Inflammation of the salivary glands. What causes inflammation of the salivary gland and how to treat sialadenitis

In the human body, the salivary glands perform an important function - they produce a special secret, i.e. saliva. It enters the oral cavity through the ducts, ensuring proper and efficient digestion.

Saliva prepares food for entry into the stomach and aids in swallowing it by softening the solids.

If at least one of them "fails" under the influence of infection, then the performance of this function of saliva is partially impaired, food is swallowed with difficulty, which worsens the quality of human life.

Scientifically, inflammation of the salivary glands is called sialadenitis. The average person has three paired salivary glands:

1. 1.The largest, located just below the auricle and in its front part - parotid gland(her inflammation received a separate name - mumps)
2. 2.Located directly under the lower jaw in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe back teeth - submandibular gland
3. 3.Located on the surface of the bottom of the oral cavity, and on both sides relative to the base of the tongue - sublingual gland

Any of them can be affected by an inflammatory process, but most often a disease of the parotid salivary glands is detected, and the rest of the cases are evenly divided between the submandibular and sublingual.

Sialoadenitis usually occurs against the background of some concomitant disease or as a complication, but there are also so-called isolated cases when the symptoms appear unexpectedly, but nothing else worries. The causative agent of the disease can be both pathogenic bacteria and a viral infection.

The glands can become inflamed both on one side and on both at once: then they talk about bilateral sialadenitis. Multiple lesions of the salivary glands occur extremely rarely and only in advanced cases.

Causes of inflammation of the salivary glands

Doctors distinguish four main reasons due to which a person can get sick with sialadenitis:

1. Viral infection or bacteria. Airborne pathogen enters the human body, which leads to a significant increase in the size of the gland and painful inflammation. An example is a disease such as mumps, most often diagnosed in young children.
2. Violation of the patency of the salivary ducts. It occurs when they are damaged or injured, a foreign body enters, as well as with the development of such a rare disease as sialolithiasis (stone formation).
3. Poor oral hygiene. Irregular visits to the dental office and poor-quality cleaning of the teeth can lead to the fact that the salivary ducts become a gateway for infection.
4. Complications. Sialoadenitis can occur after surgery or diseases such as typhus, pneumonia, encephalitis, or heavy metal poisoning.

Primary inflammation is usually caused by infection, and secondary - by bacteria, fungi. The methods of penetration are different: from stomatogenic (through the ducts), to lymphogenous (through the lymph) or hematogenous (through the blood).

Symptoms of inflammation of the salivary glands

Regardless of which salivary gland is inflamed, sialadenitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

1. - Severe dry mouth due to reduced saliva production
2. - Pain of a shooting nature, felt by the patient directly in the infection zone, radiating to the ear or oral cavity
3. - Unpleasant sensations and pain when opening the mouth, chewing food and swallowing it
4. - Hyperemia of the area of ​​the affected salivary gland, redness of the skin
5. The appearance of bad breath or foreign taste, suppuration at the location of the glands
6. - Detection of a dense mass on palpation
7. - Feeling of pressure at the site of inflammation, which indicates the accumulation of purulent masses
8. - Weakness, fever and fever up to 39 degrees

Complications of the disease

The most serious recognized inflammation of the parotid gland or mumps, which people also call mumps. The danger lies in the fact that during the course of the disease other glands, for example, the genital or pancreas, may be affected. Due to the fact that the disease is contagious, contact with infected people should be avoided and a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible to receive appropriate treatment.

If this is not done, then complications of varying severity will appear:

1. 1.The formation of multiple abscesses both in the area of ​​​​inflammation and nearby
2. 2.Severe fever, exhausting fever
3. 3.Breakthrough of abscesses in the oral cavity
4. 4.Blood poisoning or abscess
5. 5.The appearance of fistulas that bring pus to the surface
6. 6.Phlegmon of the floor of the mouth
7. 7.Meningitis, nerve damage
8. 8.Necrosis of the salivary gland
9. 9.Orchitis (and further - atrophy)

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnosis is carried out by a therapist or dentist, who, upon examination, find enlarged salivary glands. Based on the patient's complaints about the soreness of the gland area and pressure in this area and based on the results of the examination, this diagnosis is made. If an abscess is suspected, a CT scan or ultrasound is performed.

