What causes enlargement of the parotid gland?

Published by Charlie Davidson on

What causes enlargement of the parotid gland?

Viral infections such as mumps, flu, and others can cause swelling of the salivary glands. Swelling happens in parotid glands on both sides of the face, giving the appearance of “chipmunk cheeks.” Salivary gland swelling is commonly associated with mumps, happening in about 30% to 40% of mumps infections.

What is the commonest cause of parotid gland swelling?

Parotitis is a painful swelling of your parotid glands, which are salivary glands located between the ear and jaw. The most common cause is a virus, such as mumps, herpes, or Epstein-Barr. Bacterial infections, diabetes, tumours or stones in the saliva glands, and tooth problems also may cause parotitis.

What disease causes swollen parotid glands?

Sialadenitis mostly affects the parotid and submandibular glands. It can be an acute (sudden), chronic (long term), or recurrent condition. It is a rare condition….There are three main salivary glands:

  • Parotid glands in front of the ear in the cheeks.
  • Submandibular glands under the chin.
  • Sublingual glands under the tongue.

What causes bilateral parotid enlargement?

The infectious causes of bilateral parotid enlargement include viral mumps, HIV, acute suppurative parotitis, tuberculosis, and bilateral parotid abscess. Of these, viral mumps and HIV are bilateral more than half of the time,3,19,20 whereas the rest are less likely to be bilateral (Figure 2).

How do you stop parotid swelling?

Drink lots of water and use sugar-free lemon drops to increase the flow of saliva and reduce swelling. Massaging the gland with heat. Using warm compresses on the inflamed gland.

How do you stop parotid gland swelling?

Can dehydration cause parotid gland swelling?

When you get dehydrated, your saliva may become thick and flow more slowly than normal. That creates an environment where bacteria can thrive. Instead of a blocked gland or an infection, it’s also possible one of your salivary glands could be enlarged.

What happens to the parotid gland after enlargement?

Contralateral parotid gland enlargement occurs in 90% of patients, but this may be delayed by several days.19 Patients may experience trismus and difficulty with mastication. The parotid gland returns to normal size within 7 days. Complications are rare, but meningitis, encephalitis, orchitis, and pancreatitis can occur.

Are there any diseases that affect the parotid gland?

These two glands produce and secrete saliva along with the other salivary glands in the mouth. Like any organ, the parotid gland can become afflicted with a range of diseases and disorders.

What are the symptoms of parotid enlargement in children?

Reported in approximately 60% of children at diagnosis, this may be the sole presenting manifestation. Parotid enlargement is often episodic and may cause parotid pain and fever. In some children, parotid swelling may be persistent and other salivary glands including submandibular and sublingual glands may be affected.

What causes swelling in the parotid gland duct?

If your parotid gland duct is obstructed long enough, it can become infected and lead to other symptoms besides swelling, such as: What Causes Parotid Gland Swelling?

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