Aphthous Mouth Ulcers, A Simple Guide To The Condition, Diagnosis, Treatment And Related Conditions

This book describes Aphthous Mouth Ulcer, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related DiseasesAphthous Mouth Ulcers are painful open sores or ulcers in the mouth. They may appear red or yellow in colorAphthous Mouth Ulcers are normally found on the mouth such as the tongue or the inner linings of the lips and cheeks. The ulcers or sores start as small round or oval reddish swellings which then burst within a day.
A thin white or yellow membrane covered the burst sores surrounded by a red well demarcated margin. Aphthous Mouth Ulcers vary in size from an eighth of an inch wide in mild cases to more than an inch wide in severe cases. In severe cases, Aphthous Mouth Ulcers may form scarsAphthous Mouth Ulcers happen either singly or in clusters, causing a lot of discomfort or pain. They normally resolve within 7 to 10 days.
Fever is not frequent. Normally a person will only have one or a few Aphthous Mouth Ulcers during the episode. Most people have Aphthous Mouth Ulcers between the ages of 10 and 20. The ulcers or sores are rarely linked with other diseases. Most people will have only one or two episodes a year while some other people can have a continuous period of Aphthous Mouth UlcersAphthous Mouth Ulcers are also called Canker sores, not cold sores.
Aphthous Mouth Ulcers are little, superficial sores that form on the soft mucosa in the mouth or at the base of the gums. Unlike cold sores, Aphthous Mouth Ulcers do not happen on the surface of the lips and they are not contagious. They can be painful, however, and can make eating and talking difficult. CausesThe cause of Aphthous Mouth Ulcers is not known. In all cases Aphthous Mouth Ulcers have no relationship to viruses or bacteria.
The Aphthous Mouth Ulcers may be due to:1. An allergic reaction to certain foods2. An abnormal immune system that causes the body's defenses to attack the normal cells of the mouth or tongue.3. Nutritional deficiencies, mainly lack of vitamin B12, folic acid and iron4. Gastrointestinal problems, such as an inability to digest certain food.5. Female sex hormones can cause many women to get episodes of the sores during certain phases of their menstrual cycles.
Hormone therapy has success in treating some women of Aphthous Mouth Ulcers.6. Stress can affect the body immune system to cause Ulcers7. Injury to the mouth can also cause Ulcers. SymptomsMost Aphthous Mouth Ulcers are round or oval with a white or yellow center and a red border. Minor Aphthous Mouth Ulcers are the most frequent and:a. Are usually smallb. Are oval shaped with a red edgec. Heal without scarring in 1 to2 weeksMajor Aphthous Mouth Ulcers are less frequent and:a.
Are larger and deeper than minor Ulcersb. Are normally round with defined borders, but may have uneven edgesc. Can be extremely painfuld. May take up to six weeks to heal and can leave extensive scarringHerpetiform Mouth Ulcers:a. Are pinpoint sizeb. Often happen in clusters of 10 to 100 sores but may join into one large ulcerc. Have irregular edgesd. Heal without scarring in one to two weeksDiagnosisTests are not needed to diagnose Aphthous Mouth Ulcers.
TreatmentThe exact treatment will be dependent on the cause of the ulcer. Occasionally all that is required is to remove the cause of the ulcer, such as a sharp tooth. The main treatment of the mouth ulcer is application of topical corticosteroidsVitamins and nutritional supplements often helpPatients found to have food allergies should avoid these foodsNumbing ointments such as benzocaine can reduce painAnti-inflammatory steroid mouth rinses or gels can relieve painOral medicines may be used such as steroid or immunosuppressant if topical treatment failsTABLE OF CONTENTIntroductionChapter 1 Aphthous Mo...