The salivary glands are a group of glands located in the mouth and throat that produce saliva, a liquid that helps to moisten food and neutralize acids in the mouth. Salivary glands disorders are a group of conditions that can affect the normal functioning of these glands, leading to symptoms such as dry mouth, pain, and difficulty swallowing.
One of the most common salivary gland disorders is sialadenitis, an inflammation of the salivary glands that can occur as a result of bacterial infection. This condition typically affects the parotid glands, which are located in the cheeks near the ears. Symptoms of sialadenitis include pain and swelling in the affected gland, as well as fever and difficulty opening the mouth. Treatment for sialadenitis typically involves antibiotics to clear up the infection and pain relievers to manage symptoms.
Another common salivary gland disorder is sialolithiasis, which is the formation of small stones (sialoliths) in the salivary glands. These stones can block the ducts that carry saliva out of the glands, leading to pain and swelling. Sialolithiasis most commonly affects the submandibular glands, which are located under the jaw, and the sublingual glands, which are located under the tongue. Treatment for sialolithiasis may involve the removal of the stones through surgery or through a procedure called sialendoscopy, which uses a small camera to remove the stones.
Salivary duct obstruction is another disorder that affects the salivary glands. It occurs when the ducts that carry saliva out of the glands become blocked, preventing the flow of saliva. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including injury, infection, or a tumor. Symptoms of salivary duct obstruction include dry mouth, pain, and difficulty swallowing. Treatment for salivary duct obstruction may involve surgery to remove the obstruction or a procedure called marsupialization, which involves creating an opening in the gland to allow saliva to flow.
A rare disorder that affects the salivary glands is Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that causes dryness in the mouth and eyes. It occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks the glands that produce tears and saliva. Symptoms of Sjogren’s syndrome include dry mouth, dry eyes, and difficulty swallowing. Treatment for Sjogren’s syndrome typically involves medications to manage symptoms and reduce inflammation, as well as strategies to keep the mouth and eyes moisturized.
In addition to these specific disorders, the salivary glands can also be affected by cancer. Salivary gland cancer is a rare type of cancer that can develop in any of the salivary glands. Symptoms of salivary gland cancer may include a lump or mass in the jaw or neck, pain, and difficulty swallowing. Treatment for salivary gland cancer may involve surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy.
To prevent salivary gland disorders, it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene, which includes brushing and flossing your teeth regularly, as well as using an antiseptic mouthwash. Avoiding things that can cause dry mouth, such as smoking and alcohol, can also help to prevent salivary gland disorders. Additionally, if you have a history of salivary gland disorders or are at a higher risk for them, it’s important to seek regular check-ups with a dentist or an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
The mouth is where the salivary glands are situated. Salivary glands are arranged in three-pair pairs. Directly below and in front of each ear are the parotid glands. The submandibular glands are located below the jaw. Sublingual glands are located on the tongue. There are countless small glands as well. These glands secrete saliva (spit), which is then expelled into the mouth through duct-like structures. Saliva makes food moist, which makes it easier to chew, swallow, and digest food. Because saliva contains antibodies that combat bacteria, it also promotes oral hygiene.
If the salivary glands are damaged or not producing enough saliva, it can affect taste, make chewing and swallowing more difficult, and increase the risk of cavities, tooth loss, and oral infections. Problems that prevent the release or production of saliva can occur when anything inhibits one or more salivary glands. A number of diseases can affect your salivary glands. These may be cancerous tumors or Sjogren’s syndrome. While some ailments get better over time or with antibiotics, others need for more extensive treatments like surgery.
What causes disorders of the salivary glands?
Both sialadenitis and sialolithiasis can affect the salivary glands:
The disorder known as sialolithiasis causes calcium-based stones to form in the salivary glands. If these stones obstruct the glands, salivary flow may be partially or completely interrupted. Sialadenitis is the medical term for an infection of the salivary glands (or sialoadenitis). When the gland is congested with stones, it frequently occurs. Staph or strep bacteria can cause an infection. The disease is more likely to harm elderly adults and neonates.
The Sjogren’s syndrome
Sjogren’s syndrome is another another typical salivary gland disorder. White blood cells assault healthy cells in glands that secrete moisture, such as the oil, sweat, and salivary glands, to cause this condition. Most commonly, this issue affects women who have autoimmune disorders like lupus.
Viruses:
Viruses may also impact the salivary glands. The flu virus, mumps virus, coxsackie virus, echovirus, and cytomegalovirus are among these viruses.
both cancerous and non-cancerous tumors:
Both benign and malignant tumors can form in the salivary glands. Cancerous tumors in the salivary glands are quite rare. When they do happen, they typically afflict adults between the ages of 50 and 60, according to Cedars-Sinai.
The parotid glands can be impacted by pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin’s tumors, two non-cancerous tumors. Additionally, benign Pleomorphic adenomas can infrequently form in the submandibular gland and small salivary glands.
What Are the Signs of a Disorder of the Salivary Glands?
- Sialolithiasis symptoms include a painful lump under the tongue and soreness that gets worse when you eat.
- Signs of sialadenitis include:
Fever with a lump on your face or beneath your chin and pus draining into your mouth.
- Your salivary glands can develop cysts that can lead to:
yellowish mucous that leaks from the cyst when it ruptures
eating difficulties, speech difficulties, and difficulty swallowing
4.Viral infections of the salivary glands, including the mumps, can lead to
muscle pains, joint discomfort, and fever
swollen face pain
- Sjogren’s syndrome symptoms include:
tooth decay sores in the mouth dry mouth dry eyes joint pain or swelling
unidentified dry cough and fatigue
enlarged salivary glands, frequent infections of the salivary glands
Visit your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
an unpleasant aftertaste
Mouth ache
swelling of the face
inability to open your mouth
How Are Salivary Gland Diseases Diagnosed?
An ENT specialist will suggest testing based on your medical history and physical examination.
Some circumstances can even be revealed by the history and physical examination alone. In such cases, diagnostic tests might not be necessary. An ENT doctor might want to look at the obstruction to determine whether it’s a salivary gland obstruction. Getting a dental X-ray of the problematic area can help in locating the impediment. A head and neck surgeon operating under anesthesia can then numb the salivary gland opening and clear any blockages.
If an ENT expert wishes to specifically target the salivary glands, they can receive a more precise image via an MRI or CT scan.
Additionally, if your doctor has any suspicions, a biopsy to remove salivary gland tissue can aid in the diagnosis.
How Are Salivary Gland Diseases Handled?
Depending on what is producing the anomalies in the saliva, medical or surgical treatments are employed to treat them. If a systemic illness—one that impacts the entire body—is the underlying reason for the salivary disorder, it needs to be treated first. It could be required to visit an ENT expert for this. If the problem is a salivary gland obstruction, your doctor may use a local anesthetic to numb the area so they can probe and widen the duct to remove the obstructive stone.
If a tumor has developed in the salivary gland, your doctor may advise having it removed. You might receive a recommendation for a surgical otolaryngologist, often known as an ear, nose, and throat physician. The parotid gland area is where most benign tumors are found (noncancerous). If a tumor is cancerous, it will be surgically removed, after which radiation therapy will be administered to the surrounding area. In Lucknow, you can contact an ENT expert whose consultation costs could be between INR 400 and INR 1000.