Treatment of inflammation of the salivary glands

Sialoadenitis often becomes chronic, which is resistant to most drugs, so treatment should be trusted by a professional doctor. If the inflammation is noticed on time, then the usual conservative treatment will be enough to recover in a couple of weeks.

Treatment for uncomplicated forms of sialadenitis takes place either at home or in a hospital, for example, special UHF physiotherapy is prescribed. At home, you can get by with alcohol compresses.

In the first days of treatment, bed rest is indicated. Since the patient needs a vitamin-rich and balanced diet, the food will have to be chopped, since in its usual form the pain will prevent it from being swallowed normally and the meal will only bring discomfort.

The appearance of inflammation in the body always goes along with intoxication, so it is recommended to drink plenty of fluids.. It can be anything (juices, nectars, decoctions of medicinal herbs), there are no restrictions in this aspect.

For regular salivation from the affected gland, it is advised to hold a freshly cut slice of lemon or other citrus fruit in your mouth for some time. In addition, foods such as sauerkraut and sour berries (cranberries, currants) are salivary. Together with saliva, decay products of bacteria will also be removed, which will accelerate regeneration.

To save the patient from pain, the doctor prescribes painkillers such as Novocaine, as well as drugs directly against inflammation, such as Ibuprofen. With a strong increase in body temperature, antipyretics are prescribed. A weekly course of injections of a solution of taktivin, which is an immunomodulator, is also prescribed..

If abscess formation or phlegmon formation is suspected, strong antibiotic therapy is carried out. If no improvement occurs within three days, then the patient is placed on the operating table, where the gland is dissected and drained.

Prevention of inflammation of the salivary glands

It is necessary to carefully monitor oral hygiene, avoid hypothermia and not contact with patients who have already been diagnosed with inflammation of the parotid, sublingual or submandibular glands.

Photos of the disease

Photo of a disease of the salivary glands.

Inflammation of the parotid salivary gland is called sialadenitis. The cause of the development of pathology is an inflammatory process that captures internal tissues. Most often, sialadenitis of the parotid salivary gland is diagnosed, sublingual and submandibular are affected much less frequently.

Varieties of inflammation

Depending on the infectious agency, two types of sialadenitis are distinguished. It:

• viral;
• bacterial.

Viral sialadenitis

The disease is formed as a result of the penetration of the mumps virus into the human body. The disease is known as "mumps". Transmission is carried out by airborne droplets. After entering the body, the virus penetrates into the tissues of the parotid salivary gland, causing inflammation. With a generalized form of parotitis in men, the testicles are affected, which in the future can cause infertility.

Important! In some cases, viral sialadenitis develops against the background of cytomegalovirus infection.

Bacterial (nonspecific) sialadenitis

It is formed as a result of the introduction of infection through the oral cavity. Provoking factors can be:

• Poor oral hygiene.
• Reactive obturation. The resulting narrowing of the duct causes a reduced volume of saliva secreted. The accumulated secret becomes a convenient environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora, which is constantly present in the oral cavity.
• Mechanical obturation. It develops as a result of overlapping of the lumen of the duct. In the collected saliva, pathogens actively multiply, causing inflammation.

The bacterial form of sialadenitis develops as a result of infection of the ducts of the oral cavity.

The second variant of infection penetration is through the blood. The cause may be severe infectious pathologies, in particular, scarlet fever. The third route of infection of the salivary gland is through the lymph. The cause is inflammatory pathologies of the face, oral mucosa and pharynx. To be honest, periodontitis, furunculosis or tonsillitis.

The chronic form of sialadenitis develops as an independent disease. The reasons may lie at the genetic level. Sometimes inflammation is a response to an autoimmune pathology or some general disease. Quite often, a chronic form of inflammation is recorded in the category of elderly patients, which is due to a deterioration in the blood supply to the organ.

Symptoms of inflammation of the salivary glands

The general symptoms of the disease are as follows:

• dryness of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, due to a lack of salivary fluid;
• shooting pains;
• soreness accompanying chewing, swallowing food and opening the mouth;
• swelling and hyperemia of the skin in the projection of the salivary gland;
• unpleasant taste of saliva;
• the appearance of purulent contents is possible;
• painful formation in the area of ​​​​inflammation;
• a feeling of fullness, which indicates the accumulation of pus;
• increased body temperature and weakness.

