Two free workshops at UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center will teach families and friends how to manage the challenges of caring for brain tumor patients at home.

The sessions will highlight critical care-giving skills including home safety, legal and insurance issues, how to help a brain tumor patient manage disease symptoms and side effects of treatment, and how to communicate effectively with the patient’s medical team.

The panel of speakers will include a neuro-oncologist, a neuropsychologist, an attorney specializing in legal and insurance issues, a physical therapist, a nurse, and clinical social workers.

Sponsors of the sessions are the UCLA Neuro-Oncology Program at the Jonsson Cancer Center, the National Brain Tumor Foundation, Home Care Companions, the UCLA Oncology Center, and the departments of Radiation Oncology and Social Work at the UCLA School of Medicine.

“When you eat at night, you don’t burn it off and you’ll gain weight!” We’ve heard it over and over again, and by now most of us have come to believe it. But, is it true?

The reasoning makes sense. When we eat late in the day, we don’t have time to burn off the calories before going to sleep, so they must be stored. If fact, doctors have warned against high-fat evening meals, telling us the increased blood levels of fat can increase the risk of a heart attack.

Another reason for avoiding late-night eating is that it can make sound sleep difficult for some people. During sleep, the body is busy repairing and replacing damaged cells. So, if digestion is taking a lot of energy, how can the necessary cell renewal take place?

Recent studies dispute all of this. They say late-night eating is harmless. It does not lead to weight gain and does not impede any bodily processes. However, we do know the combination of fats with sugar leads to fat storage. That fact is not currently being challenged.

Okay. So, what is correct? The best advice is this: Any late eating should be limited to relatively low-fat foods. Large amounts of protein are probably not appropriate, but reasonable portions are acceptable. Carbohydrates should be of the complex genre. High-sugar foods should be avoided. Any food consumed should be eaten in moderation. The idea is to satisfy hunger without over-eating.

Some examples of good nighttime snacks include:

Cheese and crackers
Toast with peanut butter
Carrot or celery sticks with low-fat dip
Cereal with low or non-fat milk (soy milk is the best choice)

So, if the urge strikes, listen to your body. Eat, but choose wisely. Here’s to your good health!

A chemical called octyl methoxycinnamate, or OMC, is found in more than 90 percent of sunscreen products and filters out damaging ultraviolet rays. But Norwegian scientists found that when they combined OMC in the lab with simulated sunlight, it killed animal cells, prompting suspicion on what it may do to humans.

The troubling finding, according to these scientists, is that OMC itself is a very important component in sunscreen. Yet, when it is combined with light, the byproduct is twice as toxic than OMC alone.

Some American scientists say this study should not discourage patients from using sunscreen. They say that you’re putting sunscreen outside of skin on the dead layer of surface, therefore not penetrating or harming the skin at all. Another reason to hold on to your bottle of sunscreen is that this is only a lab study. Even the Norwegian scientists insist that this should only raise a “small alarm.” People are more protected with sunscreen than without.

The American Cancer Society estimates that there are one million new cases of skin cancer diagnosed every year, resulting in nearly 10,000 deaths.

If you suffer with hay fever, during certain times of the year you are acutely aware that the pollen count is high: your body signals this fact with the misery of swollen sinuses, a hacking cough, nasal drainage and red, itchy eyes.

Hay fever is only one of several types of allergies that can affect your health profoundly. But what causes these “immune system alarms” and what can be done to feel better?

Definition

Allergies can be caused by many substances, including food, medications, insect stings, and pollen to name a few. But they all have a similar cause: an over-reactive immune system.

Our immune systems are vigilant against any foreign invaders, and will react vigorously to repel potentially harmful substances such as viruses, bacteria, or toxins by producing antibodies. But in some people, the immune system reacts to substances that are not harmful such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander (called “allergens”) in the same manner. This activates the antibody Immunoglobulin E, or IgE, to start a series of reactions that end with the release of histamine.

Histamines cause the blood vessels to dilate, increase mucous production, and also stimulate the production of tears, causing many of the symptoms that we associate with allergies (watery eyes and a runny nose).

There appears to be a genetic component to being predisposed to allergies. If one parent has allergies, then one out of three of their children will have allergies; but if both parents are allergic, then seven out of ten of their children will have allergies.

Allergy Symptoms

These will vary, with individuals. Some people suffer with hay fever (stuffed nasal passages with drainage and discharge, itching of the ears or the roof of the mouth).

