What is the cause of swollen saliva glands what home remedies I can use for it?
The salivary glands, or Parotid glands, are found behind the base of the jaw, near the neck. Needless to say, they play an important function since they produce saliva, which is the first step in the breaking down and digestion of food. The parotid glands also keep the mouth moist. So it’s easy to see why swollen saliva glands can be very uncomfortable.
Since you haven’t described your medical history or other symptoms, it is difficult to tell you exactly what is causing your swollen salivary glands. Your problem may be caused by disorders of the salivary gland like sialolithiasis, sialadenitis or, more commonly, salivary gland stones. This problem is also often seen in people who live with HIV. It’s also a symptom of mumps, but in that case, it’s rarely chronic. In all of these cases, it is important to see a specialist doctor who can help you.
Salivary gland stones, which are the most common cause of swollen glands, are tiny calcium-rich stones that sometimes form inside the parotid glands. Like kidney stones, it is unclear exactly why and how they form. Often, they are benign, and cause no pain, but they sometimes block the ducts that release saliva into the mouth. This causes the glands to swell up, and can often cause intense pain.
To relieve the pain from the swollen gland, you can massage it when you feel a ‘tightening’ in your jaw. You can also apply a warm compress to the area to ease the pain. You will also need to incorporate some positive changes into your lifestyle to keep this problem at bay. If you’re a smoker, you need to stop smoking. Ensure that you have a healthy diet filled with a lot of vegetable and raw fruit. Drink a lot of water throughout the day, as even a little dehydration can cause your glands to swell. Good dental hygiene is important, and you should brush and floss regularly.
Try to indentify the stimuli that bring on the swelling, and then try to avoid them. Sometimes, it may also be because of medication that you are taking, which may reduce the amount of saliva in your mouth.
In case this does not help, you need to consult a doctor for treatment. He (or she) may order a CT scan of the area to be able to correctly diagnose what is wrong. In severe cases, a doctor will even advise surgery to provide you with permanent relief.