The most severe inflammation of the parotid salivary gland, provoked by the entry of the mumps virus into the body

Of particular danger is the "mumps" - mumps - since other glands of the body, for example, pancreas, can be involved in the pathological process. Symptoms of inflammation are: an acute onset with an increase in body temperature up to 39-40 degrees, swelling in the area of ​​the parotid salivary gland, pain syndrome, which increases during chewing.

Acute sialoadenitis of the parotid salivary gland takes place in several stages, each of which is accompanied by certain symptoms.

• Serous sialadenitis. For him, dryness of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, soreness in the ear area, and the development of slight swelling are typical. The lobe is slightly elevated. Increased pain is fixed during eating. The increase in body temperature is insignificant.
• Purulent stage. Characterized by increased pain. There is an increase in body temperature over 38 degrees, increased swelling, restriction when opening the mouth. When pressing on the area of ​​​​inflammation, purulent masses are poured out. The gland is dense, painful.
• gangrenous inflammation. An abscess forms over the inflamed gland, which serves as an outlet for dead tissues.

In the absence of an adequate state of drug therapy, a lethal outcome due to the development of sepsis is not excluded. The cause may be internal bleeding caused by the melting of the walls of the large blood vessels of the neck.

Symptoms of chronic inflammation depend on the current form of the disease:

• Chronic interstitial sialadenitis. Most often it develops in the parotid glands (about 85%). It is diagnosed in most cases in elderly patients. For a long time it is asymptomatic. The development of the clinical picture is due to the deterioration of the condition caused by the narrowing of the ductal lumen. A sign of exacerbation is the appearance of a feeling of dryness in the mouth and an increase in the size of the gland. It becomes painful when touched.
• Chronic parenchymal sialadenitis. They mostly affect women. In the initial stage of development, when pressing on the gland, a significant volume of a salty-tasting liquid is released. Later, a feeling of heaviness, compaction is formed. It is not excluded the allocation of saliva with impurities of pus and mucous lumps. In the later stages of the gland is painless, bumpy, there is a discharge of pus.
• Sialodochitis - inflammation of the ducts. A typical symptom is an increased production of salivary fluid during eating and talking, as well as the formation of a jam in the corners of the mouth. During the period of exacerbation of the pathology, impurities of pus are present in the saliva, the gland becomes swollen and dense.

Diagnostics

Acute sialadenitis is diagnosed by examining the patient and collecting existing complaints. The sialography procedure is used in rare cases, since the introduction of a contrast agent causes an increase in pain.

Differential diagnosis is necessary for the correct choice of treatment method

Contrast sialography is used to confirm chronic sialadenitis of the parotid salivary gland. It allows you to determine the current form of pathology. For the interstitial form of inflammation, a narrowing of the lumen of the duct is typical. At the same time, the volume of the contrast agent that has penetrated into the tissues of the gland does not exceed 0.8 ml.

A healthy organ holds approximately 2-3 ml. In the parenchymal format of sialoadenitis, numerous cavities up to 10 mm in diameter are fixed. The tissues of the gland and the ducts themselves are not determined. The capacity of the cavities is 6...8 ml of contrast.

Treatment of the disease

Treatment of sialadenitis should be carried out by a specialist. Incorrectly selected therapy can cause complications. Uncomplicated forms of inflammation are treated on an outpatient basis (at home). The patient will be advised:

• compliance with bed rest;
• sparing diet - food should be crushed, which reduces pain when swallowing and chewing;
• drinking plenty of water helps to relieve the symptoms of intoxication.

Topical treatment gives excellent results. Any dry bandage with a warming effect can be applied to the area of ​​​​the inflamed parotid salivary gland. Good compresses based on alcohol and camphor oil. In addition, the patient will be recommended to visit a physiotherapy room. Most often, UHF and Sollux procedures are prescribed.

To ensure the outflow of saliva from the inflamed gland, artificial stimulation is necessary. Any products with a sour taste, for example, lemon wedges, cranberries, sauerkraut, help well with this. The body, in response to irritation of the taste buds, automatically increases the production of saliva.

In order to activate the process of salivation, you can use medications, in particular, a solution of pilocarpine hydrochloride. From what point the patient should stimulate the secretion of saliva will be decided by the attending physician, based on the current symptoms.

Important! Stimulation of saliva secretion helps to avoid its stagnation and promotes the removal of dead tissue cells from the inflamed gland.

With an increase in body temperature and the removal of pain that accompanies sialadenitis, the patient is allowed to take drugs from the NSAID group - Analgin, Pentalgin, Baralgin, Ibuprofen and others. Means have analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effect.

