Unfortunately, hypersalivation is a fairly common problem that both adult patients and children face. Such a violation brings a lot of inconvenience to a person's life. And today, many are interested in questions about what is associated with increased salivation and what treatment methods modern medicine can offer.
What is hypersalivation?
Hypersalivation is a disorder that is accompanied by an increase in the amount of saliva. A similar phenomenon can be associated both with an increase in the secretion of the salivary glands, and with a violation of the normal act of swallowing.
It is worth noting that hypersalivation in children is considered normal until 3-6 months, when the baby is not yet able to consciously control the swallowing process. In addition, an increase in the amount of saliva in childhood can be associated with the process of teething. If salivation persists after completion of the initial stages of development, then this indicates the presence of certain disorders. In adulthood, a similar pathology also indicates a violation of the normal functioning of the body.
Hypersalivation: causes of the disease
In fact, increased secretion and excretion of saliva can develop under the influence of various factors. So when does hypersalivation occur? The reasons in this case may be different:
- For example, quite often, increased salivation is observed with stomatitis, odontogenic inflammation, as well as in the presence of wounds in the tongue and sublingual region.
- Some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, including stomach ulcers, can also lead to hypersalivation.
- Increased salivation is a symptom of heavy metal poisoning.
- The causes can also include epidemic encephalitis.
- Hypersalivation in children develops against the background of cerebral palsy.
- Brain tumors lead to the appearance of such a violation.
- Some drugs cause increased secretion of saliva.
- Parkinson's disease is also a list of causes.
- Hypersalivation in adults and children can develop against the background of helminthic invasions.
Psychogenic form of the disease
Not in all cases, in the process of diagnosis, doctors manage to detect the physical cause of the malfunction of the salivary glands. Psychogenic hypersalivation is an extremely rare form of the disease in which increased salivation is associated with various mental disorders.
It is worth noting that this form of the disease is relatively difficult to treat - it requires constant studies with a psychologist and a neurologist. But even during therapy, it is difficult for patients to find mental balance, since the constant release of saliva negatively affects the emotional state and self-esteem, which only worsens the situation.
Hypersalivation during pregnancy and its causes
In fact, increased salivation during childbearing is considered quite common. Not in every case, doctors manage to determine the causes of the development of this disorder, but some risk factors are still established.
Many doctors believe that hypersalivation is the result of fundamental hormonal changes in the body. In addition, during pregnancy, the woman’s body becomes more sensitive to the effects of chemicals - increased salivation appears while taking medication, which until then had not caused side effects.
Do not forget that women in this period of life often suffer from heartburn, which enhances the secretion of saliva. In addition, constant nausea prevents patients from swallowing saliva normally, which leads to its accumulation in the oral cavity.
Of course, such a violation should definitely be reported to the doctor. But in most cases, this phenomenon disappears after childbirth.
Hypersalivation: treatment
Of course, increased salivation brings a lot of difficulties to the patient's life. And in this case, the help of a specialist is simply necessary. First of all, the patient must undergo a full examination, since it is extremely important to determine the cause of the appearance of this syndrome.
For example, in the presence of infectious diseases of the oral cavity, it is necessary to carry out antibacterial (antiviral, antifungal) treatment. If the cause is a disease of the stomach, then the treatment is carried out by a gastroenterologist.
In order to reduce the amount of saliva secreted, preparations based on atropine are used. But they are used very carefully. In the most severe cases, surgical intervention is indicated.
Features of the treatment of hypersalivation in children
According to statistical studies, most often a similar ailment is diagnosed in children. Naturally, the treatment process in young patients includes the diagnosis and elimination of the primary disease (if any). However, therapy has some features.
For example, parents should teach their child to swallow saliva - this is achieved through constant reminders. The baby should feel the difference between a dry and wet chin. A regular speech therapy massage, which is also often included in the course of treatment, will have a positive effect on the condition of the child. Massage sessions help strengthen the muscles of the oral cavity, give the baby the ability to control the swallowing process, and also give an effect if the child has problems with pronunciation.
In addition, doctors recommend that patients (both adults and children) regularly do various facial and articulation exercises. As for the methods of alternative treatment, it will be useful to regularly rinse the oral cavity with a decoction of chamomile or oak bark.