How to treat the salivary glands. Inflammation of the salivary glands: symptoms, treatment with physical factors

Described in this article) is most often localized near the ears. In this case, we are talking about a disease such as mumps. Much less often, the inflammatory process affects the glands located under the tongue or under the jaw.

Types of disease

What are the types of salivary gland disease? It should be noted that inflammation can become secondary and act as a layer on the underlying disease. Although the primary manifestation is often diagnosed, which occurs in isolation. In addition, the pathology can develop only on 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 or be the result of bacterial penetration.

How many salivary glands are there in the body?

There are three pairs of salivary glands.

The large salivary glands are located in front, below the ears. As already mentioned, their inflammation in medicine is called mumps.
The second pair are glands located under the jaw, below the teeth at the back.
The third pair are 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 oral cavity.

Symptoms

What are the symptoms of salivary gland disease?

Regardless of which pair of salivary glands the inflammatory process is localized, sialadenitis is characterized by a number of specific symptoms:

Dry mouth, which is caused by decreased saliva production.
The presence of shooting pain, localized in the gland that has become inflamed. Pain may spread 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 that has become inflamed.
The presence of an unpleasant taste and odor in the mouth, which is caused 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 at the site of inflammation.

As a rule, in the presence of the disease, body temperature rises to 40 degrees. In this case, asthenia and a feverish state are noted.

The most dangerous form of sialadenitis

Sialadenitis, the symptoms of which are varied, occurs in different forms. The most dangerous of the salivary glands is considered to be which is also called mumps. This virus is fraught with serious complications, since in addition to the salivary glands, it can also infect other glands, for example, mammary or reproductive 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 healthy people and urgently seek help from a specialist to clarify the diagnosis.

In the absence of timely treatment for diseases of the salivary glands, purulent complications may develop in the human body. If an acute abscess occurs in one of the salivary glands, the patient’s body temperature will certainly rise sharply.

As a rule, the general condition of a person is serious. Sometimes pus is released directly into the mouth. A fistula may also form, from which pus oozes onto the skin.

Carrying out diagnostics

With a disease such as sialadenitis, the symptoms of which are varied, diagnostics is required. Typically, an increase in the size and change in the shape of the salivary glands may be noted during a series of standard examinations performed by a physician or dentist. In addition, the patient may complain of pain. This happens if the disease has a bacterial basis. Often, with viral infections, for example mumps, pain may not bother you at all.

If a purulent process is suspected, the therapist may prescribe a CT scan or ultrasound.

Below is a list of standard diagnostic methods for mumps:

The use of computed tomography is a modern method that allows you to obtain clear images.
X-ray.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) provides high-quality images of the affected area using nuclear magnetic resonance.
Ultrasonography. This diagnosis is the most common way to detect damage to the salivary glands. It is carried out using ultrasonic waves and has minimal negative effects 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 basic hygiene, monitor the condition of the oral cavity, tonsils, gums and teeth.

If elementary diseases of a viral or cold nature occur, timely therapy should be carried out.

At the first signs of disruption of the salivary glands, you should irrigate the oral cavity with a solution of citric acid. This method makes it possible to free the salivary ducts in the most common and harmless way by provoking intense salivation.

Therapy methods

Inflammation should be treated by a specialist, since incorrectly chosen treatment 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.

If treatment is started in a timely manner, it is usually sufficient for patients to undergo conservative therapy. In some cases, therapy is performed 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 chewing. They need to eat crushed food to relieve discomfort.

To reduce the manifestations of such a process as inflammation of the parotid salivary gland, doctors advise drinking plenty of fluids. You can consume compotes, juices, herbal fruit drinks, rosehip decoction and even milk. Local treatment is highly effective.

Sometimes patients are indicated for certain physical procedures. For example, a UHF or Sollux lamp will be used.

To ensure the flow of saliva, it is recommended to follow a diet that promotes the flow 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 stagnation in the salivary glands and promotes the rapid removal of dead cells and bacterial breakdown products.