In the absence of a therapeutic result and a deterioration in general well-being - within 3 days there are no improvements - or the appearance of signs of suppuration of the gland, the patient is prescribed antibiotics.

If necessary, surgical therapy is carried out: opening and drainage of the inflamed gland, in the presence of a significant amount of purulent masses. Antibacterial drugs are injected directly into the focus of inflammation.

With the development of suppuration, the patient is recommended surgical treatment - opening and draining the gland

Treatment of inflammation of the parotid salivary gland is a long and complex process. With an exacerbation, the patient is prescribed drugs from the group of antibiotics and medications that stimulate the production and discharge of saliva.

A good therapeutic result in the chronic form of sialoadenitis is shown by x-ray therapy. When diagnosing stones in the ducts of the gland - the calculous form of sialadenitis - surgical treatment is prescribed.

Prevention of the development of sialoadenitis

Specific prevention - the introduction of a specialized vaccine - sialoadenitis does not exist. The exception is epidemic parotitis. Vaccination is carried out with a three-component drug that is effective against three diseases at once - mumps, measles and rubella. Vaccination is given to all children at the age of 1.5 years. Persistent immunity is produced in approximately 96% of vaccinated babies.

Non-specific prophylaxis is as follows:

• regular oral hygiene;
• sanitation of all foci of inflammation in the mouth;
• prevention of stagnation of saliva;
• rinsing the mouth during infectious pathologies.

To treat inflammation of the parotid salivary gland is carried out by a dentist. If there are signs of the development of mumps, then the child should be shown to the pediatrician. Adult patients in this case turn to a therapist.

Even a small child knows that saliva is secreted in our mouth, it is needed to process food. But which organs synthesize this secret, only a few adults know, which is very sad. The glands that produce saliva can become inflamed, making swallowing difficult, uncomfortable, and painful. Find out what symptoms accompany inflammation of the salivary glands and how this ailment is treated.

What is sialadenitis

By studying anatomy, you can find out that in the jaw of each person there are three pairs of salivary glands and a large number of small salivary ducts. Due to various inflammatory processes, the work of the glands can be disrupted. This inflammation in medicine is called sialadenitis. The disease often occurs as a complication to the underlying disease. More often, one gland becomes inflamed, but with a neglected form, multiple lesions are possible.

Symptoms of inflammation of the salivary gland

Common signs of the inflammatory process of the salivary glands, regardless of their location, are:

• pain in the region of the root of the tongue when swallowing or chewing;
• swelling of the face or neck in the affected area;
• high body temperature (39-40 degrees);
• taste disturbance.

After some time, other symptoms of sialadenitis occur, which depend on the type of salivary gland. In the photo you can see the symptoms of sialadenitis.

parotid

The parotid glands are the largest, each weighing 20 to 30 g. They are located in the face between the cheekbone and the lower jaw. The first signs of the disease appear 7-10 days after infection and are accompanied by headache, fever, and general weakness. The main symptom of inflammation is the appearance of swelling (which increases rapidly) in the area near the ear. The patient feels severe discomfort, pain while eating; as a result, appetite is reduced, and intestinal disorders may begin.

Submandibular

This type of gland is located just below the back teeth, under the jaw, is small, the mass of each organ is 14-16 g. slime. As a result, secretion production may stop completely. Since the outflow of saliva is slowed down, the submandibular salivary gland increases during meals, then decreases.

sublingual

The salivary glands are located under the oral mucosa, on both sides of the tongue. They are the smallest of the three pairs, each organ weighs no more than 5 g. Often, inflammation under the tongue occurs simultaneously with inflammation of the submandibular gland. The disease is accompanied by an unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth, a violation of taste, swelling of the tongue and a feeling of a painful swelling under it, pain when opening the mouth.

Causes of inflammation

To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to find out the factors that cause pathology. The main reasons include:

• penetration into the ducts of the salivary glands of a viral infection (with pneumonia, influenza);
• damage to organs that produce saliva, bacteria (pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci); as a result, immunity decreases;
• operation;
• injuries and blockages of the ducts due to the ingress of foreign bodies (hair, toothbrush villi, fruit peels) into them;
• weakened immunity.