Others deal with allergic skin reactions such as eczema (dry, flaky, skin that may have fluid filled bumps) or contact dermatitis (red, itchy skin such as occurs with exposure to poison ivy). Hives may occur, which are raised white bumps that are surrounded by a red, inflamed area.

If an allergy causes the muscles of the respiratory tract to tighten up and the breathing tubes to become inflamed, then asthma can occur, with a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and chest tightness or pain some of the symptoms.

The eyes can be affected by allergies, with reactions such as allergic conjunctivitis causing red, watery, itchy eyes and eyelids.

Anaphylaxis is the most severe form of allergic reaction (it has been described as an “immune system reaction gone wild”), and can be life-threatening. The symptoms can include tingling of the palms, soles of the feet, or lips; light-headedness; a metallic taste in the mouth, hives, bloating, chest tightness, anxiety, and generalized warmth or flushing of the skin. It can progress to difficulty breathing, seizures, irregular heart rhythms, and finally unconsciousness and shock in some cases.

These symptoms can occur anywhere from five minutes after exposure to an allergen to several hours after exposure; and in some individuals the symptoms go away and then return hours later. Anaphylaxis always needs immediate emergency medical attention because of the potential for life threatening symptoms. Some of the more common causes of anaphylaxis include certain foods (such as shellfish), medications, insect stings, or latex.

Types of Allergies

There are several categories of allergies, including:

Inhalation allergies are caused by inhaling airborne pollens from plants such as ragweed trees, or grass/weed.

Food allergies: These normally occur in young children and are often outgrown. The reaction can range from mild, with some itching or swelling of the lips or tongue, to moderate with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and hoarseness, to a severe reaction that can cause anaphylaxis and shock. Common triggers include wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, soy, milk and seafood.

Chemical allergies can be triggered by exposure to certain chemicals such as cleaning agents, cosmetics, perfumes, hair spray, or soaps. Latex allergies are a type of chemical allergy caused by exposure to latex products such as gloves, condom, or other latex/rubber based items that occurs in health care workers and those with frequent exposure to latex rubber products.

Insect stings are caused by insects such as bees, hornets, wasps, or fire ant and can cause a reaction that ranges from itching and redness to anaphylaxis.

Medications can also cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Common medications that cause this include penicillin and sulfa drugs.

Diagnosis

A physician can diagnose allergies by using several methods. He will first take a complete medical history that includes any exposures to offending substances

Skin testing involves pricking the skin on the arm or back with a needle containing a solution that contains diluted concentrations of up to 40 to 50 allergens.

Blood tests can analyze a person’s blood for antibodies to certain allergens.

Food elimination involves eliminating certain foods from the diet, to determine which one(s) could be the cause of a food allergy.

Treatment

Some individuals get better over time from their allergies without treatment. This may be in part because over time, their immune system learns to tolerate the allergen, although in many cases, the allergy is dormant and could recur later in life.

Avoiding the allergen is one way to help relieve allergy symptoms. This can include running air conditioning, vacuuming frequently and cleaning out air filters, and staying indoors during peak pollen times.

If an animal is causing the allergy, you may need to make the difficult decision about whether to keep the pet or not. If you do keep your pet, then frequent bathing (twice a week), regular grooming, and making sure that your pet does not sleep in your bedroom can help.

Avoiding offending foods will stop the symptoms of food allergy.

Medication is helpful for some people in finding relief from symptoms.

There are many medicines used to treat allergies, and just a few are:

Antihistamines: this includes over-the counter preparations such as Benadryl (which can cause drowsiness), and newer prescription medications such as Claritin which don’t cause sleepiness in most people.

Antihistamines can also cause a dry mouth, dry eyes, constipation, and difficulty urinating. They can also cause restlessness, nervousness, or irritability in sensitive individuals. Before self-treating with over- the -counter medications, it is best to check with your doctor first, since certain infections such as sinusitis and rhinitis (common colds) can mimic the symptoms of an allergy.

Decongestants work by shrinking blood vessels, which helps to decrease the amount of congestion and fluid leakage in affected areas such as the nose. Some medications contain a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant. While a nasal spray or drops can relieve congestion, they should not be used more than three or four days in a row, or a “rebound effect” can cause increased nasal congestion when a person stops using them.

Corticosteroids work by decreasing the inflammatory response. This reduces swelling and congestion in areas such as the nose and airways, and can relieve the symptoms of asthma. They can be taken in several forms, including by inhalation (for asthma) or as a nasal spray (rhinocort) to relieve nasal congestions. The nasal form does not have the rebound effect that decongestants do and can be safely used for a longer period of time.

