Salivary function and hypertension: a review of the literature and a case report
Article Abstract:
Some drugs prescribed to treat high blood pressure may reduce salivary gland function. A 45-year-old black man visited the dentist for routine care. The patient had high blood pressure and was referred to a physician. The doctor prescribed 5 milligrams (mg) of lisinopril per day. After one week of treatment, the patient's salivary flow rate decreased by half. The physician gradually increased the dosage of lisinopril to 20 mg per day because the patient failed to respond to treatment. The salivary flow rate remained depressed. After seven weeks of treatment, the patient's blood pressure still had not decreased and lisinopril was discontinued. The salivary flow rate increased to pre-treatment levels within two weeks. Doctors initiated drug therapy with the diuretic, hydrochlorothiazide and observed similar effects on the salivary flow rate. Reduced salivary flow may increase the risk of cavities and periodontal disease in susceptible patients.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Multiple episodes of angioedema associated with lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor
Article Abstract:
Patients who take an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor to treat high blood pressure may develop angioedema. Angioedema is a vascular reaction characterized by swelling of the soft tissues. It can lead to respiratory distress, airway obstruction, and death. A 51-year-old woman experienced 15 to 20 episodes of swelling on the left side of her face during a one and a half year period. The swelling developed suddenly and subsided without treatment in three to four days. She had a mild case of high blood pressure for which she was taking one daily dose of the ACE inhibitor, lisinopril (Zestoretic). Physicians suspected that the patient's recurrent angioedema was caused by the ACE inhibitor. Upon discontinuation of the drug, her symptoms disappeared.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 1995
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
Laryngeal edema and death from asphyxiation after tooth extraction in four patients with hereditary angioedema
Article Abstract:
A tooth extraction can be life-threatening in people who have hereditary angioedema. This condition causes swelling in various parts of the body. It can affect the throat, making it difficult or impossible to breathe. Doctors discuss the cases of four patients who died within two days after having a tooth extracted. All four died of asphyxiation when their throat became swollen.
Publication Name: Journal of the American Dental Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0002-8177
Year: 2003
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: Sexual Dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and Predictors. Prevalence of visual impairment in the United States
- Abstracts: Hypnotizability, absorption and negative cognitions as predictors of dental anxiety. Magnetic retention of dental prostheses in a child with ectodermal dysplasia
- Abstracts: Nurses' perception of beeper calls: implications for resident stress and patient care. Injury prevention counseling in an urban pediatric clinic: analysis of audiotaped visits
- Abstracts: A working partnership. Healthcare evaluation: evaluating the health service. Encouraging patients to take part in their own care