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Suggest Treatment For Painful Mouth Sores
Question: My mother is 84 has history of mouth sores, cannot wear dentures,difficult to eat due to oral pain. Has fear of choking and swallowing difficulty. Blending foods for the past 2 yr . Avoids gluten related to experience of hives, elimination diet that appeared to identify gluten as a factor. Was experiencing +++ stress when hives developed and also when mouth sores were more noted about 2 yr ago. Agree that anxiety possible depression can be a factor and beginning discussion with mental health practioner. Husband died in 2014 January , had been married over 60 years. Possible achlorhydria involved. Wondering now if this is cause of mouth sores. Recently this is affecting lips, bright red, cracks at corners of mouth . Also had itching in ears that was releaved by vinegar and water rinse. Wondering if achlorhydria could be contributing to nutrional deficiencies and affect on mouth.
Someone is suggesting pH balance in saliva
Someone is suggesting pH balance in saliva
Brief Answer:
It can be due to essential vitamins and minerals defficiencies
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what your mother had to go through.
Based on the history you have shared, it can all be attributed to essential vitamins and minerals defficiencies as the achlorhydria and related absorption issues. It's better to replace vitamin C, E, zinc and calcium as these all cause mouth ulcers or mucosal instability.
Iron absorption can also get impaired with achlorhydria and thus may be replaced. Blood screens to look for any signs of anemia should also be done. Meanwhile continue nystatin drops and oral glycerine drops.
Psychiatrists review for depression an other symptoms may be sought Meanwhile alongwith ENT review for ear itch as it may need detailed ear examination and antibiotics course. OTC analgesics like acetaminophen can be used for pain.
Wishing her a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards. .
It can be due to essential vitamins and minerals defficiencies
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic! Thanks for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to help you in best way possible. First of all, it is sad to know what your mother had to go through.
Based on the history you have shared, it can all be attributed to essential vitamins and minerals defficiencies as the achlorhydria and related absorption issues. It's better to replace vitamin C, E, zinc and calcium as these all cause mouth ulcers or mucosal instability.
Iron absorption can also get impaired with achlorhydria and thus may be replaced. Blood screens to look for any signs of anemia should also be done. Meanwhile continue nystatin drops and oral glycerine drops.
Psychiatrists review for depression an other symptoms may be sought Meanwhile alongwith ENT review for ear itch as it may need detailed ear examination and antibiotics course. OTC analgesics like acetaminophen can be used for pain.
Wishing her a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards. .
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for a detailed reply. Wondering how to correct / manage achlorhydria. Since this seems to be the basis of absorption of nutrients. Is there value to blood tests to assess zinc and calcium and what would be most indicative? Do blood tests actually show these deficiencies? Is there benefit to measuring other nutritional markers; ie., albumin, folate, iron stores,etc ?
Also ,not sure I mentioned a biopsy of tissue showing lichen planus a few years ago.
Are there a combination of issues here?
What is the excess drooling about? Mom is living in her own home, shops for groceries, drives her own car.She has tried various mouth care advice from dentist and others. Is the drooling indicating adequate saliva or the body's effort to adjust to inflammation? Thank you for your valued opinion and incite. XXXXXXX
Also ,not sure I mentioned a biopsy of tissue showing lichen planus a few years ago.
Are there a combination of issues here?
What is the excess drooling about? Mom is living in her own home, shops for groceries, drives her own car.She has tried various mouth care advice from dentist and others. Is the drooling indicating adequate saliva or the body's effort to adjust to inflammation? Thank you for your valued opinion and incite. XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Levels can be done and lichen planus seems to be related
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Thanks for the detailed feedback.
Yes levels of all these are available but commonly available ones are iron, calcium and B12 levels. Usually since majority of these are water soluble and thus toxicity is less likely so replacing it has no harm without any immediate need of doing the levels. Vitamins C, iron and zinc have more role than other in oral hygiene.
However achlorhydria needs to be confirmed and that can be done on the pH in saliva or in esophageal secretions or pH measurements with probes inside the food pipe. If needed an endoscopy might be needed to be performed again. Avoiding any further antacids and avoiding high protein, or junk may help.
However the lichen planus needs further probing and oral or esophageal thrush or candidiasis needs to be ruled out. The dropping can be caused due to impaired saliva ingestion or increased production and these can can be related to the gastric issues primarily.
A detailed review by a gastroentrologist seems mandatory and unavoidable.
Regards.
Levels can be done and lichen planus seems to be related
Detailed Answer:
Hi!
Thanks for the detailed feedback.
Yes levels of all these are available but commonly available ones are iron, calcium and B12 levels. Usually since majority of these are water soluble and thus toxicity is less likely so replacing it has no harm without any immediate need of doing the levels. Vitamins C, iron and zinc have more role than other in oral hygiene.
However achlorhydria needs to be confirmed and that can be done on the pH in saliva or in esophageal secretions or pH measurements with probes inside the food pipe. If needed an endoscopy might be needed to be performed again. Avoiding any further antacids and avoiding high protein, or junk may help.
However the lichen planus needs further probing and oral or esophageal thrush or candidiasis needs to be ruled out. The dropping can be caused due to impaired saliva ingestion or increased production and these can can be related to the gastric issues primarily.
A detailed review by a gastroentrologist seems mandatory and unavoidable.
Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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