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Aphthous causes and treatment
contents
- definition
- symptoms
- diagnosis
- causes
- treatment
- Naturopathy in aphthae
definition
As aphthae damage to the mucosal structures in the mouth and throat are referred to, which are usually recognizable as approximately lens-sized, whitish proven ulcers on the gums, tongue, tonsils (tonsils) or in the oral cavity. It shows a reddish, inflamed demarcation to the healthy mucous membrane. A regular or repeated occurrence is described as chronic recurrent aphthosis. Sometimes the term is also used for comparable ulcers of the mucous membranes in the genital area, which are not taken into account in this contribution, however.
Aphthae are damage to the oral mucosa, which can be associated with intense pain, especially during food intake but also when speaking and swallowing your own saliva. (Image: charnsitr / fotolia.com) Depending on their size, the mucosal damage can be reduced to so-called "minor aphthae" (form a large part of the aphthae, reach a maximum size of one centimeter) and "major aphthae" (rather rare, reach a diameter of up to three centimeters and more ). A special, very rare form the so-called herpetiform aphthae, which are recognizable as a variety of small blisters on the tongue edge and reminiscent of the appearance of a herpes infection.
symptoms
Depending on their location and number, the aphthous ulcers can lead to varying levels of pain. If they are located in places subject to heavy mechanical stress, they are usually associated with significantly greater impairments than, for example, an aphthous ulcer on the inside of the cheek. In general, the more that form, the more severe the pain. In particular, acidic, but also hot and dry or rough food in contact with a very unpleasant burning. This mouthburn can not only occur during food intake, but sometimes shows up when swallowing or speaking.
The aphthae are usually relatively small with a diameter of a few millimeters (minor aphthae), but in rare cases may also develop into larger-sized ulcers with a diameter of several centimeters (major aphthae). While the smaller ulcers usually heal again within about two weeks, even without medical treatment, the healing of the major aphthae can last for much longer periods of time, often leaving scars around the mucosa.
Due to the pain of eating and drinking, they often lead to a refusal of food intake, especially in infants. This may result in a lack of fluid (dehydration) or other deficiency symptoms and should therefore not be taken lightly. A visit to a doctor is therefore strongly advised in case of refusal of food.
diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually based on the typical appearance of mucosal damage and the observed concomitant symptoms. A smear of the affected mucosa may provide information about possible infections, and a blood test will help to identify underlying systemic diseases.
causes
Cause of the formation of complaints are often infections with (herpes) viruses or bacteria, but other factors can lead to the occurrence of mucosal damage. For example, aphthae are more common in patients with deficiencies such as iron deficiency or vitamin B12 deficiency. Oral mucosal injuries can also promote development. Hormonal fluctuations or impairments are also mentioned as possible causes in medical literature. Furthermore, a connection with digestive complaints is under discussion. In addition, aphthae are a potential concomitant in severe systemic diseases, such as Crohn's disease (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), Behçet's disease (rare autoimmune disease) or AIDS. A gluten intolerance (celiac disease) is also considered a possible cause of the formation of aphthous ulcers. Another suspected risk factor is the sodium lauryl sulfate often contained in toothpaste.
The most well-known form of an increased aphthous formation in the mouth and pharynx is the so-called mouth rot, which is due to an infection with viruses of the genus Herpes simplex type 1. In the initial stage, the patients initially suffer from fever and swelling or aphthae in the area of the gums. The ulcers may spread in the further course and occur almost throughout the mouth and throat. Accompanying shows usually a significant lymphadenopathy in the neck and an unpleasant halitosis. In the course of the so-called hand-foot-mouth disease, usually triggered by the coxsackie virus, is also expected to occur with the appearance of aphthous ulcers. The main symptom of the disease is an itchy rash on the hands, feet and in the mouth, characterized by conspicuous blisters.
treatment
In most cases, the blisters heal again within about two weeks, even without medical care, and a targeted therapy based on current knowledge is not possible anyway. However, various therapeutic measures can bring about a significant alleviation of the discomfort, so that the affected people are burdened in their everyday life by the aphthae much less. Here conventional medicine often resorts to the external application of painkilling agents. These are used as a gel, mouthwash or ointment. If the symptoms are due to a viral infection, sometimes antiviral drugs are used to speed up the healing process. All in all, however, those affected are primarily dependent on their self-healing powers and the medical measures can only have a supporting or alleviating effect. The same applies to the naturopathic approaches, which are described in more detail below.
Naturopathy in aphthae
In order to support the healing process, various medicinal plants are used in natural medicine. For example, cold tea from arnica blossoms, chamomile flowers and / or sage leaves is used because of its anti-inflammatory effect. Also for mouthwashes, the cold tea is suitable. Diluted tinctures of coneflower (Echinacea) are also used as mouth rinses against aphthous ulcers. This applies equally to tea tree oil and extracts of balm. In the field of homeopathy, the remedies Borax and Kalium Chloratum are suitable for treatment. They should enable a healing within a short time. Furthermore, the so-called Ölziehen (mouthwash with cold-pressed, high-quality sunflower or sesame oil) is attributed to a positive effect in aphthous ulcers.
The illustrated naturopathic procedures, however, serve - as well as conventional medical approaches - merely to alleviate the symptoms. Remedying the causes of chronic recurrent aphthae is not possible with their help. In naturopathy, for example, measures that generally strengthen the immune system act against such a tendency towards education. In the field of homeopathy, for example, the so-called constitutional treatment is suitable for this purpose. Which measures still apply depends on the patient's individual symptoms. The choice of appropriate measures should be left to experienced therapists to avoid possible adverse effects. (Fp)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)