[vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” css=”.vc_custom_1602488691191{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column css_animation=”slideInUp” width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12699″ img_size=”500×500″ alignment=”center”][vc_custom_heading text=”Consultant Paediatric and Specialist of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Sunway Medical Centre, Dr. Priatharisiny Velayutham” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_text_separator title=”” color=”black” border_width=”3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Everything you need to know about the battle to end the pandemic
” font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:34px|text_align:center|color:%23ed1c24|line_height:34px” google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”appear”][ultimate_fancytext strings_textspeed=”350″ strings_backspeed=”0″ fancytext_tag=”h3″ fancytext_strings=”By Ridzvaani Nagarajen
” strings_font_style=”font-weight:normal;font-style:normal;” strings_font_size=”desktop:15px;” fancytext_color=”#ed1c24″ strings_font_family=”font_family:Montserrat|font_call:Montserrat|variant:regular”][vc_text_separator title=”” color=”black” border_width=”3″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1602492080055{padding-right: 40px !important;padding-left: 40px !important;}”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_empty_space height=”2em”][vc_column_text]You’ve heard of kidney and gallbladder stones but have you heard of salivary gland stones?
According to a case study published in 2015, the annual incidence (in the United Kingdom) of salivary gland stones is estimated to be between one per 15,000 and one per 30,000 individuals. While this study was conducted elsewhere, this does not mean that Malaysians are spared from developing salivary gland stones.
The stones commonly develop among those over the age of 40 years old but it can affect those who are younger too.
As much as salivary gland stones are not life-threatening, it isn’t something that should be taken lightly. This is why we spoke to Consultant Paediatric and Specialist of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT), Sunway Medical Centre, Dr. Priatharisiny Velayutham to share more about the mysterious stony gland[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1597027682459{margin-top: 3% !important;margin-bottom: 3% !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][ultimate_carousel slides_on_desk=”1″ slides_on_tabs=”1″ slides_on_mob=”1″ infinite_loop=”off” autoplay=”off” next_icon=”ultsl-arrow-right2″ prev_icon=”ultsl-arrow-left2″ dots_color=”#ed1c24″ adaptive_height=”on” centermode=”” item_space=”0″][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12705″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602666916263{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp”][info_list_item list_title=”Firstly, could you share with us what salivary gland stone is?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]To be direct, salivary gland stones also known as salivary calculi are formation of hard mass (stones) that can be found within the gland or the ducts itself.
These stones are composed of smaller amounts of calcium along with other minerals. Furthermore, salivary gland stones vary in sizes and can grow more than one in the gland.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=” How common are salivary gland stones?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]The development of salivary calculi is around one to two percent of the population and of these only 0.5 percent are symptomatic.
Quote: SMALL STONES ARE USUALLY ASYMPTOMATIC, BUT THE LARGE ONES CAN CAUSE OBSTRUCTION TO THE FLOW OF SALIVA. THIS RESULTS IN SWELLING OF THE GLANDS ALONG WITH SOME PAINFUL SYMPTOMS.[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12702″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602667234358{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp” css_info_list=”.vc_custom_1602664985958{margin-top: 2em !important;margin-bottom: 2em !important;}”][info_list_item list_title=”What are the causes of this condition?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]As a matter of fact, this condition forms due to the stagnation of saliva. We, humans have three major salivary glands that are responsible in producing saliva and they are:
- Parotid gland
- Submandibular gland
- Sublingual glands
Despite that, salivary stones commonly occur in the submandibular gland. This is because the duct is longer and the flow of saliva is against gravity. On top of that the secretions from the gland are more mucoid and thick.
Apart from that, other causes are due to dental issues, dehydration, cancer patients who have undergone radiotherapy and certain type of medications such as:
- Antihistamines
- Blood pressure drugs
- Psychiatric and kidney drugs
Small stones are usually asymptomatic, but the large ones can cause obstruction to the flow of saliva. This results in swelling of the glands along with some painful symptoms.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=” How would one know if he or she has salivary gland stones?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Patients often describe the presence of pain and swelling around their ears and below their jaws. Other forms of discomfort patients might experience includes:
- Fever
- Pain under the tongue
- Formation of pus around the gland which indicates there is a growth or sometimes more than one.
- An increased intensity of pain when eating. This can be referred to as ‘meal time syndrome’.
