Live Life Team
Actinomycosis or lumpy jaw is a non-contagious rare and chronic condition which occurs due to actinomycetales in the tissues of human body. It slowly migrates all over the body tissues damaging them and forming abscesses.
Types of lumpy jaw
- Neck and face known as cervicofacial actinomycosis.
- The chest – thoracic actinomycosis
- Adominal actinomycosis
- Pelvic actinomycosis, commonly found in women.
Symptoms
Cervicofacial lumpy jaw
There will be swollen lumps on the cheek or on the neck that may gradually increase in size and number. The skin on the lumps may turn reddish or bluish In colour. In the early stages the lumps will be tender, but it must be painless and hard when touched. Occasional fever will be there. The patient will find it difficult to eat as jaw muscled will be affected. Narrow passages open up in the skin through which pus comes out.
Thoracic lumpy jaw: Symptoms are fever, weight loss, fatigue, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, chest pain, sinus tracts open up on the chest, dry cough and sputum with blood.
Abdominal lumpy jaw: Symptoms are a mild fever, weight loss, fatigue, a change in your bowel habits, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, a sensation of swelling on the abdomen and sinus tract on the abdomen.
Pelvic lumpy jaw: Symptoms are lower abdominal pain, irregular, or abnormal, vaginal bleeding, or discharge, loss of appetite, fatigue, mild fever, and swelling in your pelvis region.
Causes
Lumpy jaw is caused by the strain of bacteria called actinomycetales which is found in mouth, lower intestinal tract and in women in pelvis and fallopian tubes.
Actinomycosis is termed as an opportunistic infection. Cervicofacial lumpy jaw can occur due to dental surgery, such as a tooth extraction, or root canal surgery, jaw surgery, tooth infection or gum disease and general injury, or trauma, to the mouth, jaw, or throat.
Thoracic lumpy jaw occurs when the bacteria that get mixed up with the food particles are passed into the windpipe rather than to the stomach.
Abdominal lumpy jaw happens when some perforations happen to the wall of the intestine, like a burst appendix, and the bacteria are passed through that.
Pelvic lumpy jaw occurs usually in women who use intra-uterine contraceptive devices for a period of eight or more years.
Treatment
The first hand treatment for lumpy jaw is the administration of antibiotics over a long period of time, starting with intravenous antibiotics initially followed by oral antibiotics.
Surgery may be done to repair damaged tissue or to drain the pus in the abscesses.
Complications
Abscesses can occur in any part of the body, spreading throughout your body. If the infection is in the mouth, it can spread to larynx, tongue and trachea. The spreading of infection to the brain causes abscesses in the brain.
Prevention:
Brush the teeth twice regularly. Floss teeth once a day. Use mouthwash with fluoride once a day. Avoid intake of sweet, sticky food as well as starchy food and white bread.
