Mumps is an acute specific infection of the salivary glands especially of the parotids sometimes submandibular and sublingual glands also; occasionally the latter glands are affected first.
The most affected are the children or young adults of both sexes often living in a school or a barrack and the disease spreads rapidly from one person to another in close contact by droplets. This virus reaches the salivary glands by bloody or lymphatic because mumps is a systemic disease and may cause in addition, inflammation of the meninges, brain, pancreas and the gonads. The disease is more prevalent in winter and spring months.
The affected parotid glands and the surrounding tissues become hyperemic and edematous, the acinar cells disintegrate with round cell infiltration but later on, heal completely without any scarring.
Testes when involved have much edema, perivascular infiltration with lymphocytes, localized hemorrhage, destruction of the germinal epithelia and blocking of the tubules with cellular debris. Only certain localized areas are affected, other parts remain unaffected.
The disease often starts insidiously with swelling of one parotid gland; the other being involved a day or two after. These become markedly tense and tender but the skin is not involved. The inflammation often spreads to sub maxillary and sublingual glands, the maximum being reached in three days. Mainly the interstitial and the periglandular tissues are involved and the swelling slowly subsides without suppuration. Sometimes relapses may occur after an interval of a few days, the parotids being inflamed again.
The temperature rises to 101 0F. or more and continues for 3 to 4 days. During the period, the jaws are stiff and mastication is painful and difficult; salivation is sometimes marked. Pulse is usually slow. Blood shows slight initial leucopenia followed by marked lymphocytosis. The urine shows slight albuminuria. The serum amylase is increased in most patients in the first 3 to 4 days. Spleen may be just palpable.
Complications :
- Orchitis usually unilateral is especially marked in young adults: often starts form the 6 th to 10 th day of the disease when the parotid swelling has just commenced subsiding, with pain in the testis and a higher rise of temperature, less commonly, with severe constitutional disturbances. The inflammation may extend to the scrotum and spermatic cord and even to the inguinal glands. In most cases, the affection is unilateral and rarely bilateral. The inflammation often subsides in a week leaving no functional deficiency but sometimes leads to atrophy of the testicles.
- In females, oophoritis is sometimes seen with inflammation of the vulva and mammae. Pregnant women may abort.
- Rare complications are arthritis, bronchitis, pericarditis myocarditis and nephritis.
- Avoid spicy foods for the child. Spicy foods may cause discomfort and increase to their suffering.
- Try to give non-acidic fluids such as water and milk.
- Apply localized heat to his swollen salivary glands. A warm heating pad or even a warm cloth can be used.
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Prepare a paste of dry ginger powder by adding water to it and apply to the swollen parts. This is one of the best home remedies for mumps.
- The leaves of the peepal tree should be smeared with ghee and warmed over a fire. They should then be bandaged over the inflamed part for beneficial results.
- Take a piece of a leaf of Indian aloe, peel on one side, warm it and then sprinkle a little turmeric (haldi) and the extract of Indian barberry (rasaut), and then bandage over the swelling. This is one of the useful home remedies for mumps.
- The seeds of asparagus are valuable in mumps. Make a paste of these seeds, combined with an equal proportion of fenugreek (methi) seeds, by grinding them together. This paste can be applied over the swellings.
- Dry ginger is considered useful in the mumps treatment. Prepare a paste and apply over the swollen parts. As the paste dries, the swelling will be reduced and the pain will also subside.
- The leaves of margosa are also useful in the treatment of mumps. Make a paste of these the leaves of this tree, combined with turmeric (haldi) and apply externally over the affected parts. This is one of the useful home remedies for mumps.
- Hot and cold fomentations should be applied every two hours during the day for about ten minutes, and should consist of two or three hot applications, followed by a cold one.
- Patient should be provided with a soft diet, consisting of cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, broth-based soups, prepared baby foods, or foods put through a home food processor.
- Patients should not be given dairy products because they may be difficult to digest.
- Keep the patient in bed for several days until the temperature returns to normal.
- Local applications of heat or an ice bag over the affected area will help to relieve some of the discomfort.
- Another good home remedy for mumps is chebulic myroblan. Prepare a thick paste from this herb by rubbing it in water. Apply it to the affecter-swollen parts. It will give relief.
- Olive leaf extract is also a good home remedy for mumps.
REFERENCE:
The green Pharmacy by James duke.
Eating well for optimum health by Andrew Weil
Baghdikian B, Lanhers M, Fleurentin J, et al. An analytical study, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Harpagophytum procumbens and Harpagophytum zeyheri. Planta Med. 1997;63:171–176.
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