Diseases causing increased saliva viscosity and their treatment

Saliva is one of the most important secretory fluids produced by the body. A healthy person produces up to 2 liters of saliva per day. In the presence of health problems, an increase in the degree of viscosity of saliva may be observed: it becomes thick and sticky, in some cases white foam and mucus appear.

Such symptoms require careful attention. It is necessary to find out the causes of their appearance as early as possible and start treatment.

Determination of the degree of viscosity

An increased level of salivary fluid viscosity can be determined based on subjective sensations. But in order to confirm the diagnosis, you should undergo a laboratory examination. For this purpose, a viscometer is used.

At home, you can use a micropipette. Algorithm of actions:

1. First, 1 ml of water is taken into the pipette, kept in an upright position and the amount of liquid that will flow out of the pipette in 10 seconds is monitored. The procedure is repeated 3 times and the results are recorded.
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2. Calculate the average volume of leaked water: add all the results and divide the resulting number by 3.
3. After that, the same procedure should be carried out with salivary fluid. The secret is collected in the morning on an empty stomach. Determine the average volume of leaked saliva according to the above formula.
4. At the end, the ratio of the average volume of spilled water to the average volume of saliva flowed out is calculated. This number will be an indication of the degree of viscosity.

At a normal rate, the number of viscosity levels varies between 1.5-4 cp (in the case of using distilled water).

Causes

Often, increased saliva viscosity is a signal of health problems and is accompanied by other suspicious signs. After analyzing the whole complex of symptoms, you can determine the disease.

Malfunctions of the salivary glands

The presence of a problem of this kind is indicated by the appearance of thick salivary fluid and frothy mucus in the morning. There may be a slight tingling of the tongue. There is a constant presence of dryness on the lips and mouth.

The main causes of malfunctioning of the salivary glands:

• diseases of the salivary glands (such as mumps, Mikulich's disease, sialostasis, sialadenitis). In this case, there is an increase in the size of the glands and their soreness. The amount of secretion produced is reduced. The complete extinction of this function is possible;
• cystic fibrosis - the glands of external secretion are affected;
• scleroderma: a symptom such as proliferation of the connective tissue of the mucous membranes is added to the viscous saliva;
• lack of retinol (vitamin A). There is an increase in the volume of epithelial tissue, clogging of the lumen of the ducts of the salivary glands;
• injury to the salivary glands, which leads to rupture of tissues and ducts. It is an indication for surgery;
• damage to nerve fibers in the head and neck region due to injury or surgery;
• complete removal of the salivary gland (due to sialoadenitis, salivary stone disease, benign neoplasm or cyst);
• possibly extinction of the function of the salivary glands in the presence of HIV infection. It is accompanied by a general depletion of the body.

Dehydration of the body

This is the second most common cause of increased saliva viscosity. It develops due to insufficient amount of water consumption. The daily rate is 1.5-2 liters of liquid per day.

Dehydration can also be caused by intense sweating.

This problem is familiar to heavy smokers. They experience dehydration due to intoxication. Viscous saliva may be the only sign of dehydration.

ENT diseases

This group includes diseases such as tonsillitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, influenza, respiratory infection. In the presence of tonsillitis, lumps form in the tonsil area. As the infection develops, pus-filled blisters form. Over time, they rupture and pain and discomfort develops in the throat. All this is accompanied by an elevated temperature and dehydration, which reduces the amount of secretion produced.

In chronic sinusitis, viscous saliva is combined with other symptoms: thick sputum, odor from the mouth, migraine, fever.

Influenza and respiratory infection have all the hallmarks of a cold.

Other reasons

The problem of saliva viscosity can be caused by other pathological or natural processes. This phenomenon is often familiar to pregnant women. During this period, the body's water-salt balance, the balance of trace elements, and the frequency of urination are disturbed.

An increase in viscosity is caused by the following reasons:

1. Periodontitis and periodontal disease (inflammation of the gum tissue). In the presence of damaged epithelium, its elements mix with salivary fluid and form white thick mucus.
2. The presence of acute infectious diseases: typhoid fever, dysentery, hepatitis.
3. Availability xerostomias (increased level of dryness of the mouth). The following symptoms are characteristic: a hardened surface of the tongue, bad breath, decreased sensitivity of taste buds, a burning sensation and a sore throat. At the same time, the process of salivation stops, and the level of its viscosity rises.
4. Fungal (candidal) stomatitis. The development of this disease can cause a whole range of reasons: lowered immunity, taking antibiotics and corticosteroids, household contact with a carrier of the virus. In the presence of candidiasis, there is a metallic taste and odors from the mouth, difficulty in swallowing food, itchy sensations in the mouth, and the viscosity of saliva.
5. Malfunctions of the endocrine system during pregnancy, menopause, puberty.
6. Insufficient air humidity. With a moisture deficit, the mucous membrane quickly dries up, and the process of thickening of saliva begins. It is accompanied by a wet cough.
7. Smoking. Cigarette smoke irritates the mucous membrane, which increases the amount of phlegm produced. Smokers often complain of a foreign object sensation in their throat.
8. The presence of diabetes mellitus.