Depending on the progression of the disease, the doctor can decide when to begin 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 are used.

If the patient’s condition continues to worsen and specific signs of purulent lesions appear, then in this case they resort to the use of antibiotics.

Surgical intervention

Inflammation of the salivary glands, the symptoms of which we are currently studying the treatment, in some cases is eliminated by surgery. Surgery involves opening and subsequent drainage of the affected gland. This method is especially used for severe purulent processes. In such cases, medications are injected directly into the salivary gland.

Treatment of a disease that has taken a chronic form is considered a very long and complex process.

It should be noted that the chronic form can be either the result of an acute process or a primary manifestation. Often a protracted course is observed with rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren's syndrome and other pathologies.

The main forms of chronic nonspecific sialadenitis

The chronic nonspecific form is divided into the following types:

parenchymal;
interstitial, expressed in damage to 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). A secretion of a thick consistency, reminiscent of mucus, is released from the mouth of the duct. It tastes salty.

Diseases contributing to the development of sialadenitis

With various pathological processes in the body (diffuse damage to 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, a reactive proliferation of intermediate connective tissue occurs, which provokes the development of interstitial sialadenitis. This condition can occur with 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 lack of oral hygiene.

An important condition is the timely implementation of therapy. Otherwise, the disease can take a purulent form and even become chronic. In advanced forms, surgical intervention is indicated.

Inflammation of the salivary glands occurs in response to a viral or bacterial irritant. The medical name for this disease is sialadenitis or sialadenitis. Most often it affects the parotid, less often the sublingual and mandibular organs. As a result, the secretion of saliva is disrupted, the functioning of the digestive system appears, and difficulties arise when swallowing.

In the human oral cavity there are small ones, grouped on the surface of the tongue, lips, cheeks, palate, and three large ones:

submandibular;
sublingual gland;
parotid salivary gland.

They promote the production of saliva, which moisturizes the mucous membranes, teeth and is involved in the process of primary food processing. In addition, the parotid organ is responsible for internal secretion and participates in the metabolism of proteins and minerals.

With sialadenitis, organs are affected by infection as a result of the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into them. Reasons development of the disease are:

Distribution of bacteria: staphylococci, pneumococci, streptococci, Koch bacillus.
Penetration of viruses: influenza, mumps (mumps), cytomegalovirus.
Reproduction of fungi.
Oncological diseases.

Inflammation occurs against the background of infection.
Important! The risk of developing sialadenitis increases with dehydration, high prolonged temperature, hypercalcemia, injuries and blockages of the ducts, and operations on the digestive organs.

Symptoms

Inflammation of the salivary glands is accompanied by:

Increased temperature: from 37.5°C at an early stage to 40°C during complications.
Enlargement of affected organs.
Pain on palpation.
General weakness.
Unpleasant taste and dry mouth.
Hyperemia of the duct opening.
Pain when opening the mouth, chewing, talking, swallowing.
Formation of pus.
Blockage of the duct.
Formation of fistulas.

Lack of treatment can lead to serious complications.
Important! Lack of treatment leads to various complications: necrosis, encephalitis, meningitis, inflammation of the craniofacial nerves, damage to the urinary system, orchitis and infertility in boys.

Kinds

There are two forms of sialadenitis: acute and chronic. The first is always caused by infectious processes, the second develops as an independent disease due to the organ’s predisposition to pathological abnormalities.

Acute sialadenitis:

Chronic sialadenitis:

Treatment

If inflammation of the salivary glands and symptoms occur, treatment is carried out in a hospital. It is based on conservative therapy, rarely requiring surgical intervention. For acute and chronic forms, different approaches are used:

For acute mumps, interferon-based drugs, antipyretics and analgesics are prescribed.
Treatment of nonspecific sialadenitis is based on eliminating the source of inflammation and normalizing the functioning of the internal secretion organ. Prescribed:

a diet with high acidity to stimulate salivation;
antibiotics and antiseptics;
compresses from Dimexide solution (30%) once a day for half an hour;
physiotherapy: warming up, UHF;
with increased hyperemia - novocaine-penicillin blockade.

