Burning mouth syndrome, a nightmare

/Home/Burning Mouth Syndrome News and Information/Burning Mouth Syndrome Newsletters

Burning mouth syndrome, a nightmare
YOUR HEALTH DR. DONOHUE

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I have burning mouth syndrome and am very discouraged at my prospects. Vitamin deficiencies, fungal infections and nerve conditions have been ruled out. The doctor told me that, aside from temporary relief with a mouth rinse, nothing can be done. Do you have any insights? -- M.P.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Do you know about burning mouth syndrome? I have had it for four months. It is a nightmare. I need some answers. -- R.R.

ANSWER: Burning mouth syndrome is every patient's and every doctor's nightmare. The patient suffers from constant pain; the doctor suffers from a lack of information on its cause and its treatment. It's something that happens most often to postmenopausal women. The tongue feels like it's on fire, and often the lips, gums, roof of the mouth and throat are involved.

A number of conditions are sometimes seen in association with it -- diabetes, lichen planus, anemia, viral infections, yeast infections, the dry mouth of Sjogren's syndrome, iron deficiency, deficiencies of some B vitamins and ill-fitting dentures. In honesty, although looked for, these disorders are rarely found.

Rinses might provide more than temporary relief. Rinsing with cold apple juice helps some people. A mouth rinse composed of equal parts Benadryl elixir and Kaopectate, both nonprescription items, can be effective. The mixture is used three times a day and again before bedtime, and it is swished in the mouth for 20 seconds and then spit out. A rinse made with a few drops of Tabasco sauce in a teaspoon of water is another homemade remedy. Swish it in the mouth briefly, and then spit it out. Tabasco contains capsaicin, which depletes nerve chemicals that generate pain. It temporarily worsens the burning. If it increases the pain too much, ditch this treatment.

Doctors have prescribed Klonopin (an anti-anxiety medicine) and amitriptyline (an antidepressant) as adjuncts in controlling the pain of burning mouth syndrome.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I quit smoking two years ago. I had smoked for 50 years. I used nicotine gum to quit, and that is the problem. I still use it. I tried other ways, like the nicotine patch, but it irritated my skin. I tried nicotine tablets, but they messed with my head. Sometimes I chew only two or three pieces a day, but if I am stressed, I chew six or seven pieces. Did I help my health by changing my addiction? -- I.C.

ANSWER: The gum is supposed to be a short-term help to ease a person over nicotine withdrawal. By not smoking, you have greatly reduced your chances for lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer. Those things are caused by materials in cigarette smoke other than nicotine. You've also lessened the threat of a heart attack and a stroke. Nicotine, however, is the addicting chemical that keeps people lighting up or chewing. I hate to suggest another medicine to you, but you might want to try Chantix to get your over nicotine withdrawal symptoms. It can take you six to eight weeks to achieve that goal.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com. 2006 North America Syndicate Inc. All Rights Reserved