Managing Excessive Saliva with Salivary Gland Irradiation

Excessive saliva production can be uncomfortable and embarrassing for many individuals. Various treatment options are available, but salivary gland irradiation has emerged as one of the most promising treatments for individuals suffering from this condition. We’ll review everything you need to know about this condition and treatment.

Causes

Excessive saliva production occurs when the glands go into overdrive. They wind up producing more saliva than you can swallow. This can make speaking, eating, and other things difficult. It can drastically impact your quality of life. There are various causes, such as some medical treatments that affect the saliva glands.

Treatments

Previous types of treatment tended to vary. Using assistive devices like cups or napkins was common. Medication was another option for individuals. Therapies to assist with speech, eating, and anything else individuals found challenging was extremely common. However, these management strategies made the condition easier to live with.

New Methods

An oncology center knows salivary gland irradiation is an effective treatment. This method of treating excessive saliva production utilizes radiation. A patient lies on a table, and small doses of radiation are sent into the saliva glands. This helps inhibit saliva production, offering relief from the entire condition instead of merely managing the symptoms.

Benefits

There are several benefits to addressing this treatment with an oncology center. It is non-invasive, ensuring that patients can comfortably undergo the treatment. The results are astounding. Many patients experience relief for weeks or months after they undergo treatment, helping drastically improve their quality of life and eliminating the constant need for other treatments, such as assistive devices.

Safety

The process of this procedure is very safe. Patients do not have to utilize anesthesia or other medications before the treatment. Tissues surrounding the saliva glands are carefully protected to ensure they are not damaged during treatment. Side effects are also minimal. Patients may experience a slight change in taste or temporary dry mouth, but these are often short-term.

At our oncology center, we understand the importance of addressing conditions like this one that can impact your mental health and quality of life. According to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, about 5% of cancer patients receive the help they need with their mental health. That’s why we try to address everything we can. Radiation Oncologists of Central Arizona, LLP (ROCA) has been offering compassionate, cutting-edge cancer treatment to Valley residents for over 20 years at the premier hospital-based cancer centers in metro Phoenix. Contact us for more information.

Posted: September 18th, 2023