Salivary Gland Disorders

Among the salivary glands, the parotid gland is more prone to a more generalised swelling involving the whole gland frequently bilaterally. There is no inflammation, the gland is generally enlarged, soft, without focal nodularity and there is no fluctuation, discomfort or association with eating and drinking. The process is called sialdenosis and is associated with certain drugs, alcoholism, aging, obesity and some dieting fads.