Hypersalivation is a pathological condition characterized by increased secretion of the salivary glands. So, in children under the age of six months, such increased salivation is considered the norm and does not require any special treatment. On the other hand, hypersalivation in adults is a rather serious disease that not only worsens the quality of life, but also brings discomfort. In this article, we will consider this pathology in more detail.
general information
Salivation is known to be a normal process. So, every 10 minutes, approximately 2 mg of saliva is released. However, in some cases, so-called hypersalivation may occur.
In the people, this pathology is known as increased salivation. The causes in adults can be very different, ranging from diseases of the oral cavity to serious neurological disorders.
It is also important to note that some patients perceive the normal amount of saliva to be increased. Most often, this is due to a violation of swallowing function. In this case, a person simply cannot completely swallow saliva, and it constantly accumulates in the oral cavity. In fact, there is no need to talk about serious pathology. Doctors call this hypersalivation false.
Primary symptoms
Special glands constantly produce saliva. The therapeutic norm is the production of liquid in the amount of 2 ml in about ten minutes. Increased salivation in adults can be alerted only when the volumes exceed the 5 ml mark. In this case, an excess of fluid is observed in the mouth, so there is a reflex desire to swallow it.
Quite often, doctors associate this kind of problem with the inflammatory process in the oral cavity, various injuries of the tongue. In this case, the feeling of an abundance of fluid is false, since salivation is within normal limits.
The same sensations, not justified by a violation of the function of the glands in the oral cavity, can occur in patients suffering not from neurological or dental problems, but subject to so-called obsessive conditions.
Rather rarely, hypersalivation is accompanied by a change in taste (too strong or weak sensitivity). Some patients have increased salivation and nausea at the same time.
Why does this pathology arise?
In a healthy person, saliva is released as a response to the aroma of food; taste analyzers also have nerve endings in the oral mucosa. The maximum irritation causes, respectively, profuse salivation. For example, the nicer the smell, the quicker the appetite. The gastrointestinal tract thus reports that it is ready for "work."
The salivary glands are known to function continuously. They are designed to moisturize the oral cavity, protect the tongue, tonsils and nasopharynx from drying out. In just one day, about two liters of fluid are produced. A decrease in these volumes is usually observed in sleep, during dehydration, and during stress.
Why is salivation increased in adults? Main reasons
- Intoxication of the body. It is poisoning that most often is the main provoking factor that causes the development of this pathology. In this case, the age of the patient does not play a special role. Poisoning can be either food or alcohol or medication.
- Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Acute gastritis, cholecystitis, and gastric ulcer - these are the ailments that are fundamental factors in the appearance of a problem such as increased salivation.
- The reasons for adults in the development of this kind of pathology are often hidden in the intake of certain groups of drugs. In the composition of medicines there are many substances that lead to hypersalivation. To exclude this reason, it is necessary to adjust the dose of the drug or choose another remedy.
- Regular stressful situations, diseases of the central nervous system, mental disorders. In this case, weakening of the muscles involved in the swallowing process is observed. As a result, fluid constantly accumulates in the oral cavity.
- Vascular pathology.
- Worms.
- Diseases of the oral cavity (ulcerative stomatitis).
- Foreign bodies in the oral cavity (improperly installed dentures, braces, chewing gums). All these objects constantly irritate the nerve endings of the oral mucosa, provoking increased salivation.
- Symptoms of this pathology are very often manifested in endocrine diseases. For example, diabetes, thyroid disease, tumors - all these problems cause increased secretion of the salivary glands.
- Smoking. Active smokers in reality very often have to deal with this pathology. Due to the constant nicotine irritation of the oral cavity, the salivary glands begin to reflexively produce more secretion.
What is hypersalivation related to in children?
It should be noted that in the first year of a child's life, this pathology is not considered any serious disease requiring treatment. Increased salivation in infants is a normal process. In this case, the so-called unconditioned reflex factor comes to the fore.
When teething the very first teeth, excessive salivation is also not considered a disease and does not require surgical intervention.
It is important to note that older children should not suffer from hypersalivation. If the problem still exists, it is extremely important to consult a specialist.
At about three months, the baby begins to work the salivary glands. It was at this time that parents, as a rule, notice severe salivation. However, do not panic for no reason, since the baby needs some time to learn to swallow on her own.
Hypersalivation in babies is often part of the protective system. The thing is that, together with the leaking fluid, various bacteria are removed from the oral cavity.