Salivary stone disease

This inflammation is characterized by the formation of stones in the salivary ducts. Often, salivary stone disease occurs in the ducts of the sublingual and submandibular glands. The causes of the pathology can be:

• the consequence of mechanical impact on the organ, its injury;
• congenital anatomical features of the structure of the salivary ducts, which lead to stagnation of saliva and the formation of stones;
• excess or lack of vitamin A in the body;
• violation of calcium metabolism.

Blockage of the salivary gland

Stagnation or blockage of the normal flow of saliva occurs in the large glands (submandibular, parotid). The disease is accompanied by painful sensations during meals. Factors that provoke blockage of the gland are:

• dehydration;
• malnutrition;
• damage to organs that produce saliva;
• stone in the salivary gland;
• taking certain psychotropic and antihistamine medications.

Crayfish

This pathology occurs very rarely and is little studied in medicine. Cancer often affects men and women over 50 years of age. At an early stage, the disease proceeds without symptoms, after a while the malignant tumor begins to grow and becomes noticeable. If not detected in time, the prognosis of treatment may be unfavorable. The exact causes of these malignancies have not been determined. It is believed that people who have an injury to the salivary glands or who abuse smoking are at risk.

Cyst

A cystic benign neoplasm often occurs on the mucous membrane of the cheeks and lower lip, sometimes it can appear on the tongue. Causes of cyst development include:

• mechanical damage, trauma;
• non-compliance with oral hygiene;
• bad habits and malnutrition;
• the formation of scars that narrow the salivary canal;
• infections affecting the mouth and teeth.

Other diseases of the salivary glands

Other common diseases in which the gland becomes inflamed include:

• mumps (mumps) - an infectious disease;
• benign (pleomorphic adenoma and Wartin's tumor) and malignant (adenocarcinoma, adenoid cystic cancer) tumors;
• xerodermatosis or Sjögren's syndrome;
• flu-like scaling;
• calculous sialadenitis;
• acute sialadenitis;
• cytomegaly.

Treatment

1. For acute lesions, antibiotics are prescribed.
2. If there are purulent accumulations, then surgical intervention is recommended. It is necessary to make incisions and carry out the removal of pus.
3. In chronic inflammation, complex treatment is necessary, including a diet to increase salivation, immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory therapy.
4. At the initial stages of the disease, conservative therapy is used and, as an addition to it, treatment with folk remedies (rinsing solutions, decoctions, infusions). For rinsing the mouth, you can use citric acid and soda solutions.

To determine the type of disease, the doctor may prescribe the following diagnostic methods:

• CT scan;
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging);
• Ultrasound of the salivary glands.

Which doctor to contact

Many do not know which doctor treats sialadenitis. The first step is to make sure you don't have mumps (mumps). An infectious disease specialist diagnoses this viral disease. Treatment of other inflammations of the salivary glands is carried out by a dentist or therapist. In case of complications or accumulation of pus, the formation of stones in the salivary ducts, surgical intervention is necessary, which will be performed by the surgeon.

Salivary Gland Tumor Video

Inflammation of the salivary glands is called sialadenitis. Any salivary gland can become inflamed. Most often, an inflammatory process is detected in the parotid glands (), the sublingual and submandibular glands become inflamed much less often. Usually the disease occurs secondarily, as a complication or symptom of another disease, but there is also a primary form of the disease. The inflammatory process can be both unilateral and bilateral; multiple lesions of the salivary glands are rare. The nature of the disease can be both viral and bacterial.

Symptoms of inflammation of the salivary glands

Regardless of which gland is inflamed, sialadenitis has the following symptoms:

• dry mouth associated with a decrease in the amount of saliva;
• shooting pain in the area of ​​the affected gland, radiating to the ear, neck and mouth;
• pain when chewing and swallowing food, as well as when opening the mouth;
• swelling and redness of the skin in the projection of the inflamed salivary gland;
• unpleasant taste in the mouth, pus may appear;
• in the area of ​​​​inflammation, you can feel a dense painful formation;
• a feeling of fullness, pressure in the area of ​​the affected gland may indicate the accumulation of pus in it;
• fever up to 39 C, weakness.

A particularly dangerous form of sialadenitis is mumps, often called mumps. The disease is dangerous because the virus that causes it can affect other glands of the body (mammary, genital, pancreas). In addition, mumps is a contagious disease, therefore, if signs of inflammation of the salivary glands appear, the patient must limit contact with healthy people and consult a doctor to clarify the diagnosis.

