Diseases in which this syndrome occurs
Excessive salivation may indicate:
Parkinson's disease;- Some helminthic diseases;
- Increased tone of the vagus nerve;
- Pancreatitis;
- Gastritis;
- Ulcer;
- Cholecystitis;
- Gingivitis, periodontitis;
- Diseases of the thyroid gland.
Insufficient saliva production indicates:
- Diabetes;
- Vitamin deficiency;
- Radiation sickness;
- Collagenosis;
- Iron deficiency anemia;
- Sjögren's syndrome;
- Depression.
Causes of hyposalivation
Dehydration
Dehydration is one of the most common causes of decreased saliva production. Because the volume of fluid in the body is small, the body reduces the production of secretions such as saliva. Dehydration can occur for various reasons. In most cases, this is due to loss of fluid and electrolytes due to vomiting and profuse diarrhea, as in gastroenteritis. Another reason is excessive sweating with insufficient fluid replenishment, as well as blood loss. Sometimes dehydration occurs when you take certain medications that promote fluid loss (diuretics).
Autoimmune
Sjogren's syndrome is one of the most common rheumatological diseases that affects glands such as the salivary and lacrimal glands. It occurs when the immune system attacks these glands. As a result, saliva production decreases. Sjögren's syndrome is a chronic disease whose exact cause is unknown. However, as with many autoimmune diseases, the cause is thought to be related to a previous viral or bacterial infection. Women, especially those with a history of rheumatoid arthritis or SLE, are more likely to develop Sjögren's syndrome.
Infections
Salivary gland infections are more likely if there is a gland or duct obstruction that reduces salivary flow. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus commonly cause these infections. These infections are localized in the salivary gland and can infect surrounding tissues. Mumps is another cause of swollen salivary glands due to this viral infection. However, the salivary glands can also be affected by systemic infections such as HIV.
Iatrogenic
Some drugs can cause problems with the salivary glands. Drugs such as antidepressants, antihistamines, antipsychotics, sedatives, methyldopa and diuretics are known to reduce saliva volume. Sometimes these drugs do not directly affect saliva production, but, for example, in the case of diuretics, the loss of fluid leads to a secondary decrease in saliva production. Chemotherapy can also affect the salivary glands and interfere with saliva production.
Saliva stones
Stones in the salivary glands can form for various reasons. This is most often the result of sedimentation of salivary components, often associated with dehydration.
Stones in the salivary glands can form for various reasons.
Chronic inflammation and sometimes damaged food debris can also cause the formation of salivary stones. It may remain asymptomatic until it becomes stuck in the duct leaving the salivary gland. This is known as sialolithiasis, and in this case the stone can obstruct the flow of saliva.
Swollen tonsils
Enlarged or swollen salivary glands may also be associated with decreased saliva production. There are many causes of swollen salivary glands, including infections, diabetes, Sjögren's syndrome, AIDS and tumors. The latter include both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors. Not only the three large paired glands are affected. Even small glands can become affected by swelling, as in a lip injury that causes the tiny lips to swell (mucocele).
Diagnostics
Which doctors are recommended for a person to see if he notices a problem with salivation?
Therapist (first of all!);- Neurologist;
- Dentist;
- Endocrinologist;
- Gastroenterologist;
- Maxillofacial surgeon.
Hyposalivation can be diagnosed as follows : a specialist examines the oral mucosa; if it is very poorly moistened or completely dry, saliva resembles foam or is completely absent, then measures need to be taken.
The doctor will help determine whether hypersalivation is real or false (for example, increased salivation occurs during obsessive states, impaired swallowing functions, and neuroses).
Symptoms of hyposalivation low saliva production
Dry mouth (xerostomia) is the most obvious symptom of hyposalivation. It is important to note that dry mouth is not always due to hyposalivation. Mouth breathing, for example, can lead to dry mouth due to air flow, even though daily saliva production is within normal limits.
There are several other symptoms that may also be present with hyposalivation. Some of these may not be as obvious as dry mouth and only occur over time. Other symptoms may be present immediately but depend on the degree of hyposalivation. The following symptoms may be present with hyposalivation as a direct result of low saliva volume:
- Reduced taste
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Speech problems, sometimes slurring or a feeling of a thick tongue
- Caries
- Increased risk of oral infections
Many people mistake dry mouth for thirst and may drink large amounts of water. However, this is not increased thirst, and subsequent urinary symptoms such as frequent urination are not due to any medical condition, but are simply a consequence of increased water consumption.
Treatment
It is worth saying that if hypersalivation is a consequence of inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity, then treatment is not required (except for the treatment of a specific inflammatory disease that has nothing to do with salivation).