For purulent inflammation, surgery is performed.
Important! Surgery is necessary if purulent inflammation develops or the duct is blocked by a stone. In the first case, the cavity with pus is opened and its drainage is ensured; in the second, the stone is removed.

3. For chronic inflammation of the salivary gland, treatment during the period of exacerbation is the same as for acute forms. During remission the following are indicated:

- massage of the ducts with the introduction of antibiotics into them;
- novocaine blockades;
- galvanization once a day for a month;
- injection of “Iodolipol” into the internal secretion organ once every 3–4 months;
- intake of potassium iodide: 1 tbsp. l. three times a day for 4 weeks;
- X-ray therapy.

Important! If all therapeutic measures do not give a positive result, the salivary glands are removed.

Inflammation of the salivary gland occurs in acute or chronic form. It is provoked by infections, injuries and autoimmune pathologies. Treatment is usually based on conservative methods, and surgery is rarely used. Prevention of sialadenitis consists of compliance, strengthening the immune system, and timely elimination of infectious diseases

The human salivary glands are paired organs that play a significant role in the initial stages of food digestion, and also influence mineral and protein metabolism in the body.

Human salivary glands

There are three pairs of salivary glands:

parotid;
sublingual;
submandibular.

These glands produce up to two liters of oral fluid per day. It is very important for moisturizing the oral cavity and protecting against the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the mucous membrane, the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simpler forms, and the removal of certain medicinal substances.

Also, the parotid glands play the role of endocrine glands and influence mineral and protein metabolism, due to the presence of a hormone-like substance - parotinin - in their secretion.

Saliva helps correct articulation, the unimpeded passage of a bolus of food into the pharynx, improves the taste perception of food and increases the body's resistance to infections with the help of lysozyme.

A little anatomy: glands of the oral cavity.

Oral fluid contains proteins, more than 60 enzymes - amylase, mucin, glycoproteins, as well as immunoglobulins. In addition, salivary fluid contains phosphatase, which takes an active part in phosphorus-calcium metabolism and helps in the mineralization of bones and teeth.

Not only the qualitative but also the quantitative composition of saliva is very important for health. Low saliva production can cause various inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, demineralization of tooth enamel, and its excess production leads to dehydration and exhaustion of the body.

In addition to the large glands in the mouth, a person has many small salivary glands, which are grouped on the tongue, lips, cheeks, hard and soft palate. When any of the salivary glands becomes inflamed, the disease sialadenitis occurs.

Inflammation of the salivary glands

The most common etiological factors for the development of inflammation in the salivary glands are the penetration of an infectious agent through the ducts or hematogenously. Most often the parotid salivary gland becomes inflamed and then the disease is called mumps. Its infection occurs when the infection is introduced through the oral cavity, blood or lymph. Sometimes mumps can be caused by a foreign body in the ducts of the gland, such as stones. Let us consider in more detail the causes and symptoms of the development of parotitis.

Causes of inflammation of the parotid gland

The cause, as a rule, is an acute viral infection, which in most cases affects the parotid gland; extremely rarely the submandibular and sublingual glands become inflamed.

This disease belongs to the group of childhood diseases and often occurs in the form of epidemic outbreaks among preschool groups. Most often it is transmitted by airborne droplets, but there are cases of household infection with the virus. The main age of patients is 5-10 years.

A timely visit to the doctor can save you from many problems.

It rarely occurs in adults, but it is more difficult for them to tolerate and more often causes complications in various organs and systems. Men are primarily at risk, as the disease leads to infertility and testicular atrophy.

Clinical picture

From the moment of infection to the full clinical picture, it takes about 2.5 weeks.

The disease can manifest itself in mild, moderate and severe forms. There are also complicated and uncomplicated forms. During the first 9 days, a person remains infectious.

