Ever heard of salivary gland stones? Young woman opens up about being diagnosed with the condition; experts discuss warning signs

Have you ever heard about 'stones in salivary glands'? Well, in a shocking incident, a young woman in a lengthy post on LinkedIn shared a tragic story about being diagnosed with stones in her salivary glands.

Sharing a detailed post on LinkedIn, the woman, Aarzoo Snigdha shared how important it is to listen to your body. She mentioned the post she is sharing isn't for sympathy but it is for raising awareness.

In the post, Snigdha highlighted that over the past 15 days, she underwent multiple surgeries to address serious health concerns related to her ear, nose, and salivary glands. However, the issues she was facing were not something that happened suddenly; rather, they were a result of a year-long battle that could have been resolved if the right diagnosis had been conducted.

'My ear ¡°popped" during a flight"¡ªa warning sign

Continuing to share every detail about how the stones in her salivary glands were diagnosed, Snigdha said, in December 2023, when she was on a Europe tour, her ear 'popped' when she was on a flight, and she did not realise the pain that time and tried taking steam, nasal sprays, and ear drops, but nothing worked.

"Back in India, an ENT in Noida prescribed antibiotics, but the discomfort worsened," she added. However, following this, the pain became unbearable, and she visited the doctor, who prescribed her some oral steroids that worked briefly, but within 20 days, the infection returned.

How were stones in salivary glands diagnosed?

Later, after visiting multiple doctors, when nothing worked, she met Dr. Sonam Rathi from Max Hospital, who within minutes diagnosed stones in her salivary glands¡ªsomething no doctor had noticed.

Snigdha stressed and shared the post for awareness because reviewing her CT scans, Dr. Rathi asked her, "Why did you overlook these reports?"

The incident raises concern over stones in salivary glands. Is that possible? Stones in the salivary glands are also known as salivary gland stones or sialoliths. They are quite common, especially in those adults who are over the age of 40. ¡°These stones usually form when the minerals in the saliva build up and also harden inside the salivary ducts. This can significantly block the flow of the saliva. Salivary gland stones can cause swelling, pain, and even infection, especially while eating when the saliva production increases,¡± explains Dr. Manoj Bawaskar, ENT, Apollo Spectra Pune.

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Factors of developing stones in salivary glands

Factors that can alleviate the risk of salivary gland stones include dehydration, not maintaining proper oral hygiene, and taking certain medications that can reduce the flow of saliva. ¡°Most people have salivary gland stones, but they aren¡¯t even aware of them, making it harder to detect them early. Stones that are smaller in size don¡¯t cause any noticeable symptoms. On the other hand, larger stones can cause discomfort, and some may also require treatment,¡± says Dr. Bawaskar.

Risk factors for salivary gland stones include dehydration, a medication that reduces saliva production (e.g., antihistamines, some antidepressants), and diabetes or autoimmune processes like Sjogren's syndrome, which impact the salivary glands. ¡°Chronic inflammation, infection, and/or injury to the salivary glands also contribute to stone development,¡± adds Dr. Shrey Srivastava, Senior Consultant-Internal Medicine, Sharda Hospital.

How do salivary gland stones develop?

Salivary gland stones, or sialoliths, are solidified deposits that crop up within the openings of the salivary glands, exclusively in the submandibular gland. According to Dr. Srivastava, ¡°Salivary gland stones form when minerals in the saliva, calcium specifically, cause precipitation through crystallization over time. The crystallization usually begins when the saliva flow is blocked by dehydration, decreased salivation, and thickened saliva.¡±

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Saliva becomes thickened and sticky, which promotes the precipitation of minerals and stone formation.

Symptoms of salivary gland stones

In terms of symptoms, salivary gland stones may include pain or swelling in the affected area, particularly when eating, associated with obstruction of salivary flow. Infection may occur in some instances; however, incidental salivary gland stones may be discovered, refusing treatment.

Treatment methods for salivary gland stones include hydration, massaging the gland, or surgery to remove the stone.

Ways to manage salivary gland stones

Mild cases of salivary gland stones can be easily managed by drinking enough water, gently massaging the gland, or eating citrus fruits to stimulate the production of saliva. However, if the stone is too big or causing too much pain, then the doctor may need to remove it manually or through minor surgery.

¡°In rare cases, chronic blockages can cause long-term gland damage or infections. One must understand that salivary stones are not life-threatening, but they can be bothersome and cause pain. Immediately consult a doctor if the symptoms persist or become unbearable,¡± says Dr. Bawaskar. Sialendoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat problems in the salivary glands and ducts, employing a small, flexible endoscope to visualise and address issues like stones, strictures, and blockages.

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