Dr. Nevena Mikova
Sialolithiasis is a condition in which calculi (stones) develop in the duct or the parenchyma of the salivary glands. Initially the process is asymptomatic, there are no complaints, and typically nobody suspects that the salivary gland stone is there. The condition develops clinically when salivation is disturbed or an inflammatory process occurs.
When the duct is obstructed, the gland begins to swell gradually until the process covers the whole gland. In the beginning there is no pain, but later pain develops, usually at mealtime. The whole gland volume is gradually filled with saliva and the mechanical pressure on the parenchyma causes inflammatory and necrotic changes. Surgical treatment is considered to be the only possible therapy.
On 15 October 2010, M.M., a 38-year-old male, came to the clinic. He complained of a swelling in the region of the left parotid gland. He had been examined by a general practitioner and diagnosed with sialolithiasis. The patient was recommended antibiotic treatment and referred to a surgeon. Various conditions of the patient and his family had been treated homeopathically and therefore he came to me, seeking my opinion and assistance. The terrain of M.M. was Lycopodium. Homeopathy often associates it with lithiases of various locations and homeopathic practitioners will not be surprised to learn that urolithiasis (urinary stones) had been diagnosed and successfully treated six years earlier.
The affected gland was very big and the swelling progression was very rapid. Therefore I recommended to M.M. that homeopathic treatment started immediately and we kept in touch.
The medication prescribed was as follows:
Berberis Vulgaris 9 CH – it is well-known for its drainage effect and its capability to stimulate the evacuation of stones from the urinary tract and the gallbladder.
Mercurius Solubilis 9 CH produces a positive effect on various inflammations of the oral cavity. I selected it to ensure maximum protection of the parotid parenchyma.
My recommendation was to administer the medication alternatingly at intervals of 20 to 30 minutes.
M.M.’s condition improved very quickly. The patient was stabilised without the need of surgical intervention.
On 10 March 2013, the male mixed-breed dog Rex was brought to the clinic. Being an experienced dentist, the owner had noticed a small swelling of the upper right jaw laterally. The swelling had been in slow progress since the morning. It was located within the anatomic boundaries of the zygomatic gland, one of the canine salivary glands. The examination revealed no lesions, either external or in the oral cavity. The bodily temperature of 38.4oC was normal for that age. The gland parenchyma was diffusely increased, painless, without any thickening. There was no pain. The following therapy was recommended:
Berberis Vulgaris 9 CH and Mercurius Solubilis 9 CH to be alternated at every 20 to 30 minutes.
Rex, too, recuperated very quickly and that was achieved with homeopathy alone.
Conclusion:
We tend to say that homeopathy has its limits which have to be taken into consideration, that it is not a panacea and it cannot substitute the operative treatment. This is absolutely true in many cases but not always. In my practice with homeopathy and phytotherapy I succeed in curing patients whose conditions are conventionally treated mainly with surgical operations. These are the canine “cherry eye”, male feline urolithiasis with urinary retention, etc. My advice is to seek one more opinion before you opt for surgical therapy. It often turns out that there are at least several solutions in each situation.