Salivary Gland Diseases
The salivary gland is the tissue that produces secretions in the mouth. There are three types of salivary glands: the parotid glands, the submandibular glands, and the sublingual glands. Various diseases can develop in these tissues. Salivary gland diseases may occur due to diet, living conditions, genetic factors, or unknown reasons in some cases. The disease can be diagnosed by blood tests, x-rays, tomography, or biopsy tests.
Causes and Symptoms of Salivary Gland Diseases
Salivary gland diseases are divided into eight different classes. The cause and symptoms of each disease are different from each other. Salivary gland stone is one of the most common salivary gland diseases. It is caused by the formation of calcium stones in the salivary glands. The cause of this condition is often unknown. However, some blood pressure medications, psychological drugs, low intake of water, or low food consumption can cause stone formation. In cases of salivary gland stones, salivary gland swelling and pain can be among the symptoms.
Some previous infections or viral infections that develop specifically in the salivary gland are also among the salivary gland diseases. While the incidence of salivary gland infections is higher in the elderly, individuals of any age can develop viral infections. Bacterial involvement in different parts of the body can also spread to the salivary glands. In both cases, facial swelling and pain are observed.
Another salivary gland disease is the cysts formed in this part of the body. In infancy, cysts may form in the salivary glands in relation to the development of the ear. Infections or injuries can also cause cyst formation.
Salivary glands are tissues where tumors may form. Tumors formed in these regions are divided into two as benign tumors and malignant, that is, cancerous tumors. Both tumors can develop due to long-term exposure to radiation and smoking. The incidence of malignant tumors of the salivary glands is quite low.
Sjögren’s syndrome is a disease in a different category among salivary gland diseases. Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease, is seen in middle-aged women. In this disease, the body attacks its own salivary and lacrimal glands. Non-specific salivary gland enlargement is a disease of unknown cause and is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of the salivary glands.
In summary, the common symptoms of salivary gland diseases include headache, joint, and muscle pain, decreased desire to eat, weakness, and fever.
Treatment of Salivary Gland Diseases
The first step in the treatment of salivary gland diseases is to determine the cause of the disease by listening to the patient’s discomforts and performing the necessary examinations. While the stone can be removed by the doctor during the examination in individuals with salivary gland stones, surgical interventions are performed if the stone is deeply located. If an infection develops, a treatment protocol consisting of antibiotics, plenty of fluid consumption, and rest is used.
In cyst and tumor formation, treatment is converted into surgical interventions. If the cysts are small and benign, they may resolve spontaneously over time, while large cysts need to be surgically removed. After the tumors are surgically removed, radiation therapy is recommended to avoid the recurrence of the problem. Whether malignant tumors are removed or not, chemotherapy or radiotherapy can be administered to individuals.
In Sjögren’s syndrome, the goal of the treatment is to increase salivation. In these cases, it is recommended to administer secretion-enhancing fluids along with chewing gum. Oral hygiene is one of the issues to be considered in the treatment of Sjögren’s syndrome, as in all salivary gland diseases. In the treatment of nonspecific salivary gland enlargement, the disorder causing this problem should be treated.