If hypersalivation is associated with disorders of the nervous system, then it should be treated equally with the underlying disease. In this case, tranquilizers and antidepressants are used, as well as hypnotherapy.
In case of drug hypersalivation, the “provoking” drug is discontinued or its dosage is reduced. A popular pharmaceutical remedy for combating hypersalivation is atropine (but it will only give a temporary effect). Also, with increased salivation, prosthetics are often prescribed.
In case of disturbances in the process of salivation, galvanization of the salivary glands is also used. Electrophoresis using a 1% solution of galantamine hydrobromide is often prescribed.
At home
You can also take multivitamin complexes prescribed by your doctor and additionally sanitize the oral cavity, use iodine-containing preparations, vitamin A. Peach oil, lysozyme, and borax in glycerin (sodium tetraborate) will soften the mucous membrane and relieve inflammation.
The following folk remedies can be used:
- Decoctions of herbs (chamomile, oak bark). They should be used as a mouth rinse;
- Viburnum berries;
- It is necessary to crush 2 tbsp. spoons of fruit in a mortar, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for four hours. After this, the mixture is filtered and used for external and internal use (you can drink it instead of tea).
- Tincture of water pepper;
- Dilute a tablespoon of the drug in water and use it to rinse after each meal.
- 25 drops are diluted in 80 grams of clean water and used for rinsing after meals.
IMPORTANT: folk remedies should only be used if the problem of salivation is not serious!
Before using any of the remedies, you need to familiarize yourself with the side effects and contraindications.
What is hyposalivation
Hyposalivation means a lack of saliva or low saliva production.
There are many reasons why hyposalivation can occur, and it can be short-lived (acute) or persist for long periods of time (chronic). The problem occurs when the salivary glands do not produce or secrete enough saliva. However, the root cause may not always be related to the salivary gland itself, since many factors influence its activity. The main symptom of hyposalivation is dry mouth, although it can have many other effects due to the function of saliva. Saliva is produced by three paired salivary glands (sublingual, submandibular and parotid), as well as many tiny glands and mucous cells lining the inside of the mouth. In total, from 800 to 2 liters of saliva are produced daily. A slight decrease in saliva volume is usually not a problem. However, when symptoms and complications of hyposalivation appear, treatment is required. Depending on the cause of hyposalivation, medications and sometimes even surgery are necessary.
Hyposalivation means lack of saliva or low saliva production
Xerostomia
Diagnosis of xerostomia includes a detailed interview with the patient to find out what medications he took, including those without a doctor’s prescription. Additionally, ultrasound of the salivary glands and sialography are performed.
Symptomatic therapy for xerostomia significantly alleviates the patient’s condition, but after cessation of treatment, manifestations of xerostomia reappear. Therefore, it is important for the dentist to determine the underlying cause of this symptom. Xerostomia caused by taking medications or dehydration can be quickly corrected. Whereas xerostomia after radiation therapy is almost impossible to eliminate, since radiation can reduce the ability of the salivary glands to produce saliva.
Pathogenetic therapy for xerostomia is aimed at eliminating the causes of dry mouth. To improve the condition, solutions of potassium iodide, pilocarpine and galantamine are prescribed. Lubricating the oral cavity with a solution of vitamin A helps both reduce the symptoms of dryness and heal wounds and microcracks. Novocaine blockades in the area of the parotid and submandibular salivary glands and physiotherapeutic procedures, such as galvanotherapy of the salivary glands, electrophoresis with potassium iodide and vibration massage, can improve the patient’s condition even with xerostomia in the stage of decompensation.
To keep your mouth always moist, it is recommended to drink water frequently in small portions. Still mineral or drinking water, if drunk during the day and during night awakenings, is a symptomatic remedy, but significantly improves the condition of the oral mucosa. Sugar-free hard candies help improve the functioning of the salivary glands and increase the total volume of saliva. Typically, patients with xerostomia chew gum to increase salivation, but sugar-free chewing gum should be recommended to reduce the likelihood of tooth decay.
If you have xerostomia, you should avoid eating salty and dry foods, as well as foods and drinks containing caffeine and high sugar content. Alcoholic drinks and alcohol-containing mouthwashes dry out the mucous membranes and cause hyposalivation. Patients with xerostomia are advised to stop smoking, use oral moisturizers and soft-bristled toothbrushes so as not to injure the thin and dry oral mucosa.
After successfully eliminating the symptoms of xerostomia, relapses must be avoided. This is achieved through rational drug treatment of diseases; it is necessary to use those drugs that do not affect the functioning of the salivary glands. The prognosis for xerostomia is determined by the nature of the underlying disease and the degree of dysfunction of the salivary glands. But in all cases, except for complete atrophy of the salivary glands, a significant improvement in the condition or a complete cure can be achieved.