Rather rarely, increased salivation is a sign of damage to the brain itself, which could have occurred in the perinatal period.
Types of disease
- Medicinal hypersalivation. Most medications (for example, Nitrazepam) that affect salivation cause the development of xerostomia.
- The psychogenic type of the disease, which also entails increased salivation. The causes in adults leading to the development of this pathology remain unknown. Sometimes salivation becomes so profuse that patients have to constantly carry a handkerchief with them.
- Hypersalivation with bulbar or pseudobulbar syndrome. Saliva is usually thick, and its volumes can be up to 900 ml per day.
- Excessive salivation in patients with cerebral palsy is due to a violation of the functioning of the oral muscles.
Increased salivation during pregnancy
As you know, a woman’s body during a baby’s bearing undergoes various kinds of changes, including at the hormonal level. According to experts, it is in the early stages that many ladies note the primary signs of hypersalivation.
Most often, this problem accompanies toxicosis. It is important to note that in some cases, hypersalivation is not associated with real activation of the salivary glands. The thing is that a woman is constantly trying to suppress bouts of nausea and vomiting, thereby she begins to swallow involuntarily less often. As a result, there is a feeling that the saliva is actually more than it should be.
Often, increased salivation during pregnancy is somewhat exacerbated by bouts of heartburn. In this case, the body conditionally receives a signal to soften the acid with saliva, which, due to the high content of bicarbonate, is considered an alkaline medium.
Sometimes hypersalivation occurs due to the action of the same factors as in ordinary adults. In this kind of situation, pregnant women are advised to inform the doctor about this to rule out the obvious causes of the problem.
Strong night hypersalivation
During sleep, as you know, the work of the glands responsible for the production of saliva is somewhat slowed down. However, it also happens that the secret begins to be developed before the person finally wakes up. All this entails spontaneous drainage of fluid from the mouth of a sleeping person.
If such cases are rare, then there is no reason to worry. However, regular recurrence of this problem requires consultation with a specialist.
Doctors note that in some cases, during sleep, the body loses control over reflexes. It also leads to increased salivation.
Hypersalivation can occur due to some diseases in which nasal congestion is observed (ARVI, flu). As a rule, increased salivation occurs after the final disappearance of the main cause - shortness of breath.
Diagnostic measures
Diagnostics in this case involves the following steps:
- Collection of a complete medical history (when the primary symptoms appeared, the presence of concomitant diseases, etc.).
- Life analysis. The thing is that the hereditary factor often plays a paramount role in the occurrence of such a pathology as increased salivation. The causes in adults often lie in the abuse of bad habits (for example, smoking).
- A detailed examination of the oral cavity for ulcers or other lesions of the mucosa.
- Enzymatic analysis of saliva itself.
- Additional examination by a dentist, psychiatrist and neurologist to identify possible indirect causes.
What should be the treatment?
About the appointment of therapy can only be said after the final identification of the causes that led to the development of hypersalivation. First of all, you need to consult a therapist. After examining and collecting an anamnesis, he will be able to recommend a narrow specialist.
Depending on the root cause, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment. In this case, not the hypersalivation itself is eliminated, but the main factor that provoked its development. This may be a dental, neurological or gastroenterological treatment.
How to get rid of increased salivation? In especially critical situations, as a rule, specific therapy is prescribed that acts directly on the salivation itself, namely:
- Reception of anticholinergic drugs ("Riabal", "Scopolamine", "Platifillin"). These agents suppress the excessive secretion of saliva.
- Removal of glands (this method often entails a disruption of the facial nerves).
- For neurological disorders, face massage and exercise therapy are prescribed.
- Radiation therapy.
- Cryotherapy (cold treatment).
- In order to block excessive saliva production for a while (up to one year), Botox injections are performed.
In addition to all of the above medicines, homeopathic options are often used. However, they are prescribed only after consulting a doctor.
Useful Tips
If the diagnostic examination does not reveal any significant violations, you can try to use the following recommendations.
First of all, it is necessary to exclude from the diet all spicy, fatty and salty dishes, as they provoke irritation of the oral mucosa. The thing is that many complain about excessive salivation after eating. These kinds of restrictions can help solve this problem.
It is imperative to stop smoking and drinking alcohol. As a preventative measure, you can rinse your mouth with a decoction of chamomile or oak bark. These funds act as antiseptics and prevent the development of this pathology.