What Causes Sialorrhea?

Sialorrhea is a condition where an individual has an excessive flow of saliva or hypersalivation. While most individuals only know of excessive salivation that manifests as anterior sialorrhea or drooling, there is another form of sialorrhea, referred to as posterior sialorrhea, that occurs when saliva spills into the airway or trachea. Anterior sialorrhea can cause issues with skincare, cleanliness, hygiene, and socialization, while posterior sialorrhea causes aspiration and chronic irritation to the lung tissues. Symptoms of drooling are obvious and can be seen visually, while symptoms of posterior sialorrhea include frequent coughing and choking with recurrent pneumonia infections. Diagnosis is made with physical examination and x-ray imaging swallow tests. Several treatment methods exist for sialorrhea, including medication and corrective surgical procedures to reduce saliva production.