A mild form of the disease is characterized by:

minor impairment of general condition;
often the process is one-sided;
the gland is not very enlarged, a transparent secretion is released from it, it is almost painless on palpation;
on the affected side there is swelling, which is almost invisible from the outside.

All manifestations usually disappear within a week and do not cause any complications.

Moderate form of mumps

After the incubation period, a period of precursors begins, which lasts several days. During this period, headache and malaise gradually develop, and the temperature rises to low-grade levels. Weakness, aching joints, and muscle pain appear. Dryness appears in the mouth.

Mumps, although not considered fatal, the disease should not be neglected; fatal cases are known.

The inflammatory process affects both parotid glands, they swell, become painful to the touch, swelling of the neck appears, and one side is more enlarged. Due to swelling of the neck and glands, the patient's ears rise and resemble the ears of a pig. That is why the disease is popularly called “mumps”:

as the process develops, the body temperature rises, but it does not reach high numbers, but is limited to 38°C;
the oral cavity may be hyperemic, salivation is reduced;
after 4-5 days the clinical picture begins to subside and recession begins.

Severe form

The period of precursors has pronounced symptoms of a violation of the general condition: headaches, chills, weakness, loss of appetite, fever above 38°C, and symptoms of intoxication. The inflammatory process involves not only the area to which the parotid glands are located, but also the entire neck. In some cases, the swelling may reach the collarbone.

The parotid gland is very enlarged in size and painful on palpation. It strongly pushes the earlobe upward and forward, due to which the external auditory canal narrows. Swallowing and opening the mouth becomes difficult and painful.

When the remaining large salivary glands are involved, the swelling greatly increases the size of the neck. Against the background of these changes, phenomena often occur. The salivary duct of the parotid gland is well palpated in the form of a large cord. The secretion of saliva in the oral cavity is significantly reduced or completely stops.

With the development of purulent-necrotic processes in the lobules of the gland, pus may be released from the duct, and there is a high probability of developing an abscess. Severe mumps very often leads to serious complications. The most formidable of them are:

meningitis;
encephalitis;
damage to the cranial and spinal nerves;
damage to the auditory nerve;
various mental disorders;
infertility;
orchitis;
mastitis;
damage to the renal apparatus.

Most often, parotitis ends in complete recovery, but with insufficient or inadequate therapy, there can be deaths. In addition, inflammation of the salivary glands can be a result of influenza infection - the parotid gland is most often affected, but other salivary glands can also be involved in the process. Very often the process is bilateral; sometimes the parotid and submandibular glands can be affected on only one side. In addition to the basic clinical picture, there may be pain when moving the tongue, as well as an increase in the number of sublingual folds.

Postoperative and postinfectious sialadenitis most often affects the parotid glands. It can develop in any severe disease due to hematogenous or lymphogenous transfer. The cause of inflammation in the gland is usually bacteria, E. coli. This form of the disease is dangerous because in its extreme manifestation it can lead to the development of necrosis of the salivary gland or abscess of the retropharyngeal space. Also, occasionally purulent melting of the walls of blood vessels occurs and bleeding develops.

Inflammation can be caused by the presence of a foreign body embedded in the ducts of the salivary glands. Periodic enlargement of the salivary gland and a decrease in saliva secretion may be of concern. Gradually, the signs of inflammation subside and may not appear for a long time, then they appear again. This periodic course can last until the full picture of acute sialadenitis with purulent-inflammatory phenomena in the lobules of the gland develops. The inflammatory process often spreads to nearby soft tissues and other parotid glands. Spontaneous removal of an interfering foreign body is often observed. However, most often it is necessary to resort to surgical methods to eliminate the cause of the disease.

General principles of treatment of inflammation of the salivary glands

In uncomplicated cases with mild and moderate forms, treatment is usually symptomatic and aimed at preventing the development of complications. Mandatory measures include daily wet cleaning of the room with disinfectant solutions and ventilation.

The proverb “Cleanliness is the key to health” is especially relevant for diseases of the salivary glands.

