Practically Active

Plugged salivary gland a swelling event

Unless someone like you cares a whole lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

-- Dr. Seuss

Every year since 1943 our president has proclaimed March "Red Cross Month" to honor the people who help fulfill the American Red Cross mission.

But any month is a good month to help. Whether we donate money or blood, or volunteer, our support makes a difference.

The Red Cross recently introduced RapidPass, a website that starts the blood-donation process from your home or office, saving time at the donation site. Using the site doesn't replace making an appointment. You'll still need to schedule one.

What RapidPass does is allow the donor to answer the usual questions beforehand and then print or download the pass to your phone. Then it's just a matter of presenting it along with your identification when you give.

To check it out go to redcrossblood.org/rapidpass.

NOW WHAT?!

I've written about my dental woes over the last couple of months. I was just sure things were finally on an even keel, when lo and behold another issue reared its head -- in my mouth.

Over the span of a day a couple of weeks ago, my right cheek became swollen. The skin felt tight and it was painful, and I was afraid an infection might have cropped up.

I called my wonderful dentist's office, explained the situation and they fit me in. After my dentist did some squeezing, prodding and looking, the conclusion was I might have a blockage of some sort, possibly of a salivary duct. He put me on a round of antibiotics and a steroid.

I wanted to know more.

According to the website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (nlm.nih.gov), there are these things called salivary duct stones.

The salivary glands are found in and around the mouth and throat. The major three are the parotid, submandibular and sublingual. They all secrete saliva -- the parotid through tubes called salivary ducts near the upper teeth, the submandibular under the tongue, and the sublingual through ducts on the floor of the mouth.

These glands produce saliva, the watery substance that lubricates the mouth and starts the digestion process. Chemicals in saliva can form a hard crystal that can block the duct. When saliva cannot exit the blocked duct, it backs up into the gland. That is why it swells.

There could be other reasons for obstructions, too, like scar tissue, foreign bodies, mucous plugs or abnormal cell growth.

Risk factors that raise the chance of gland stones include an infection, dehydration, the use of water pills, injury to the duct, gout or a history of smoking.

Symptoms include dry mouth, problems opening the mouth or swallowing, pain in the face or mouth, and swelling of the face or neck, which can be severe when eating or drinking.

If you find yourself with this problem, your health care provider or dentist will do an exam of the head or neck. Tests like X-rays, ultrasound, or an MRI or CT scan can be done as well.

There are steps that can be taken at home too. Try drinking lots of water and using sugar-free lemon drops to increase saliva.

Using heat, preferably moist, and massaging the cheek can help. Or your dentist or doctor may be able to push the stone out of the duct, which probably will not feel good. If the stone does become infected, surgery to remove the salivary gland would be the last resort.

Facial stones! Who knew?

Email me at:

rboggs@arkansasonline.com

ActiveStyle on 03/27/2017

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