Problems with Salivation Flashcards
what is the function of saliva?
- acid buffering
- mucosal lubrication for speech and swallowing
- taste facilitation
- antibacterial
what are some causes of a dry mouth?
- salivary gland disease
- drugs
- medical conditions & dehydration
- radiotherapy & cancer treatments
- anxiety & somatisation disorders
what salivary changes occur as patients age?
Acinar tissue loss leading to dry mouth
- 37% submandibular
- 32% parotid
what are some common drugs that can cause a dry mouth?
- tricyclic antidepressants
- antipsychotics
- antihistamine
- atropine
- diuretics
- cytotoxics
what chronic medical problems can lead to indirect salivary problems via dehydration?
- diabetes
- renal disease
- stroke
- addison’s disease
- persistant vomiting
what are examples of problems that affect the salivary glands directly?
- aplasia
- sarcoidosis
- HIV disease
- gland infiltration
- cystic fibrosis
what acute medical problems can indirectly cause salivary problems via dehydration?
- burns
- vesiculobullous disease
- haemorrhage
what is ectodermal dysplasia?
a disorder in which the glands do not form properly
how does sarcoidosis affect saliva glands?
enlargement of parotid & submandibular glands
how can HIV disease affect salivary glands?
increase in bulk of salivary glands alongside reduction in function
how does amyloidosis affect salivary glands?
deposition of protein within the salivary glands which prevents the glands from functioning properly
how does haemachromatosis affect salivary glands?
excess storage of iron within salivary glands which affects function
what scale can be used to assess oral dryness?
Challacombe Scale of Oral Dryness
what investigations should be done to a patient with suspected salivary disease?
- blood tests
- imaging
- biopsy
