Many people suffer, to a greater or lesser degree, from mouth ulcers or sores. Although they may seem minor, they can become a significant source of discomfort in daily life. Once a mouth ulcer develops, even talking, eating and enjoying a favorite meal can become difficult. To get quick relief, sufferers turn to various home remedies and treatments.
Most mouth ulcers heal on their own within one to two weeks. For this reason, many people do not take them seriously. But experts say this neglect can sometimes be the cause of a more serious health risk.
In a report published in an Indian news outlet, internal medicine specialist Dr. Aniket Mule said mouth ulcers may not always be a minor problem. In many cases they carry signs of a serious disease or health complication hidden within the body. He advised that frequent or long-lasting mouth ulcers should therefore be taken seriously.
Causes of mouth ulcers: mental stress and lack of adequate sleep can lead to such ulcers. They can also result from accidentally biting the cheek or tongue while eating, eating excessively spicy or hot food, a lack of water in the body or dehydration, and some deficiency of vitamins or nutrients.
Diseases that may cause them: the health of the mouth often gives early warning of various serious problems inside the body. Repeated mouth ulcers, for example, can be a sign of a deficiency in essential elements such as vitamin B12, iron or folate. They can also appear as a sign of a problem with the body’s immune defenses (an immune disorder), a metabolic condition or some other long-term chronic disease.
When to see a doctor: on this point, Dr. Aniket said that if a mouth ulcer clears up within a week or two, that is one thing. But if it does not heal and something abnormal is seen, a doctor’s advice should be sought. Certain signs also call for caution — for example, if a mouth ulcer lasts more than two to three weeks and does not subside, if ulcers keep recurring or grow fairly large, or if there is bleeding from the ulcer. Also, if a mouth ulcer is followed by gradually worsening pain in the mouth, difficulty swallowing food, unexplained weight loss, fever or excessive fatigue, a doctor’s advice should be sought. The right treatment: many people, when they get a mouth ulcer, do not go to a doctor but use gel or home remedies from a nearby pharmacy or shop. While these may bring temporary relief, they do not deliver full recovery. As a result, the problem may become complicated later. Depending on how persistent the ulcer is, one should see a doctor. If, instead of healing, the ulcer worsens or complications appear, a doctor’s advice should be sought.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report