Inflammation of the salivary glands is a painful condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age or gender. Inflammation of the salivary glands may be bacterial or viral. What are the symptoms of salivary gland inflammation and how is it treated? What complications may arise?

Inflammation of the salivary glandsis a group of inflammatory diseases of the salivary glands of various etiology. The factors that cause inflammation of the salivary glands can be different, e.g. bacterial or viral infections. The factors predisposing to the development of salivary gland inflammation are poor general condition of the patient, poor oral hygiene, cavities, insufficient saliva production, immune deficiencies, kidney diseases, diabetes, etc.

Inflammation of the salivary glands - causes

The most common bacterial infection is a mixed bacterial flora from the oral cavity. In rare cases, there are specific inflammations caused by specific microbes, e.g. actinomycosis, tuberculosis or cat scratch disease. Among viral infections, mumps (otherwise known as common parotitis) is the most common, but the cause of inflammation may also be, for example, cytomegalovirus or even the influenza virus.

Often, bacterial infection of the salivary glands occurs in the course of salivary gland stones. Saliva stagnation creates ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria that stimulate the immune system to function. Bacterial infection occurs with microorganisms from the oral cavity, which reach the gland tissues through the salivary gland duct where they begin to develop excessively.

Inflammation of the salivary glands - types

There are several divisions of inflammation in the salivary glands. Inflammation of the salivary glands can be divided into:

  • primary salivary glands - this is the kind that develop in the salivary glands from the beginning.
  • secondary salivary gland inflammations - i.e. those that arise in the course of other diseases.

Another division takes into account the dynamics of the inflammatory process, distinguished in it:

  • acute inflammation is characterized by a sudden onset and a high intensity of symptoms;
  • chronic inflammation is most often a consequence of untreated acute inflammations, in their course the symptoms are less severe than in acute conditions, and sometimes they exacerbate, i.e.the patient's he alth deteriorates.
Worth knowing

The salivary glands (Latinglandulae salivales ), otherwise known as the salivary glands, are the external secretion organs that produce saliva. Every day a person produces about 1-1.5 liters of it. I think everyone associates the word "saliva" mainly with its function in food intake.

Indeed, one of the main functions of saliva is the formation of a food billet, but apart from that, it performs many other tasks, e.g. it is involved in the initial digestion of food (salivary amylase breaks down sugars), has a bactericidal effect or normalizes the pH in the cavity oral. The ions contained in saliva regulate the remineralization process, i.e. the phenomenon thanks to which the hard tissues of the teeth remain he althy.

Pathological conditions developing in the salivary glands cause disturbances in their functions, which may have tragic consequences for our body.

Inflammation of the salivary glands - symptoms

The main symptoms of salivary gland inflammation are pain and burning in the area of ​​the diseased gland. The diseased salivary gland is most often enlarged and tender to touch. Facial swelling and trismus may appear. Food intake is difficult. The skin over the diseased gland is reddened and warmed.

In the case of purulent infections, purulent content may be visible in the area of ​​the exit ducts and the patient will complain of an unpleasant taste in the mouth. Over time, general symptoms such as fever, malaise, chills, and other flu-like symptoms may appear.

Blood tests show leukocytosis, inflammatory markers are elevated. In the case of an abscess in the tissues of the salivary gland, the gagging symptom may not be palpable. This is due to a thick connective tissue bag surrounding the salivary gland, which makes it impossible to sense the characteristic fluid movement under pressure.

Inflammation of the parotid gland does not involve paralysis of the facial nerve. This symptom may indicate involvement of the salivary gland parenchyma by the neoplasm.

Mumps is a childhood disease that mainly affects the parotid glands. In rare cases, it may involve other salivary glands or the lacrimal gland. The virus hatching period is approximately 2-3 weeks. Initially, symptoms appear: general malaise, increased body temperature, and muscle pain. Gradually, there is a painful enlargement of one and then both of the salivary glands. These symptoms are accompanied by disturbed salivation, manifested by dry mouth (xerostomia).

Worth knowing

What is inflammation?

In the place where the damaging stimulus acts on the human bodyinflammation develops. A pathological stimulus acting on the human body triggers a cascade of events aimed at neutralizing the damaging factor, and then repairing the damage caused.

The cells of the immune system produce a whole group of chemicals, the so-called inflammatory reaction mediators, they cause changes in the physiology of tissues and organs. As a result of their action, the main symptoms of inflammation develop. At the site of the injury, there is swelling, redness, and an increase in the temperature of the tissues. Accompanying symptoms are pain and impairment of tissue function. These are the classic symptoms of inflammation.

Inflammation of the salivary glands - treatment

Depending on the cause, appropriate treatment is implemented. Bacterial infections require the use of an antibiotic and correction of the patient's general condition. The use of salivary medications may be helpful. The patient is obliged to maintain proper oral hygiene and consume plenty of fluids.

If a thorough clinical examination shows the development of an abscess, it is necessary to introduce surgical treatment. The abscess should be incised or punctured, and then fitted with a drain, so that the purulent contents can drain freely. In the case of urolithiasis complicated by bacterial infection, it is necessary to remove the cause, i.e. the salivary stone and antibiotic therapy. A similar rule applies to secondary inflammations. It is necessary to fight the cause, i.e. the main disease, which resulted in the pathology of the salivary glands.

The treatment of mumps is conservative. It consists of administering painkillers and antipyretic drugs. Warm, dry compresses and salivary medications are also recommended. Adequate hydration of the patient and adequate rest are of great importance. Isolation of the sick person is advisable. The course of mumps may lead to serious complications such as meningitis, testicular inflammation, or pancreatitis.

Probe

Category:

Dentistry and Orthodontics