Another treatment for allergies is immunization against allergens by injection with allergens (“allergy shots”). This is usually done for someone with severe allergies who has not responded to other forms of treatment. These shots are given weekly, with gradually increasing doses of the allergen to desensitize the person. This process can be lengthy, with a year or two of shots needed before knowing if the shots will help, and then up to seven years of shots to create long-lasting tolerance to the allergen. But for many people this regime of desensitization is worth relief from their allergies.

You will learn soon why these organs are vital for detoxification. Bodily detoxification may involve cleansing of the bowels, kidneys, lungs, liver or blood, as these organs are all involved in eliminating chemicals and toxins from the body. Foreign substances and other wastes are filtered through the liver, which removes them from the bloodstream. Your lungs remove toxic gases, and your kidneys filter waste out of your blood into your urine.

The body is created to digest natural materials, such as foods, herbs and phytochemicals. The immune system will be bothered by all foreign substances because they have the job of substance removal. While a chemical’s toxicity may vary, the liver’s function is to break toxins down into compounds that the body can safely tolerate and eliminate via the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs (as exhaled air), and bowels (as feces). These elimination organs must stay in good condition so people can continue to be healthy.

Even though there are a lot of detoxification plans out there, they vary according to how they function. Just the bowels are cleansed with some detoxification programs (DP), but other programs might purify the skin, liver, kidneys or blood. By including these detox plans with a complete health program, people can have the best health standard as well as have a more youthful appearance. As the body removes toxins, health returns and you will feel more energy. While the many detoxification and wellness techniques strike at the problem in different ways, they often all work well. Any program that helps detoxification will help your health. Other elements come into play in detoxification, such as nutrition, water, exercise, rest, sunshine and fresh air.

Weight loss can also be concerning. This may indicate that your condition is worsening or the medication you are taking is adversely affecting your metabolism. Some of the medication taken for the treatment of inflammatory forms of arthritis can cause stomach nausea and other conditions that may lead to a suppressed appetite. Weight loss may be a side effect of this problem. Also a complication with some forms of treatment may lead to weight loss; muscle wasting and bone loss. Therefore everyone should try to maintain a well balanced diet and get plenty of weight bearing activity in there daily routine.

Sleep deprivation is also another health concern for people who have arthritis. The cause of sleep disturbance can vary from pain, stiffness, medication complications, muscle spasms, and chemical imbalances in the brain. Whatever the cause, it is important to identify it and take some positive steps toward reducing the effects. The pain and stiffness can be caused by the disease process and can be somewhat elevated by activity, medication, heat, cold, massage or a combination of several of these treatment options. If your medication is the problem, then reviewing your medication with your doctor may be of help. Sometimes eating something to coat the stomach before taking the night dose of medication can reduce the ill effects. Whatever the cause, getting a good night sleep is very important for the body to repair itself and to have the stamina to meet the demands of a daily routine.

Another area that should be evaluated is function. Has function been maintained throughout the year? If function has been lost, then you need to find out why and what can be done to regain that function or compensate for it. If the function is something like going up and down stairs or getting in and out of a car, those can usually be improved with some proper strength training and the use of assistive devices. If loss of function is due to a joint deformity then corrective splints or supportive devices can be helpful. Maintaining function is vital to remaining independent. Staying functional is something that people with arthritis have to work on continually. Continuing with therapy exercises when the formal therapy is over or joining an exercise class structured for people with arthritis can help maintain and often times ever improve someone function. But to remain as functional as possible involves daily work.

How has social activity changed? Do you continue to keep an active social life or have you started to give up some old familiar activities? It is important to try and sustain an active social life. Being socially active keeps a person from centering all their thoughts and actions on their disease. Socializing is a form of distraction. It can also be a source of pleasure from doing activities that make people happy. It gets people out of the house and involved in society instead of focusing on them selves. This creates a healthy attitude toward every day life.

What are the expectations for the coming year? It might be a good time to sit down and decide what things or tasks, or projects are important to accomplish in the next 12 months. That may include moving to a new residence where every day functioning would be easier, improving on your eating habits to help maintain a good body weight, planning a vacation now instead of waiting for a couple years down the road, making some home improvements that will enable you to remain more functional, or taking on a new exercise program that will prepare you for some activity you been wanting to do, like hiking or rock climbing or skiing. This is a great time to set a timetable up and figure out what you need to do on a weekly or daily basis to reach your goals. Maybe you will need to readjust your schedule or rearrange your daily routine to meet the demands of your new goals. Once you have your schedule organized than try to stick to it as closely as possible. Then when January of 2010 rolls around you will be able to look back and feel great about all that you have accomplished during the year. And if you have been conscientious about sticking with your plan, I am sure you will be feeling better and functioning better with your arthritis.