It is recommended to rinse the mouth with soda solutions and citric acid, which helps increase salivation and flush out stagnant contents from the salivary glands. Peppermint also enhances salivation. Your diet should include foods that increase saliva production.

bed rest for periods of elevated temperature, especially this point applies to adult patients;
Warming salt or alcohol compresses and ointment dressings must be applied to the area of the inflamed gland;
Warming physiotherapeutic procedures are also indicated: UHF, Sollux;
It is recommended to rinse the mouth and irrigate with various antiseptics - Furacilin, eucalyptus, Chlorophyllipt, Chlorhexidine.

In severe complicated forms of sialadenitis, the use of antibacterial therapy is necessary. Its goal is to eliminate inflammation and restore normal functioning of the gland. 50 thousand units of benzylpenicillin and 100 thousand units of streptomycin with 0.5% procaine are injected through the duct into the salivary glands. Besides:

for analgesia, relief of inflammation and improvement of microcirculation, compresses with Dimexide are prescribed;
Physiotherapeutic procedures are also necessary: warming compresses, heating pads, UHF;
if the symptoms do not subside, intramuscular injections of antibiotics, sulfa drugs and hyposensitizing agents are prescribed;
sometimes they resort to active drainage of the salivary glands, which allows stagnant contents to be pumped out and signs of inflammation to be relieved.

In case of a necrotic course of the process, surgical intervention is indicated to open the capsule of the affected salivary gland and eliminate destructive processes. The prognosis of the disease is generally favorable.
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Sialadenitis is an inflammation of glandular tissue. Most often the disease affects the parotid glands, slightly less often sublingual and submandibular. 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.

Brief anatomical information

The salivary glands are located in the oral cavity and are responsible for the secretion of saliva. The large ones include three pairs: parotid, submandibular and sublingual. They have an irregular shape, dense consistency and are arranged in pairs. Their main functions are the secretion of hormones, filtration of the plasmatic part of the blood, and the removal of breakdown products.

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.

Inflammation usually 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 secretion in small quantities. 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.

Diagnostics

If a person has an inflamed salivary gland, they should immediately contact a clinic for professional help. Based on complaints, a thorough history and objective examination, the doctor will make the correct diagnosis and prescribe competent treatment.

The following types of laboratory tests are used for diagnosis:

cytological;
biochemical;
general blood analysis;
polymerase chain reaction;
gland biopsy;
microbiological;
immunological.

In addition, sialometry is used for functional diagnostics. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are used.

Acute sialadenitis is diagnosed through examination and medical history. For chronic cases, contrast sialography is required - an X-ray examination with a contrast agent.

Treatment

The tactics and treatment regimen for inflammation of the parotid, sublingual or other salivary gland has its own characteristics and is chosen by the doctor depending on the infectious agent.

Etiotropic treatment of sialadenitis caused by bacteria involves the prescription of antibacterial agents. Before prescribing antibiotics, be sure to do a bacterial culture from the focus where the microorganism is “active” and a test for sensitivity to the drug. You cannot take strong medications before taking these tests.
If mycosis is detected, it is recommended to take antifungal drugs, since antibiotics are powerless against fungus.
In case of viral genesis of the disease, antiviral drugs and interferon therapy are prescribed.
In case of a purulent inflammatory process, surgical treatment with subsequent sanitation of the lesion is indicated.
If narrowing occurs, the gland ducts are bougiened.
The calculous process is treated by removing stones through lithotripsy or lithoextraction.

In complex therapy, physiotherapeutic procedures are used, such as galvanization, UHF, electrophoresis, massage, and heating the affected area. Salt compresses are also effective, rinsing the mouth and ear canal with antiseptic solutions is very good. Antiseptics called Chlorhexidine and Furacillin inhibit the growth of bacteria.

The ideal option would be to use compresses using Dimexide. To relieve allergic reactions, the doctor prescribes antihistamines, for example, with names such as Loratadine, Cetrin.