In the absence of treatment, purulent complications of the disease may develop. When an abscess of the salivary gland occurs, the patient's body temperature rises sharply, the general condition worsens. A breakthrough of the abscess is possible either into the oral cavity, or a fistula is formed on the surface of the skin.

Treatment of inflammation of the salivary glands

It is necessary to treat sialadenitis only with a specialist, since improper treatment can contribute to the transition of the disease to a chronic form, occurring with periodic exacerbations.

With timely access to a doctor, conservative therapy is usually sufficient. Treatment of uncomplicated forms of the disease is carried out on an outpatient basis.

Patients need bed rest, a balanced diet (food can be chopped a little if chewing and swallowing gives the patient severe discomfort). To reduce intoxication of the body, a plentiful warm drink is recommended (juices, fruit drinks, rosehip broth, tea, milk).

Topical treatment is highly effective. It is recommended to apply warming dry dressings and absorbable alcohol-camphor compresses to the affected area. Also, patients are prescribed physiotherapy procedures (UHF, Sollux).

To ensure a constant outflow of saliva from the gland, patients are recommended 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 to avoid stagnation of saliva in the gland, and also helps to remove dead cells and bacteria from it. Depending on the course of the disease, the doctor decides at what point it is possible to start stimulating salivation.

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 the ongoing symptomatic therapy, the patient's condition continues to worsen, 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 antibiotic therapy. In addition, surgical treatment may be needed - 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 exacerbations, patients are prescribed antibiotic 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 surgically removed.

Which doctor to contact

Sialoadenitis is treated by a dentist. When signs of epidemic parotitis appear, the patient is referred to a pediatrician or infectious disease specialist. In severe cases, the assistance of a surgeon is required to open the formed abscess or remove stones.

Inflammation of the salivary gland is the common name for the disease, which is correctly called sialadenitis. The chronic form causes dangerous complications. In addition to pain, it provokes swelling of the cheek or lower jaw, fever and can lead to the formation of an abscess and stenosis of the salivary ducts. How to prevent the onset of the disease and treat diseases of the salivary glands?

Location of salivary glands: anatomy

Modern anatomy distinguishes 3 pairs of glands:

1. sublingual - located under the mucous membrane at the base of the tongue;
2. submandibular - located in the checkered space (the upper part of the neck directly under the lower jaw);
3. parotid - lie directly under the skin on the lateral surface of the lower jaw, in front of the earlobe.

The excretory ducts of the sublingual and submandibular salivary glands open under the tongue, where the sublingual papilla is located, and the parotid - in the region of the upper molar. Minor salivary glands are numerous. They are located in the oral mucosa. These are molar, buccal, lingual, palatine and labial.

Functions of the glands

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The salivary glands produce 2 liters of saliva per day. Salivary fluid performs several functions:

1. Digestive. Saliva is necessary for the formation of a food bolus.
2. Protective. The salivary glands produce the substance lysozyme, due to which saliva has antibacterial properties. Saliva moistens the oral cavity, protecting the mucous membrane from mechanical damage.
3. Mineralizing. Saliva supplies the enamel of the teeth with calcium, phosphorus and other useful substances.

Typical symptoms of inflammation

In severe cases, inflammation of the major salivary glands becomes chronic. Such a disease is less treatable and remains with a person for life. Modern medicine distinguishes several types of chronic sialadenitis:

Methods for diagnosing sialadenitis

Diagnosing acute sialadenitis is usually not difficult. Due to the vivid symptoms, the patient is able to recognize any form of the disease without outside help.

At the first signs of the disease, you need to contact the clinic, because only a doctor can understand what kind of salivary gland tumor the patient suffers from and prescribe an effective treatment. Without adequate therapy, there is a chance of developing a salivary gland abscess.

At home

You can check for acute sialadenitis at home. A sure sign of the onset of inflammation of the salivary glands is pain and swelling in the region of the cheeks or lower jaw (see also:). With inflammation of the duct of the parotid salivary gland, the pain radiates to the temple or ear, resembling sensations with tonsillitis or laryngitis. When an abscess of the salivary gland forms, the pain will be acute.

There is also an increase in the salivary gland. Influenza patients may develop influenza sialadenitis. If a salivary gland abscess has formed, the patient will experience an unpleasant taste in the mouth. If these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. The duration of treatment largely depends on how much time has passed since the onset of the pathological process.

