submandibular gland swollen and painful
Have you ever heard the term sialadenitis?
If you have recently noticed swelling of the submandibular glands, if you are looking for possible causes of swelling of the submandibular glands, read the following.
Salivary gland swelling is called sialadenitis by doctors. Salivary gland secretions are necessary to moisten the mouth and throat and start digesting food.
Doctors say inflammation of the salivary glands is more common in two categories of human salivary glands.
And
- Lower salivary glands of the lower jaw
Which are known as sub Mandibular salivary glands.
The main human salivary glands
First get acquainted with the main human salivary glands.
Three groups of main salivary glands:
- The parotid gland, which is located in front of the ear in each half of the face and around the cheek.
- Submandibular glands which are located under the chin.
- Salivary glands under the tongue called sublingual glands.
As mentioned above, inflammation and swelling of the salivary glands or sialadenitis often occur in the parotid and submandibular salivary glands.
In most cases young adults develop swollen salivary glands.
Swelling of the salivary glands or sialadenitis can be acute and sudden or chronic.
Sialadenitis are generally rare.
Who is more likely to have swollen salivary glands or sialadenitis?
- Young adults
- People who have salivary stones.
- Babies in the first weeks after birth
- The prevalence of submandibular salivary glands is the same in men and women.
- Dehydrated people
- People who have a history of facial surgery.
- People with malnutrition
- People with immunodeficiency
are more at risk for swelling and inflammation of the salivary glands.
Causes of swelling of the salivary glands under the jaw or submandibular sialadenitis
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Poor oral hygiene
- Oral problems
Symptoms of submandibular sialadenitis
Manifestations and signs of salivary gland inflammation include:
- Enlargement
- Tenderness
- Redness
- Fever, especially in cases where the infection has spread to the salivary glands.
- Dry mouth or xerostomia
- Inflammation of the skin of the area
- Swelling under the chin and neck
- Decreased saliva
The common symptom between acute and chronic sialadenitis is considered by doctors to be dry mouth and decreased saliva.
It is best to see a doctor if you have swelling under your chin that accompanies one or more of the above symptoms.
Diagnostic measures for this type of disease
Most cases of diagnosis of submandibular salivary gland inflammation or submandibular sialadenitis are clinical.
This means that your history, along with your doctor's touch and physical exam, makes the diagnosis possible. In some cases, scopic studies are needed.
treatment
In the treatment of acute sialadenitis, antibiotics will be appropriate in the first place.
Along with the appropriate antibiotics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen are prescribed.
Measures are also used to increase your saliva secretion, for example, it will be recommended to drink lemon juice and suck sour and firm candies.
It is recommended to use a warm compress on the spot. Heat reduces inflammation and swelling of the swollen submandibular glands under your chin.
Your doctor will teach you how to massage under your chin.
It will be very rare for surgery to be necessary to treat swelling of the submandibular salivary glands.
Remember that infections and inflammation of the mouth can be very serious if left untreated. A severe, pervasive infection can be the result of untreated infectious sialadenitis. This condition is more common in adolescents and people with underlying conditions.
So if there is swelling of the salivary glands under the chin or submandibular glands, be sure to see a doctor to check and start treatment.