Bilateral parotid gland enlargement happens when the salivary glands on both sides of the face become swollen. Because these glands sit just in front of the ears, swelling can noticeably change the shape of the face, which can be upsetting for many people.
Although it looks concerning, bilateral parotid swelling is usually not dangerous and is rarely caused by cancer. Understanding the possible causes can help guide proper care.
The parotid glands are the largest salivary glands, and interestingly have the Facial Nerves course through them and divide up into multiple branches before connecting to the muscles of the face. They help produce saliva,
which keeps your mouth moist and aids digestion. When both glands become
enlarged, it often points to an underlying medical or metabolic condition rather than a local infection.
The most frequent cause of painless bilateral parotid enlargement is sialosis (also called sialadenosis).
Sjögren’s syndrome is a condition where the immune system attacks the salivary glands. People may also experience:
Another inflammatory condition, sarcoidosis, can also cause parotid swelling, although it is less common.
Some medications can affect saliva production and cause the glands to swell, including:
If swelling begins after starting a new medication, this may be a contributing factor.
Bulimia is a known cause of bilateral parotid gland enlargement. Repeated vomiting can overstimulate the salivary glands, leading to visible swelling over time. This is often an unexpected and devastating consequence of eating disorders.
Tumors affecting both parotid glands at the same time are extremely rare. When tumors are present, scans usually show clear masses rather than general swelling of the glands.
In many cases, it is painless. Painless swelling is more commonly associated with metabolic, autoimmune, or medication-related causes rather than infection.
You should seek medical advice if you notice:
An ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist can perform a full evaluation, which may include blood tests or imaging, to identify the cause and rule out serious
conditions.
Bilateral parotid gland enlargement can look alarming, but it is most often caused by non-cancerous conditions such as sialosis, autoimmune disease, medications, or eating disorders. A proper medical assessment is essential to find the cause and guide treatment.
There are very few physicians that manage and surgically treat this condition.
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