The patient must strictly adhere to the rules of hygiene and follow a special diet with the consumption of liquid and boiled foods. It is forbidden to eat food that provokes salivation, very hot and too cold drinks and dishes, alcohol, and smoking.

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.

You can use a folk recipe with the addition of baking soda. To do this, you need to dissolve a tablespoon of soda in a glass of warm boiled water and treat the inflamed oral cavity with a cotton pad soaked in a soda solution several times a day after meals.

An excellent folk remedy for reducing pain and inflammation is aromatherapy with essential oils of fir, pine needles, eucalyptus and many other oils.

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.

Salivary glands are organs located in the oral cavity that produce saliva. They are localized on the mucous membrane of the cheeks, lips, palate, under the jaw, near the ears, behind the tongue.

But unfortunately, it often happens that they become inflamed and cause a lot of discomfort. Diseases of the salivary glands are a group of diseases that should not be ignored, because it is from them that the production of saliva begins and the digestion process begins.

Causes of inflammation

Diseases of the salivary glands can occur as a result of many reasons. The most common among them are:

viral or bacterial infection (causative agents of influenza, herpes, HIV infection, mumps, pneumonia, meningitis and others);
obstruction of the salivary ducts due to foreign objects or stones entering them;
improper or insufficient oral hygiene. Teeth damaged by caries, gum inflammation and irregular brushing promote the growth of bacteria and make the glands more vulnerable to foreign agents;
complications after surgery;
severe intoxication from heavy metal salts;
dehydration of the body;
exhausting diets poor in essential vitamins and minerals.

The most common diseases of the salivary glands

A branch of medicine, like dentistry, includes not only the treatment of diseases of the teeth and gums. It involves the treatment of all pathologies that have developed in the oral cavity and inflammation of the salivary glands, including. Below are the main diseases of the salivary glands, which dentists have to deal with most often.

Sialolithiasis

Salivary stone disease is a chronic disease characterized by the formation of stones in the ducts of the salivary glands. Most often the submandibular gland is affected, less often the parotid gland, and it is extremely rare to find damage to the sublingual gland.

The pathology is widespread among the male population and practically does not occur in children. Improper functioning of the salivary glands leads to stagnation of saliva in the duct. At this point, the salts precipitate and the formation of stones begins.

The stones consist of phosphate and calcium carbonate and contain sodium, iron and magnesium.

Stones can grow rapidly, and the size of dense formations sometimes reaches the size of a chicken egg. Symptoms of the pathology are swelling and hyperemia of the skin in the affected area, difficulty chewing, swallowing and talking, dryness of the oral mucosa, pain on palpation in the mouth and cheeks, unpleasant taste in the mouth, hyperthermia, deterioration in general condition, headache and weakness.

Treatment involves conservative (drugs that enhance the secretion of the salivary glands, relieve swelling and inflammation, antipyretic, analgesic, antibacterial) and surgical treatment.

Sialadenitis

Acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the salivary glands, occurring for various reasons (infectious diseases, injuries, developmental abnormalities). The disease most often occurs in children and people over 60 years of age. There are 3 types of sialadenitis: submandibular, sublingual and parotid.

In addition to pain in the ears, throat and nose, the following symptoms may include: increased body temperature, hyperemia and swelling of the skin in the ear area, unpleasant taste in the mouth (putrid breath), pain when pressing on the earlobe, impaired taste, dryness oral mucosa as a result of insufficient secretion of saliva.

In case of complications, duct stenosis, salivary fistulas, abscess, phlegmon of the parotid and submandibular zone may appear. Treatment of sialadenitis is carried out conservatively with the help of antibiotics, antiviral drugs, and physiotherapeutic procedures. In case of frequent recurrent course of the disease, complete removal of the salivary gland is recommended.

Salivary gland cyst

A formation that is formed as a result of a difficult or complete cessation of the outflow of saliva, a violation of the patency of the salivary ducts due to their blockage. The classification of the cyst is as follows: retention cyst of the small gland (56%), ranula, submandibular gland cyst, parotid gland cyst.

