The salivary glands produce saliva to lubricate the mouth, protect the teeth from bacteria, and facilitate the digestion of food. What are the diseases of the salivary glands?
Diseases of the salivary glands cause many disturbing symptoms, most notably: dry mouth, swelling of the salivary glands, and fever. There are many diseases of the salivary glands.
Diseases of the salivary glands include the following:
1. Sialadenitis
It is a painful bacterial infection that can affect infants during the first weeks of their life, but it is more common in the elderly who suffer from salivary gland stones, and if the inflammation is left untreated, it may develop into a severe and acute infection, especially in the elderly and debilitated people.
2. Salivary gland cysts
They are small fluid-filled sacs that may be present in the parotid gland from birth due to disorders in the development of the ear, and can also affect the secondary or major salivary glands due to the presence of tumors in the salivary glands, salivary gland stones, or infection of the salivary glands.
3. Benign tumors
Benign tumors mostly affect the parotid gland, and these tumors appear in the form of a mass in the back of the jaw under the earlobe, and their growth is slow and does not cause any pain when touched.
4. Malignant neoplasms
Malignant carcinomas of the salivary glands are rare.
5. Sjogren’s syndrome
It is a chronic disease in which white cells attack the moist glands such as the salivary glands, the lacrimal glands, and sometimes the oil glands. Middle-aged women are most susceptible to this disease. It may also occur alongside lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, muscle inflammation, or scleroderma
6. Salivary gland enlargement
It is a painless enlargement of unknown cause that usually affects the parotid gland.
7. Salivary gland stones
These stones may be caused by the salts in the saliva, and are more common in people who are dehydrated or who take certain medications that reduce saliva production, and people with gout are more prone to salivary gland stones.
Causes of diseases of the salivary glands
The exact cause of salivary gland disease may be unknown, but there are some key factors, namely:
undereating
saliva dryness
Taking medications that reduce saliva secretion, blood medications, and antihistamines.
Symptoms of diseases of the salivary glands
Symptoms of salivary gland diseases are divided according to the disorder affecting the salivary glands, as follows:
Salivary gland inflammation: a painful swelling in the area under the chin or cheek, and secretions from the salivary duct to the mouth. In severe cases, the patient will have fever, general weakness and chills.
Cysts: A painless lump that may grow rapidly, sometimes affecting food intake.
Tumors: A slow-growing mass that may be painful at times, whether the tumor is caused by a malignant or benign tumor, and this mass may appear in different places, such as: the roof of the mouth, the cheek, on the tongue, and under the chin.
Sjögren’s syndrome: dry mouth, swollen salivary glands, and dry eyes.
Salivary gland hyperplasia: a painless tumor of the parotid gland on both sides of the face.
Salivary gland stones: a painful mass that may cause discomfort and pain when eating.
Treatment of diseases of the salivary glands
Treatment of salivary gland diseases depends on the cause, and in general, treatments include the following:
Treatment of salivary gland stones
Treatment of salivary gland stones is initially simple and includes warm compresses, manual removal of stones and eating sour candy to increase saliva production. If the patient does not respond to these treatments, he may need surgery to remove the stones.
Oncology treatment
Surgery is often required to remove benign or malignant tumors, and some benign tumors may be treated with radiation to prevent their appearance in the future, while some cancerous tumors may need chemotherapy and radiation.
Cystic treatment
Abscesses, especially large ones, may need surgery.
Treatment of other diseases of the salivary glands
Other salivary gland diseases can be treated with medication. Salivary gland infections are treated with antibiotics, and your doctor may prescribe medications for dry mouth.
