Mouth ulcers and IBD
cesh...@gmail.com
Crohn’s Disease) sometimes get extra-intestinal symptoms next to their
digestive problem. One of such is small ulcers in the mouth.
Recurrent Aphthous stomatitis (RAS) and recurrent intraoral herpes
(RIH) are the two most commonly presenting oral lesions in dentistry
recurrent. Recurrent Aphthous Ulcerations (RAU) is another form of
mouth ulcer but is considered an immunological deficiency. Why aphts
appear in people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease is unknown but often
it coincides with flare-ups and usually the ulcer(s) heal(s) with
remission of the IBD.
Causes of mouth ulcers can be linked to microbial disease (like
Herpes, chickenpox, infectious mononucleosis), to gastrointestinal
disease (Coeliac, Crohn’s, Ulcerative Colitis), to skin disease (like
lichen planus, erythema multiforme), to blood disorders (like
leukaemia, neutropenia), to rheumatoid diseases (like systemic lupus
erythematosus, Behçet’s disease, Reiter’s syndrome) or to drugs
(cytotoxic agents, Nicorandril, NSAIDs and oral nicotine replacement
therapy). Reading this list you can understand why, if a mouth ulcer
persists for more than 3 weeks, a differential diagnosis should be
made, possibly via biopsy or other investigations to exclude
malignancy or serious conditions.
When not caused by a specific condition, mouth ulcers can be related
to food sensitivities or nutritional deficiencies (Oral Surg, 1982,
54: 388-95; BMJ, 1975; 2: 490-3). In one study of 330 individuals with
recurrent mouth ulcers, 14.2% proved to be deficient in Iron, Folic
Acid and/or vitamin B12. The majority of whom achieved a complete
remission when their deficiencies were eliminated by supplements. (J
Oral Path, 1978; 7: 418-23). For patients who are deficient in Zinc,
taking extra zinc supplements has proved effective (BMJ, 1975; 2:
490-3) and this is because Zinc is required for the development and
activation of T-lymphocytes. For centuries, medicated zinc bandages
have been found to have a soothing and beneficial effect on leg
ulcers.
It is well known that people with Coeliac disease, Ulcerative Colitis
and Crohn’s Disease suffer from a varying degree of impaired tolerance
to foods and a reduced uptake of nutrients. Gluten and wheat
sensitivity are on the top of that list. Finding well tolerated,
highly absorbable wholefood supplements whilst using Aloeride® both as
a buffer and to facilitate nutrient uptake will help to overcome such
a deficiency.
Whilst ulcers are present you definitely shall want to change to
Macrobiotic type of meals which are nutritious but bland, soft foods
devoid of spices or salt thus not causing irritation. Medical
treatment can include antiseptic chlorhexidine mouthwashes,
hydrocortisone pellets, antibiotic pastes or topical corticosteroids.
Increasingly people use topical Aloeride® aloe vera to this list.
A randomised controlled trial published in the British Journal of
Dermatology confirmed empirical findings that aloe vera can help mouth
ulcers associated with oral lichen planus (Volume 158, Number 3, March
2008, pp. 573-577(5).
Out of 54 patients, half of whom received topically applied aloe vera
and half of whom received a placebo, 81% of patients treated with aloe
vera had a good response after eight weeks of treatment, while only 4%
of placebo patients had a similar response. Where improvement
occurred, it was on a significantly greater scale in those treated
with aloe vera, a 50% symptom improvement was scored in 63% of the
aloe vera patients but only in 7% of the placebo group. Burning pain
completely disappeared in 33% of the aloe vera patients, compared with
only 4% of the placebo group.
Dentist Dr. Timothy Moore wrote a paper about using aloe vera in over
6,000 of his patients. He stated that both patients and doctors noted
the healing capabilities of aloe vera to far exceed their expectations
in pain control, oedema control and healing time reduction. Next to
intraoral lesions he applies aloe vera to periodontal surgery sites,
traumatized gum tissue, ulcerations as discussed here, chemical burns,
extraction sites (these sites respond more comfortably and dry sockets
do not develop when aloe vera is applied) and around dental implants
to control inflammation from bacterial contamination.
Source: http://nature-g.blogspot.com/search/label/Mouth%20ulcers
Regards,
http://nature-g.blogspot.com