Most often it forms on the mucous membrane of the cheeks and lips. It is most often asymptomatic. Measures to combat cystic formation in any location do not involve conservative treatment. The best option is to remove the cyst along with the adjacent tissues and apply self-absorbing sutures.

Sjögren's syndrome

Dry syndrome is an autoimmune disease that affects the exocrine glands, as a result of which dry mucous membranes can be observed not only in the mouth, but also in the nose, eyes, vagina and other organs. The pathology is most often found among women after 40 years of age, often accompanied by diseases such as scleroderma, lupus, and periarteritis.

The first nonspecific signs of Sjögren's syndrome are dry mouth and eye pain, which is cutting and sharp when watching, for example, TV.

When examining the tongue, it is completely dry, it is impossible to swallow saliva, and there is a dry lump in the throat that causes discomfort.

As the disease progresses, photophobia, pain in the eyes, blurred vision, and degenerative changes appear. If you want to “squeeze out” a tear, nothing works, because there is no tear fluid. Two weeks after the onset of the disease, you may notice loosening of the teeth and loss of fillings.

Treatment includes taking glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressive cytostatics, and symptomatic therapy.

Tumors

Oncological diseases that rarely affect the salivary glands. Among all cancers, they make up only 0.5–1% of all cancer pathologies. Despite its rarity, salivary gland cancer poses a great danger, since the course of the disease is secretive and asymptomatic in the first stage.

Neoplasms occur 2 times more often in women after 50 years of age and tend to malignize and metastasize. As the tumor grows, swelling may appear in the localized area and a feeling of fullness from the inside. In later stages, discomfort, pain, and ulceration appear.

Treatment of neoplasms is exclusively surgical, followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Measures aimed at eliminating diseases are agreed upon by several doctors: dentist, surgeon, otolaryngologist.

Diagnostics

All patients who seek help from a specialist are required to undergo examination, palpation, questioning, and blood and urine testing for diagnostic purposes. Depending on the results obtained, the specialist may refer him for a comprehensive examination in a hospital setting.

Most often this happens if there is a history of diseases such as diabetes mellitus, pathologies of the thyroid and gonads, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, cardiovascular system, nervous and mental disorders and others. All of them can cause inflammation of the salivary glands or aggravate the course of the disease.

The probing procedure is carried out carefully, without using force, because the wall of the duct is very thin and does not have a muscle layer, so it can be easily damaged

To make a more accurate diagnosis, doctors prescribe the following procedures:

Probing the salivary gland ducts– carried out with a special salivary probe. Using this method, you can determine the direction of the duct, its narrowing, and stones in the duct.
X-ray of salivary ducts(sialography) is a diagnostic method aimed at introducing a contrast agent into the ducts and performing radiography. Using it, you can determine the expansion or narrowing of the ducts of the salivary glands, the clarity of the contours, the presence of stones, cysts and tumors, etc. The procedure is carried out using a syringe and can cause discomfort to the patient.
Sialometry is a method that determines the functional capacity of the small and large salivary glands. The procedure is performed on an empty stomach; you cannot brush your teeth, rinse your mouth, smoke, or chew gum. The patient takes 8 drops of 1% polycarpine orally, diluted in half a glass of water. After this, a special cannula is inserted into the gland duct and the secretions of the salivary glands are collected in a test tube for 20 minutes. After a certain time, the amount of saliva produced is assessed;
Cytological examination of saliva- a method that helps to identify inflammation and tumor diseases of the small and large salivary glands.

Preventive actions

To try to completely protect yourself from damage to the salivary glands, you need to follow simple rules: follow the rules of oral hygiene, monitor the condition of your teeth, gums and tonsils. If any viral or bacterial disease occurs, the necessary therapeutic measures should be carried out in a timely manner.

When the first signs of inflammation of the salivary glands are detected, it is necessary to rinse the mouth with a weak solution of citric acid. It promotes abundant saliva production and frees the ducts from the accumulation of infection or foreign bodies in them.