- increased blood clotting;
- the presence of fungal and infectious diseases - mumps, tuberculosis, syphilis.
Often the provoking factor is the presence of a foreign body in the salivary duct. A piece of toothbrush bristles, a crumb of cracker or a salt crystal in this case acts as a kind of “magnet” that attracts inorganic salts that form salivary stone.
Symptoms of sialolithiasis
The initial stage of the disease is characterized by a complete absence of symptoms. As the stone forms and increases in size, tingling pain and slight swelling in the area of the salivary glands may be present.
Further progression of the pathological process causes the appearance of pain, which intensifies during meals. In this case, the patient experiences a sharp increase in body temperature and a deterioration in general health. A particularly striking clinical picture is observed in the case of movement of salivary stones into the oral cavity.
Other signs of the disease include the following symptoms:
- presence of dryness and unpleasant taste in the mouth;
- bursting pain that intensifies during swallowing, opening the mouth and normal conversation;
- mild or severe swelling of the salivary glands;
- general weakness, chills and headaches.
Important to remember! Attentive attention to your own well-being, timely detection of the first symptoms of the disease and seeking help guarantee a successful cure for the disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
If during the initial examination the patient is found to have pain, a dense structure and an increase in the normal size of the salivary glands, then he is prescribed additional tests.
- Ultrasound, which helps to identify formed stones and their location.
- Computed sialotomography is a method that helps determine the presence and location of X-ray negative salivary stones.
- Contrast sialography, with which you can get a clear picture of the structure of the salivary ducts.
- Biochemical analysis of salivary fluid, thanks to which it is possible to establish the composition of inorganic salts that formed the stone and differentiate them from other diseases.
Additional research methods are prescribed by the attending physician.
Treatment of sialolithiasis
The choice of treatment methods directly depends on the stage of formation of salivary stones and the presence of exacerbation of the pathological process. Therapy includes surgery and the use of medications.
- Surgical intervention is carried out both at the stage of exacerbation of the process and during the chronic course of the disease. After removal of the stones, treatment is provided aimed at relieving the inflammation process and restoring the functions of the gland.
- Drug treatment involves the use of antibiotics and drugs that dissolve stones.
If during the study it was determined that the stones cannot be removed, then specialists carry out complete removal of the salivary gland along with the stone (extirpation).
Folk remedies for treating the disease</>
To treat sialolithiasis, traditional medicine suggests using the following methods.
- Pharmacy tincture of echinacea, which is diluted with boiled water at room temperature in a 1:1 ratio and used for compresses.
- A solution of baking soda, for which 1 tablespoon of soda is dissolved in 1 glass of warm boiled water and used for rinsing the mouth.
- Homemade ointment, for the preparation of which you mix 1 ampoule of Novocaine, 1 raw chicken egg, 1 teaspoon of honey and olive oil. The resulting mixture is applied to the inflamed areas 3 times a day for 7 days.
Important to remember! The use of traditional medicine is possible only at the initial stage of the inflammatory process! While slightly alleviating the manifestation of pain, it does not replace surgical intervention and drug therapy, for which it is necessary to contact specialized specialists. Otherwise, the development of the disease threatens a number of complications.
Possible complications of sialolithiasis
Untimely contact with specialists can provoke the development of complications of the disease - abscess of the soft tissues surrounding the area where the stone is located and the formation of external fistulas.
The prognosis of the disease, subject to timely and adequate treatment, is favorable.
Disease prevention
All preventive measures are aimed at eliminating possible factors that can cause the formation of salivary stones. These include:
- maintaining careful oral hygiene;
- rejection of bad habits;
- balanced diet rich in vitamins;
- timely treatment of fungal and infectious diseases.
If the first signs of sialolithiasis appear, you should immediately seek help from specialized specialists - a dentist and a surgeon.
Prevention
Preventing inflammation of the salivary gland is easier than treating it. To do this you need to follow only 4 rules:
sanitize the oral cavity, cure carious teeth, pharyngitis, tonsillitis; remove foci of infection, especially those located near the ear canal and throat; stimulate and strengthen the immune system; protect your body from stress and be less nervous. The acute process ends either with transition to chronicity or with recovery. Chronic sialadenitis is often complicated by atrophy, sclerosis and is difficult to treat. That is why it is so important to consult a doctor in a timely manner and not self-medicate.