How effective is your medical therapy in controlling symptoms? Have you been able to reduce your weight if that was a concern? How are your sleeping and eating habits? What is your activity level like compared to a year ago? What is your social life like today? What are your expectations for the coming year concerning your arthritis?

Arthritis, like many of the other chronic conditions people get, can drastically affect your life. Since most forms of arthritis are progressive, each person must establish management plans to help control symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. When our lives are full and busy, it is sometimes hard to establish a plan and even harder to stick to it once established. But like most things in life whether it is a job, a task around the house or simply a chore that needs to be done, we need to do some planning to include these activities into our day or the jobs won’t get done. The same concept applies with managing a chronic disease. Without a plan the job rarely gets done and your health and welfare will suffer.

So, how does one go about establishing a plan to manage arthritis? The first thing to do is sit down and assesses your present condition. Write down the answers to some of the questions above to help you decide where you need to do some work. In some areas, you may just need to make some minor adjustments, but in other areas you may need to do more work. This is the reason you write these things down, so later on you can review you’re “to do” list and see how much you have accomplished.

Now lets take a look at some key areas that should be included in your management plan and how you can improve upon them.

Evaluate your present condition. Has the arthritis progressed into other joints? If you have an inflammatory form of arthritis it is not uncommon for the disease to continue to progress into more joints as time goes on. If you are having symptoms in additional joints, this may be an indication that your medical therapy may need some adjustment. It also may indicate you are over stressing the unaffected joints to relieve the discomfort of the affected joints. Since most inflammatory forms of arthritis do progress you will most likely not be able to avoid this completely, but hopefully you would have some impact on slowing the progression. If you have been taking the same medicines for several years to relieve the symptoms of your arthritis, you might want to make a visit back to your doctor for a new evaluation. In the past couple of years several new medications have become available to help control the symptoms and the progression of some forms of inflammatory arthritis.

Using your joints wisely can also reduce the chance of overstressing the unaffected joints. Try to maintain good posture throughout the day. Use correct form for bending and lifting. Maintain a neutral joint position when doing tasks that require holding positions for long periods of time. Try to change body positions often to avoid becoming stiff or developing spasms in surrounding muscles.

to be continued…

The RICE method should be applied with great alacrity.

R is for Rest – Work the affected area as minimally as possible. That may be easier said than done if the ankle or knee is the affected area. Recuperation for the injured area will accelerate with less activity.

I is for Ice – An ice compress can serve as an emollient and a means to lessen swelling. Keep the ice on the afflicted area for 10 to 15 minutes at a time.

C is for compression – Wrapping an ace bandage around an injured area is referred to as compression. While it should be tight enough, it should still allow the blood to circulate properly.

E is for Elevate – Elevating the injured area so that it is above the level of the heart helps alleviate swelling. It is possible to elevate ankles and knees by lying down and utilizing a pillow. Arm and wrist elevation may be facilitated with a sling.

There are other effective methods of treating sprains and strains.

Use an anti-inflammatory medication. Some help can be obtained by using over-the-counter ibuprofen. Make certain that the instructions provided on the label are followed.

Sprains may also be successfully treated via aromatherapy. Try placing several drops of lavender, chamomile, or rosemary on a cold compress before applying it to the affected area. Helichrysum can serve as a topical anodyne for the affected area. It can also effectively lessen bruising.

A primary concern when treating sprains and strains is the speedy application of first aid. The sooner ice is applied to the injury and the affected area is elevated, the better.

If you think a bone is broken, obtain medical assistance. Check to see if blood is circulating and if the person can move the affected area. It is not always possible to tell if a bone is broken just by looking at the affected area. However, an x-ray will definitively indicate whether or not a fracture has occurred.

If you are uncertain about something, always obtain medical care. Your health care provider may be able to detect less visible problems, and lack of treatment may only exacerbate the injury.

The wide availability of over-the-counter laxatives creates the potential for self-diagnosis and treatment of constipation without consulting a health professional. Frequently, constipation may be caused by irritable bowel disease but it may also be associated with neurological diseases or systemic diseases, or it may be drug-induced. These problems require primary treatment independent of symptomatic treatment with laxatives. Therefore, indiscriminate use of laxatives is not recommended5.

