Drooling (patient information)

Revision as of 12:22, 15 September 2011 by Anjelica Montemayor (talk | contribs) (New page: {{Template:Drooling (patient information)}} '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here''' {{CMG}} ==Overview== Drooling is saliva flowing outside the mouth. ==What...)
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Drooling

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Drooling?

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Drooling On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Drooling

Videos on Drooling

FDA on Drooling

CDC on Drooling

Drooling in the news

Blogs on Drooling

Directions to Hospitals Treating Drooling

Risk calculators and risk factors for Drooling

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Overview

Drooling is saliva flowing outside the mouth.

What are the symptoms of Drooling?

Drooling is generally caused by:

  • Problems keeping saliva in the mouth
  • Problems with swallowing
  • Too much saliva production

Some people with drooling problems are at increased risk of breathing saliva, food, or fluids into the lungs. This may cause harm if there is a problem with the body's normal reflexes (such as gagging and coughing).

Drooling caused by nervous system (neurologic) problems can often be managed with drugs that block the action of the chemical messenger acetylcholine (anticholinergic drugs). In severe cases, people can reduce drooling by injecting botulism toxin, getting high-energy x-rays (radiation) to the glands in the mouth that make saliva (salivary glands), and other methods.

What causes Drooling?

Some drooling in infants and toddlers is normal and is not usually a sign of a disease or other problem. It may occur with teething. Drooling in infants and young children may get worse with upper respiratory infections and nasal allergies.

Drooling that occurs with fever or trouble swallowing may be a sign of a more serious disease, including:

  • Mononucleosis
  • Peritonsillar abscess
  • Retropharyngeal abscess
  • Strep throat
  • Tonsillitis

Sudden drooling may occur with poisoning (especially by pesticides) or a reaction to snake or insect venom.

Other things that can cause drooling:

  • Certain medications
  • Nervous system (neurological) problems

When to seek urgent medical care?

Call your health care provider if:

  • The cause of the drooling has not been diagnosed.
  • There is concern about aspiration.
  • Your child has a fever, difficulty breathing, or holds his or her head in a strange position.

Treatment options

Care for drooling due to teething includes good oral hygiene. Popsicles or other cold objects (such as frozen bagels) may be helpful. Take care to avoid choking when a child uses any of these objects.

Where to find medical care for Drooling?

Directions to Hospitals Treating Drooling

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

The doctor will do a physical examination and ask questions about the symptoms, including:

  • Is there a history of any other diseases?
  • Has the person had a bite or sting?
  • Has the person had an injury?
  • What medications is the person taking?
  • What other symptoms are present (such as fever, sore throat, facial droop)?

The tests performed depend on the symptoms that occur with the drooling.

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003048.htm

Template:WH Template:WS