Inflammation of the salivary gland, the symptoms of which are quite numerous and specific, is called sialadenitis. This is most often a secondary disease that occurs as a complication. But the inflammation of the salivary gland (the symptoms in this case are somewhat different) can also occur in the primary form. The process is both bilateral and one-way. Most often parotid glands are inflamed. Rarely is there multiple inflammation and lesions of the glands of the sublingual and submaxillary glands. The disease can be caused by both bacterial and viral infection.
Inflammation of the salivary gland: symptoms
All of the following signs can occur either singly or in a complex manner. Most often there is pain in the gland. It radiates into the ear, mouth, neck, has a shooting character. Appears dryness of the mucous tongue, cheeks (this is due to the fact that the amount of saliva decreases). It's painful to chew and swallow, and also open your mouth. There may be an unpleasant aftertaste. Sometimes in the mouth there is a secretion of pus - this also characterizes the inflammation of the salivary gland. Symptoms at the initial stage of the disease may be mild. Sometimes, on the surface of the cheek, a tumor is clearly visible, a seal. It is dense enough to touch, touching it causes pain. If the inflammation has passed into a purulent stage, the patient feels pressure and bursting in the area of the salivary gland. Sometimes the general condition of the body worsens, there is weakness, nausea, the temperature rises. The most dangerous form of inflammation of the salivary glands is epidemic, viral. She's also called a pig. The virus that causes it can also affect other glands - more often genital or pancreatic. Pig is contagious, the patient must be isolated and immediately showed to the doctor. If treatment is not carried out in a timely manner and to the end, then purulent complications may develop. Most often, it is a breakthrough of the abscess into the oral cavity.
Treatment
With timely treatment, the doctor will prescribe, most likely, conservative therapy, which is carried out on an outpatient basis. Requires bed rest, copious warm drink, chopping food, so that chewing and swallowing do not cause severe discomfort. It is advisable to use rinses to soothe the irritated salivary glands. Inflammation (the photo clearly illustrates how strong it can be) is treated with antibiotics. Applying dry heat and physiotherapeutic procedures will help alleviate the condition of the patient. In addition, the so-called salivary diet is useful, which is the use of a certain amount of acidic foods (lemons, cranberries, cabbage). The doctor will tell you which is the best time to start using it. Such a diet prevents saliva stagnation and removes dead cells from the gland. Sialoadenitis must be distinguished from sialolithiasis. With this disease, stones are formed in the salivary gland, or rather, in its ducts. They prevent secretion. Diagnose this ailment with the help of an X-ray or ultrasound. And the treatment involves removing the stones surgically.