Laxatives can be classified according to their mechanism of action. There are six classes: emollient, saline, hyperosmotic, lubricant, bulk forming and stimulant laxatives1,3,5. Emollient laxatives, such as docusate sodium, are surfactants, which increase the wetting capacity of intestinal fluids and soften fecal mass. Saline laxatives, made up of inorganic salts such as magnesium sulfate, draw water into the gut by their osmotic action that increases the water content and volume of the stool. Lactulose, a sugar, is a hyperosmotic laxative that exerts an osmotic effect similar to that of saline laxatives. Mineral oil is a lubricant laxative that facilitates the passage of fecal matter through the gut due to its lubricant properties.

This article will focus on vegetable laxatives, most of which are categorized into bulk-forming and stimulant laxatives. Bulk-forming laxatives are natural and semi-synthetic hydrophilic polysaccharides and cellulose derivatives that dissolve or swell in intestinal fluid, forming emollient gels that facilitate passage of the intestinal contents and stimulate peristalsis. The natural stimulant laxatives contain anthraquinone derivatives or are made up of products containing castor oil.

The theories behind the mechanism of action of stimulant laxatives have changed over time. They were first believed to act by increasing the propulsive peristaltic activity of the intestine by local irritation of the mucosa1. It is surmised that these laxatives increase the colonic formation of histamine, serotonin and prostaglandins. The prostaglandins appear to be the most important mediators in the development of increased mass movement and secretion of water and electrolytes associated with these drugs2.

BULK-FORMING LAXATIVES

Dietary Changes: In the majority of cases, modifying the diet by increasing the fiber intake will increase the stool bulk, water retention and the rate of stool transit, which in turn will increase the frequency of defecation. Dietary or plant fibers may be classified into water-soluble or water-insoluble fibers. The water-soluble fibers include pectin-like compounds, gums and storage polysaccharides. The water-insoluble fibers include cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin that are the most useful in relieving constipation. Wheat products are the most widely recognized food source of insoluble fiber in the American diet, although vegetables and fruits also contain significant amounts. Foods such as wheat bran that are high in insoluble dietary fiber are most efficacious in maintaining regularity. References to foods high in fiber are available in most libraries 1,4.

Psyllium Husk: Psyllium husk sold commercially comes from the seeds of the Indian psyllium or blond psyllium, Plantago ovata Forsk (Family: Plantaginaceae) but often includes black psyllium or Spanish psyllium, P. arenaria Waldst. & Kit. and other species. A physicochemical process is used to remove the mucilaginous layer (husk) from the seed coat6. Commercial preparations in the U.S. containing only psyllium husk include MetamucilR, KonsylR while others such as PerdiemR contain a combination of senna and psyllium. Inexpensive generic preparations are also available.

Gums and Mucilages: Gums are often classified as pathological products (e.g. gum tragacanth is produced in response to injury to the plant) while mucilages are physiological products (e.g. the mucilage produced naturally in psyllium seeds). A variety of gums have been used in conjunction with other laxatives. They have bulk-forming properties but are often used as emulsifying agents. Gum tragacanth and gum arabic, are obtained from Astragalus gummifer Labillardiere and Acacia senegal L., respectively (Family: Fabaceae). Agar, obtained from the seaweed Gelidium cartilagineum L. (Family: Gelidiaceae), has been used in conjunction with other polysaccharides. Other gums and mucilages used as laxatives or in combination with other laxatives include karaya gum from Sterculia urens Roxburgh (Family: Sterculiaceae), guar gum from Cyamopsis tetragonolobu Taubert (Family: Fabaceae), and Irish Moss from the sea weed Chondrus crispus L. (Family: Gigartinaceae)6.

Cellulose and Cellulose Derivatives: Cellulose and its derivatives such as methylcellulose are prepared from fibrous plant materials. Products containing methylcellulose such as CitrucelR are used alone as bulk-forming laxatives or in combination with other laxatives.

Barley Malt Extract: Malt extract sold as MaltsupexR is prepared from an artificially germinated grain of one or more varieties of barley, Hordeum vulgare L. (Family: Gramineae). It is relatively safe and often administered to infants suffering from constipation.

STIMULANT LAXATIVES.

Anthraquinone Derivatives: The anthraquinone glycosides found in plants referred to below are hydrolyzed by colonic bacteria into the active compounds. A number of these anthraquinone glycosides are found in the fruits and leaves of senna, cascara sagrada (Spanish for sacred bark), buckthorn bark, roots and rhizomes of rhubarb, and dried juice or latex from the leaves of aloe. The cathartic effect of the anthraquinones occurs primarily on the colon, 8 to 12 hours after administration of the drug1.

