Syndrome of burning mouth

Burning mouth syndrome is a painful experience which is brought on because of several factors. One of these factors is hormonal imbalance; therefore there is also a close relationship between burning mouth syndrome and menopause when it is noticed in women. However this condition is more often seen in older women who are approaching menopause and are going through a period of hormonal changes.

A lot of people with severe vitamin deficiencies also suffer from this syndrome. To diagnose the actual cause of the problem a biopsy would have to be done on an oral swab, and other clinical diagnosis like thyroid tests, liver function tests, allergic reactions and certain blood tests would have to be done. If it is due to a certain malfunction or deficiency the doctor will give medications to correct this.

The condition is a painful one with a burning sensation in the mouth which could range from moderate to acute and could persist for long periods. For some the burning sensation starts in the morning in a mild way only to become a lot more severe by the evening and then subsides by night. The symptoms differ from person to person as some have constant pain while others find that the discomfort comes and goes. Most people who have this burning mouth syndrome are prone to depression because of the chronic discomfort. Other symptoms are a numbness or tingling sensation in the tongue and mouth as also a sore and dry mouth with a metallic taste in it.

Burning Mouth Syndrome Remedies:

The burning mouth syndrome remedies will depend on what is causing them and the way to relieve this discomfort is to counteract these factors. This syndrome can be brought about because of deficiencies, nerve problems, a dry mouth, hormonal imbalance and menopause, use of alcohol and tobacco, strong medicines, bacterial infection of the mouth and allergic reactions to certain foods. To relieve these symptoms avoid foods which heat up the system like spicy oily foods and processed foods. Instead stick to simple nutritious foods which will cool the system. Fresh fruits and vegetables are highly recommended with a lot of green leafy vegetables like spinach, broccoli and parsley. The diet should help to produce new blood cells and be rich in vitamin B12 so that the tissues can rebuild themselves and the damage be healed. Foods which are rich in vitamin B12 are liver, poultry, egg yolk and milk.

The body should be well hydrated as the burning could be a result of insufficient water consumption. Flushing and detoxifying the system first thing in the morning with a lot of water helps to keep it cool. Ensure that you drink a lot of water through out the day too and if the fluids are in the form of fruit juices these should be sugar free ones. Sucking on an ice cube relieves the burning sensation. A cold glass of milk with a spoon of honey in it increases the blood circulation to the tongue and cools the body while relieving the discomfort. Alcohol causes dehydration and should be avoided.

Burning Mouth Syndrome Causes:

Though the actual cause of burning mouth syndrome is not clear there are several conditions which bring about this syndrome. The most common condition to this is hormonal changes because of menopause and diabetes. Other reasons are deficiencies in iron, niacin, vitamin B12, cobalamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, thiamin, folate and zinc. This syndrome appears if there is a problem with a cancer therapy, when the mouth is dry, bruxism, nerve disorders, dentures which do not fit, acid reflux and allergies. Apart from these conditions, medications which could cause this syndrome are medications for blood pressure, diabetes oral medications and diuretics. Being stressed out could also cause this syndrome and it is necessary to try and remain calm.

Though this is predominantly a female problem sometimes males can also get affected. This is more so among the aging as no one below the age of thirty ever has it. There is no specific ethnic or racial population which is more prone to it. As many as 30% of women in the post menopausal age group seem to be affected with the burning mouth syndrome while around 1% of the general lot have it. Those who are prone to habits like teeth grinding in their sleep, jaw clenching or tongue thrusting are more affected with this condition. People with this syndrome are generally depressed or anxious but it is not clear whether the condition makes them this way or whether it is the other way round.

Burning Mouth Syndrome Treatment:

Prior to trying burning mouth syndrome treatment it is better to go in for burning mouth syndrome home remedies. If the actual cause of the problem has not been pinpointed then some simple home remedies should be tried to provide relief to the person. If this does not help, see your doctor who may put you onto one of these treatments like anesthetics to relieve the discomfort. The doctor could also prescribe topical rinses, intraoral appliances, antidepressants or counseling for mental health, hormonal replacement, vitamin supplements, mineral replacements or and antifungal treatment.

If a medication is causing it the doctor may ask you to discontinue this drug and give a substitute or if it because of high blood sugars you may be asked to watch your diet more carefully and control your blood sugar. Symptomatic treatment helps to relieve the discomfort but the cause of the problem may not be resolved with this.