sore tongue and mouth

[tamirra]

Hi, my mum is suffering with a very sore mouth and tongue, its the sides of her tongue that are very red and sore but not ulcerated, the roof and gums are too, but she does have a few ulcers in her mouth, i have search on line but cant seem to find anything that relates to the symptoms, any help appreciated. Thanks.

[Ethel]

That's what doctor's are for. It could be a large number of things and all we can do is hazard is guess. It could be as simple as new dentures

[tamirra]

Hi, yes she said she may have to go to the doctor, its not the first time shes had them it has happened twice before now, she dosn`t have new dentures as she dosn`t have any, but thank you for you reply Ethel. x

[unhappychick]

Sounds like vitamin B Deficiency...a simple blood test at the doctors can confirm this..hope this of of some help to you!

[Julian74]

...if she's got a sore throat over next few days, feeling run down with small spots appearing under skin on hands (sometimes toes too) this could be Hand Foot and Mouth Disease.......I had this a few weeks ago

[tamirra]

Hi Julian74, ive looked at the site for foot and mouth disease and she hasn`t got all the symptoms and as i said in my note that this isn`t the first time she had it and she never go the rash under the skin, but thanks.

[sqad617]

Agree with all above, see your Dr for a blood test. Any anaemia or Vit. deficiencies come to mind particularly Vit B12 deficiency (Pernicious Anaemia)

[puddicat]

yep sounds like a vitamin deficency,someone mentioning pernicous anaemia,thats serious a mate suffered from that has ure mum lost loads of weight?mind you if your mouth hurts you wont want to eat!

[theprof]

B12 deficiency is certainly a possibility here, but there are a few things I'd like to add.

Firstly, disregard any name you find on a container of vitamin B supplements. Just make sure it says it contains "Vitamin B12". The reason for this is that B12 is not a single substance but rather a number of closely related substances, all of which demonsrate B12 activity.

Secondly, there's every chance a GP will think along the lines of B12 deficiency. However, in order to utilise B12 in the body, we need a substance called Intrinsic factor. Now intrinsic factor is made by cells in the stomach and lack of it is the usual cause of B12 deficiency in the western world. Lack of Intrinsic Factor can becaused by a number of intestinal diseases, stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers. it can also be caused by recent lower abdominal surgery. If your mum has had any of these recently, then you may like to ask the GP if he can get her Intrinsic factor tested.

Thirdly, if your mum has recently had shortness of breath, diarrhoea, tiredness, dizziness, weight loss, tingling in the extremities, unexplained headaches or difficulty with balance when walking, these can also point to pernicious anaemia, which can itself be attributable to B12 deficiency along with the sore mouth and tongue. A simple blood test will reveal all.

[masma]

Does your mum use an inhaler? It's very commom to get oral thrush if you use one. If she does use an inhaler then she should clean her teeth every time she uses them. Oral thrush is common if you are a bit run down. Cordisyl mouth wash is very good at getting rid of it. Other wise.. get her to go to the doc for an antibiotic. I can sympathise with her as I get it regulary (?) it's nasty!

[MrXLA]

Differentail diagnosis:
- Pernicious anaemia (as stated above)
- Geographic tongue/erythema migrans
- Lichen planus
- Lichenoid reaction
- Erythroplakia
- Primary herpetic gingivostomatitis (unlikely)
- Candidal infection/oral thrush
- Frictional keratosis (possible)
- Hypersensitivity/autoimmune disorder
- Vesiculobullous disorder - pemphigoid or phemigus
- Oral chrons disease
- oro-facial granulomatosis