Senna: Senna extracts and its active principles, the sennosides A & B, are prepared from the dried leaves and the seed pods of Cassia acutifolia Delile, known in commerce as Alexandria senna, or from C. angustifolia Vahl, known commercially as Tinnevelly senna, (Family: Fabaceae)6. Senna is available in various dosage forms. To mention a few, it is sold as tablets, granules, and suppositories by the trade name SenokotR, in liquid form as Fletcher’s CastoriaR and in the form of tablets containing pure glycosides under the name Ex-Lax Gentle NatureR.

Cascara sagrada: The name cascara sagrada in Spanish means sacred bark. Its extractive casanthrol is obtained from the aged dried bark of Rhamnus purshianus DeCandolle (Family: Rhamnaceae), a plant indigenous to the North West of the U.S.6. During the one- year aging process the powerful cathartic glycosides are converted to its milder forms. Cascara is available as a generic product in form of tablets or in liquid form as Cascara Sagrada Aromatic Fluid Extract, or in capsules, as a combination of casanthrol and docusate sodium.

Buckthorn: Buckthorn or Frangula bark is obtained from Rhamnus frangula L. (Family: Rhamnaceae) that resembles the cascara bark in its laxative properties but is milder. The bark as well as the fluid extract of the buckthorn bark is commonly used in Europe6.

Other Anthraquinone Drugs: Miscellaneous drugs containing anthraquinone glycosides include rhubarb and aloe. Rhubarb is obtained from the roots and rhizomes of Rheum officinale Baillon & other Rheum species (Fam: Polygonaceae). Aloin from aloe is the latex obtained from the outer pericyclic cells of the leaf of Aloe vera L. & other Aloe species (Family: Liliaceae)6. Aloin must not be confused with the aloe-gel that is obtained from the inner parenchymatous cells of the aloe leaf and is used topically. Rhubarb and aloe are no longer prescribed as laxatives in the U.S. because of their very irritating and drastic cathartic effects.

Castor Oil: It is the purified fixed oil obtained from the seeds of Ricinus communis L. (Family: Euphorbiaceae). The oil is composed mostly of triricinolein that on hydrolysis in the intestine yields ricinoleic acid and glycerol. Ricinoleic acid is the principle responsible for colonic mobility6. Castor oil produces evacuation within 2-6 hours after oral administration. Although not commonly used, it is available in suspension form in products such as NeoloidR.

* The parotid glands are located in front of and below each ear. The disease known as mumps especially affects these glands.

* The submaxillary glands are located about an inch in front of and below the angle of the lower jaw.

* The sublingual glands are under the tongue. These glands secrete saliva, which reaches the mouth through tubes called ducts.

Salivary glands function to secrete saliva, to keep the mouth moist, help to soften food and assist in digestion. Saliva is also secreted by the buccal glands, in the cheeks near the front of the mouth.

Disorders:
The salivary glands are affected more often than the other glands in inflammatory infections. Particularly when mumps, a virus infection is present. In the days before antibiotics, infected parotid glands containing pus were seen sometimes as a complication of major surgery. This condition known as parotitis is now a rare event.
Occasionally a stone can block the submaxillary duct leading into the mouth. Symptoms would include swelling, pain and tenderness aggravated by chewing. Sometimes the doctor will be able to feel the stone and most will show up in an x-ray. If a stone is present it will usually have to be removed surgically under local anesthesia. Even after removal, some stones have a tendency to occur again.

Sometimes an abscess forms in the submaxillary gland in which a simple incision and drainage of the abscess is needed along with a course of antibiotics. These infections in the gland can be quite painful and often feel like the mumps.

Tumors:
Tumors of the salivary glands are common; particularly a type called “mixed tumors.” These tumors involve the parotid glands. The doctor will be able to tell if a tumor is present by palpitation of the neck.

Even though tumors of the parotid gland are usually benign, about one in five may reappear. The tumors grow gradually and are encircled by a capsule. Many of them are movable beneath the skin and should only be done so by the doctor.

On the other hand, malignant tumors of the salivary glands grow quickly and more or less cling to the skin and surrounding tissues. If a person does have to have one of his salivary glands surgically removed, it should not interfere with digestion or even the amount of saliva production. Fortunately, this type of malignancy is rare.