Above are a few common underlying problems many would experience when there’s calculus growing, therefore blocking the salivary flow[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”12702″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1602667234358{margin-top: 3% !important;padding-right: 20px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][info_list font_size_icon=”24″ eg_br_width=”1″ connector_animation=”fadeInUp” css_info_list=”.vc_custom_1602664985958{margin-top: 2em !important;margin-bottom: 2em !important;}”][info_list_item list_title=”What type of examinations and tests are available to check for salivary gland stones?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]As for the type of examination done to inspect this disease usually starts with the doctor carrying out a few physical tests towards the patient like:
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Computed Tomography (CT) scans
If a stone is detected, the goal of the treatment would be to remove it. For smaller stones, stimulating saliva flow by using sialogogues, a drug that promotes the secretion of saliva may help the stone to pass spontaneously.
However, quite a reverse approach would be taken for larger stones or those that are hard to remove. The doctors will need to make a small incision in the mouth to remove the stone.
At a continually increasing rate and with the help of technology, doctors are using a newer and less invasive technique called sialendoscopy to remove salivary gland stones. Sialendoscopy uses tiny lighted scopes that are then inserted into the gland’s opening to visualise the salivary duct system and locate the stone. Subsequently, the doctor will use micro instruments to remove the stone and relieve the blockage. This can be done as a day procedure where the patient can go home on the very same day.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”Will surgery be necessary to remove these stones? Are there any side effects that may occur from the surgery?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]If a salivary stone is very large or irregular in shape, then it would require a more invasive technique which is to have open surgery conducted towards the patient. Moreover, patients with recurrent stones will need to undergo a surgical removal of gland. Doctors will prescribe antibiotics if the salivary stones have caused infection.
As for the side effects, the most frequent ones are temporary swelling of the glands. This develops among 80 to 100 percent in most cases. Apart from that, there might be injuries to the ducts, infections, temporary nerve injury and bleeding.
To add on, the nerves that control various facial movements and sweat production runs through or near the major salivary glands. Please call your doctor if you experience any sort of pain or swelling in your mouth. Early intervention can prevent complications.[/info_list_item][info_list_item list_title=”What is the long-term outlook of this condition?” list_icon=”Defaults-comments” animation=”fadeInUp”]Salivary duct stone is a benign condition and can be removed without any complications. However, if the stones keep recurring then the entire gland needs to be removed surgically. Removing one gland will not reduce the production of saliva since there are other salivary glands that can produce enough saliva[/info_list_item][/info_list][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/ultimate_carousel][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1594189719583{padding-right: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_text_separator title=”READ MORE” title_align=”separator_align_left” align=”align_right” color=”custom” border_width=”9″ accent_color=”#dd3333″ el_class=”read”][bs-grid-listing-1 columns=”3″ show_excerpt=”1″ title=”” icon=”” hide_title=”0″ heading_color=”” heading_style=”default” category=”14,29,13″ tag=”” count=”3″ post_ids=”” offset=”” featured_image=”0″ ignore_sticky_posts=”1″ author_ids=”” disable_duplicate=”0″ time_filter=”” order=”DESC” order_by=”date” _name_1=”” post_type=”” taxonomy=”” _name_2=”” cats-tags-condition=”and” cats-condition=”in” tags-condition=”in” tabs=”” tabs_cat_filter=”” tabs_tax_filter=”” tabs_content_type=”deferred” paginate=”none” pagination-show-label=”0″ pagination-slides-count=”3″ slider-animation-speed=”750″ slider-autoplay=”1″ slider-speed=”3000″ slider-control-dots=”off” slider-control-next-prev=”style-1″ ad-active=”0″ ad-after_each=”” ad-type=”” ad-banner=”none” ad-campaign=”none” ad-count=”” ad-columns=”1″ ad-orderby=”date” ad-order=”ASC” ad-align=”left” bs-show-desktop=”1″ bs-show-tablet=”1″ bs-show-phone=”1″ custom-css-class=”” custom-id=”” override-listing-settings=”0″ listing-settings=”” bs-text-color-scheme=”” css=””][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1594697216061{margin-bottom: -10% !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”5.0″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:60|text_align:right|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″ offset=”vc_hidden-sm vc_hidden-xs”][vc_custom_heading text=”Out of” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594696759538{padding-top: 10px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”5 Stars” font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:22|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594697016740{margin-top: -6px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;}”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1594780415864{margin-bottom: -10% !important;margin-left: -4% !important;}” offset=”vc_hidden-lg vc_hidden-md”][vc_custom_heading text=”5.0″ font_container=”tag:h2|font_size:45|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Montserrat%3Aregular%2C700|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css=”.vc_custom_1594784592259{margin-bottom: -1% !important;}”][vc_column_text]
Out of
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