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Salivary Gland Disorders

Your salivary glands are in your mouth. You have three pairs of major salivary glands and hundreds of small (minor) glands. They make saliva (spit) and empty it into your mouth through openings called ducts. Saliva makes your food moist, which helps you chew and swallow. It helps you digest your food. It also cleans your mouth and contains antibodies that can kill germs.

Problems with salivary glands can cause them to become irritated and swollen. You may have symptoms such as

  • A bad taste in your mouth
  • Difficulty opening your mouth
  • Dry mouth
  • Pain in your face or mouth
  • Swelling of your face or neck

Causes of salivary gland problems include infections, obstruction, or cancer. Problems can also be due to other disorders, such as mumps or Sjogren's syndrome.

Symptoms of Salivary Gland Disorders

The following features are indicative of Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • lump near jaw
  • lump near neck or mouth
  • swelling near jaw
  • swelling in neck or mouth
  • face numbness
  • muscle weakness
  • pain
  • difficulty swallowing
  • trouble opening mouth widely
  • bad taste
  • dry mouth
  • pain
  • lack of saliva
  • erythema
  • pus discharge
  • cervical lymphadenitis
It is possible that Salivary Gland Disorders shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Salivary Gland Disorders

The following are the most common causes of Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • DNA mutations
  • abnormalities in calcium metabolism
  • dehydration
  • reduced salivary flow rate
  • oropharyngeal infections
  • altered solubility of crystalloids

Risk Factors for Salivary Gland Disorders

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • older age
  • radiation exposure
  • people involved in rubber manufacturing, asbestos mining and plumbing
  • HIV infection
  • Epstein-Barr virus infection
  • tobacco use

Prevention of Salivary Gland Disorders

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Salivary Gland Disorders. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • avoid tobacco use
  • avoid excess alcohol use
  • eat healthy diet

Occurrence of Salivary Gland Disorders

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Salivary Gland Disorders cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Salivary Gland Disorders can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Salivary Gland Disorders can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Disorders

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • Physical exam: To check for lumps or swelling
  • Imaging tests: To determine the size and location of salivary gland cancer
  • Biopsy: To diagnose the salivary gland cancer

Doctor for Diagnosis of Salivary Gland Disorders

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • Oncologist
  • Dentist

Complications of Salivary Gland Disorders if untreated

Yes, Salivary Gland Disorders causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Salivary Gland Disorders is left untreated:
  • muscle weakness
  • persistent pain in the area of salivary gland
  • difficulty swallowing

Procedures for Treatment of Salivary Gland Disorders

The following procedures are used to treat Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • Surgery: To remove the tissue, entire gland, neck lymph nodes and to reconstruct the jaw
  • Sialendoscopy: To treat stones in the salivary gland duct
  • Radiation therapy: To kill cancer cells
  • Chemotherapy: To kill cancer cells

Self-care for Salivary Gland Disorders

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • Maintain healthy weight: Help maintaining good health
  • Follow healthy diet: Help maintaining good health
  • Limit alcohol consumption: Help maintaining good health

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Salivary Gland Disorders

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Salivary Gland Disorders:
  • Do exercise: Moderate exercise during and after cancer treatment helps in reducing fatigue
  • Acupuncture: Helps reducing fatigue
  • Massage therapy: Helps relaxing the body
  • Music therapy: Helps in relaxing the mind

Patient Support for Treatment of Salivary Gland Disorders

The following actions may help Salivary Gland Disorders patients:
  • Friends and family support: Helps to cope during treatment
  • Connect with other cancer survivors: Offers unique support and insight because they understand what patient is experiencing

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Salivary Gland Disorders.
Dry Mouth
Mumps
Salivary Gland Cancer
Sjogren's Syndrome

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