Salivary Gland Inflammation (Sialadenitis): Therapy

General measures

  • For chronic recurrent parotitis (parotid gland inflammation):
    • Regular gland massage at intervals.
    • Sialogoga (salivary drugs) at intervals.
    • Conservative (non-surgical) approach in children.
  • In acute bacterial sialadenitis or sialolithiasis to promote spontaneous stone clearance:
    • Saliva-promoting measures:
      • Sugar-free candies
      • Sugar free chewing gum
      • Sialagoga (pilocarpine, cevimelin)
      • Increased fluid intake
    • Glandular massage
  • For viral sialadenitis:
    • Parotitis epidemica (mumps):
      • Exclusively symptomatic
        • Warm or cold parotid compresses to relieve pain
        • In case of fever, bed rest and physical rest; from 39 ° C calf compresses to lower the temperature.
        • After fever further sparing for one or more days
      • Careful oral hygiene to avoid ascending (ascending) bacterial infection.
      • Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).
      • Alcohol restriction (abstaining from alcohol)
      • Limited caffeine consumption (max. 240 mg caffeine per day; equivalent to 2 to 3 cups of coffee or 4 to 6 cups of green / black tea).
  • For xerostomia (dry mouth), especially in radiogenic (radiation-induced) sialadenitis:
    • Symptomatic
      • Chew stimulation
        • Z. E.g. sugar-free chewing gum
      • Gustatory (“relating to the sense of taste“) stimulation.
        • z. e.g., sugar-free sour lozenges
          • But: increased risk of erosion and caries – can be reduced by fluoride addition.
      • Increased fluid intake
      • Saliva substitutes
    • Caries prophylaxis
      • Regular dental checkup
      • Home fluoridation
    • For drug-induced xerostomia (dry mouth):
      • Review of permanent medications regarding possible effects on the existing disease.
      • If necessary, reduction of medication
      • If necessary, replacement with less xerogenic (dry mouth-causing) preparations.

Conventional non-surgical therapy methods

ENT therapy

  • Hearing evaluation up to 8 weeks after the end of parotitis epidemica (mumps).

Internal therapy

  • For parotitis epidemica
  • In Heerfordt’s syndrome

Ophthalmic therapy

  • For ocular (eye-related) symptoms of Sjögren’s or Sicca syndrome:
    • Ocular moisturizing preparations (see below Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes)/pharmacotherapy).

Rheumatological therapy

  • For Sjögren’s syndrome

Urological therapy

  • Examination of male adolescents and adults in parotitis epidemica (mumps).

Dental therapy

  • For xerostomia (dry mouth) due to sialadenitis:
    • Caries prophylaxis
      • Regular dental checkups
      • Fluoridation
    • Infection prophylaxis (Candida)
    • Caries therapy if necessary

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
    • Daily total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruits (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruits).
    • Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
    • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
  • Observance of the following special dietary recommendations during a febrile illness:
    • Sufficient fluid intake! Since in the course of a febrile illness there is a strong loss of fluids, the fluid intake should be according to the following rule of thumb: for each degree of body temperature above 37 °C, an additional 0.5-1 liters per °C. Teas are best suited.
    • For febrile illnesses, a light full diet is recommended.Within this diet, the following foods and preparation methods should be avoided, as experience has shown that they often cause discomfort:
      • Voluminous and fatty meals
      • Legumes and vegetables such as white cabbage, kale, peppers, sauerkraut, leeks, onions, savoy cabbage, mushrooms.
      • Raw stone and pome fruit
      • Fresh bread, wholemeal bread
      • Hard boiled eggs
      • Carbonated drinks
      • Fried, breaded, smoked, very spicy or very sweet foods.
      • Too cold or too hot food
    • Diet rich in:
      • Vitamins C – Due to the fever may be deficient in vitamin C. In addition, vitamin C is important for the immune system. Foods rich in vitamin C are vegetables such as spinach and fruits (oranges, strawberries, kiwis, currants), which are also well tolerated during an infection.
  • For detailed information on nutritional medicine, please contact us.

Physical therapy (including physiotherapy)