In a medical facility

First, an examination is made with palpation of the large salivary glands. If the patient experiences pain during this, then an abscess can be suspected. Then a laboratory study of saliva and a biopsy of the salivary gland are carried out. Also, the doctor may prescribe a hardware examination:

1. Ultrasound of the salivary gland;
2. sialoscintigraphy;
3. sialography - x-ray with a contrast agent;
4. computed sialotomography.

To diagnose the acute form of sialadenitis, it is enough to examine the patient. Sialography is not used, because due to the introduction of a contrast agent, pain intensifies and the disease worsens.

This technique is effective for detecting chronic sialadenitis. The interstitial form of the disease will be distinguished by the narrowing of the ducts of the salivary gland, and the amount of contrast agent will be small. With parenchymal inflammation, numerous cavities 5 mm in diameter will be observed, which will require 6-8 ml of a contrast agent, Iodolipol, to fill.

Causes of inflammation

Acute sialadenitis is caused by the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the ducts of the salivary glands. This can happen due to the following diseases:

Microbes can enter the salivary gland through a small wound, such as a scratch from a cat's claws. There are the following ways of infection:

• contact - microorganisms move from a nearby focus of inflammation;
• lymphogenous;
• hematogenous.

Inflammation of the lymph nodes, called Herzenberg's mumps, also leads to an enlargement and abscess of the salivary gland. It is often confused with mumps.

The second common cause of inflammation of the salivary glands is the cessation of salivation. It happens:

• after operations on the salivary glands or stomach;
• after injury;
• with stagnation of saliva;
• with dehydration;
• with hypercalcemia;
• with mucosal atrophy.

Treatment of pathology

Do not delay the treatment of the salivary gland. Although the disease is not considered fatal, it can lead to complications. Timely diagnosed sialadenitis, not complicated by an abscess of the salivary gland, responds well to therapy and in most cases is completely cured (we recommend reading:). Therapy for the acute form of sialadenitis rarely requires more than a couple of weeks.

In adults

Therapy for inflammation of the gland is highly dependent on the stage of the disease:

• The initial stage with influenza sialadenitis is treated with the introduction of antibiotics, and epidparotitis with antiviral drugs. Physiotherapy and Pilocarpine are widely used. To activate salivation, a weak solution of calcium iodide is used (we recommend reading:). With false parotitis, therapy is aimed at eliminating the cause of inflammation.
• Severe salivary gland disease requires anesthesia and intramuscular antibiotics. In severe forms of pathology of the salivary glands, surgical intervention is required.
• Chronic sialadenitis cannot be completely cured. To prevent exacerbations, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system and treat diseases that can provoke a violation of the functions of the salivary gland in time.
• Calculous sialadenitis requires surgery to treat. If there are several large stones in the salivary gland, then it should be removed (see also:). Small stones are rejected with conservative treatment.

In children

Sialoadenitis in children and adults is treated the same way. If an acute bacterial form of the disease occurs, the child needs to be hospitalized. At night they apply compresses with a 5% solution of DMSO with painkillers and antihistamines. In chronic sialadenitis, they strengthen the child's immunity. Salivary gland abscess in children must be opened under anesthesia. Fortunately, this complication is rare.

Folk remedies

Acute and chronic sialadenitis is a disease that can cause dangerous complications. Folk remedies can alleviate sialadenitis, but not cure:

1. To reduce inflammation, you need to rinse your mouth with a decoction of sage. To prepare it, boil the herb in boiling water for 5-10 minutes. The product must be used chilled. The decoction will be especially useful in chronic sialadenitis.
2. With false mumps, you can rinse your mouth with infusion of chamomile. You need to take 1 tablespoon of chopped grass and pour it with a glass of boiling water. This method is also effective for abscesses of the salivary glands and for the treatment of tumors.
3. Compresses can be made from the same herbs. To do this, wet a piece of gauze in a decoction, wring it out and put it on the tumor.
4. Heat can be used to reduce pain. To do this, heat the salt in a frying pan, wrap it in a thick rag and apply it to the tumor. It should be remembered that warming should not be used categorically for an abscess of the salivary gland.

Disease prevention

To clean the ducts of the salivary glands, you can rinse your mouth with a weak solution of citric acid. This remedy stimulates the production of saliva. To cleanse the ducts of the salivary gland, a solution of furacilin, potassium permanganate, sea salt, or solutions of other antiseptics is used. For prevention, it is necessary to protect the salivary glands from injury and prevent infection from entering their ducts.