In order to find out the exact reason for the increased viscosity of saliva, you need to see a doctor. He will diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

Diagnostics

Determination of the source of saliva viscosity is carried out using the following diagnostic methods:

• examination and study of anamnesis - the doctor carefully examines the area of ​​the abdomen, neck, lymph nodes and thyroid gland;
• conducting a general and biochemical blood test, bacterial sputum culture;
• listening with a stethoscope;
• pharyngoscopic examination of mucous membranes;
• studying the state of the larynx using laryngoscopy;
• if there is a suspicion of the presence of pathologies of the nasal structure, an x-ray is prescribed;
• checking the state of the gastrointestinal tract using ultrasound and FGS.

In some cases, you may need the help of narrowly specialized specialists: a neurologist, otolaryngologist, oncologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist.

Medical treatment

The liquefaction process should be complex - first of all, it is necessary to eliminate the main cause of the appearance of pathology. In addition to this, the doctor prescribes medications. Tools are used that perform the following functions:

• mucolytic;
• reflex;
• resorptive.

Mucolytic drugs thin saliva without increasing the amount of saliva produced. With their help, you can activate the process of excretion of sputum. Such medicines include Mukaltin, Bronchikum, Linkas, Ambroxol.

Reflex medicine stimulates nerve endings and helps to normalize the respiratory process. Such drugs cause muscle contraction, which helps to clear mucus from the respiratory organs. They are used in combination with mucolytic agents. Reflex drugs include Alteika, Stopussin, Termopsol.

Resorptive agents have a local effect on phlegm and dilute it, but the volume of production also increases. Preparations are made on the basis of potassium iodide, ammonium chloride, sodium hydrochloride. Not suitable for the treatment of young children.

In the case where the exact cause of the increased viscosity level has not yet been established, but the symptom gives the patient discomfort, you should consult a dentist.

Such treatment will be symptomatic and its main goal is to restore the optimal consistency of salivary fluid. Shows the use of sprays and gels for moisturizing the oral cavity and drinking plenty of fluids. To better stimulate the functioning of the salivary glands, dentists recommend chewing gum (without sugar) after every meal.

Inhalation, rinsing, rinsing, compresses, rubbing, breathing exercises can be auxiliary methods of treatment.

In the presence of very thick saliva, sialostasis, or sialadenitis (inflammation of the salivary gland), the dentist prescribes drugs that stimulate the work of the salivary glands (Galantamine, Pyrogenal, Dimexide) and antibiotics (Erythromycin, Penicillin). In the case of an advanced disease, surgical intervention is recommended.

Traditional methods of treatment

In order to thin saliva, you can use traditional medicine recipes. The most effective therapies are:

1. Sea salt: mix with water and gargle every 2-3 hours.
2. Sage: dried leaves (1 tsp. l.) pour a glass of boiled water. Insist 5 minutes and filter. Take 1 glass 3 times a day.
3. Fenugreek: seeds are used to prepare the infusion (1 tbsp. l.), which are ground in a coffee grinder and pour 200 ml of boiling water. Insist for about 7 minutes. The resulting volume of infusion should be drunk during the day.
4. Potatoes: the vegetable is boiled and kneaded. The resulting mass is wrapped in gauze and a compress is made on the throat. Keep the potatoes cool.
5. Calendula: Pour boiling water over the dried herb and brew for 10 minutes. Gargle with the resulting solution.

It should be remembered that traditional medicine methods cannot replace full-fledged treatment. They should be used in combination with medications.

Do not self-medicate! Check with your doctor before starting any method.

Prophylaxis

You can prevent such an unpleasant phenomenon as viscosity and an unpleasant taste of saliva if the following rules are followed:

• drink enough liquid (up to 1.5 liters per day);
• give up bad habits (smoking, alcohol);
• replace coffee with green tea;
• install a humidifier;
• eat right: increase the amount of vegetables, fruits, cereals consumed;
• rinse your mouth with water and salt;
• visit your dentist regularly and treat oral diseases in a timely manner.

An increased viscosity of saliva indicates a health problem. These problems can often be quite serious. Therefore, you should go through a full diagnosis and establish the exact cause. It is with her that the treatment begins.

You cannot prescribe yourself medications on your own - a doctor should do this. Do not overuse traditional medicine recipes: improper adherence to the proportions of raw materials can cause an allergic reaction and aggravate health.