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- $Unique_ID{BRK03551}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Burning Mouth Syndrome}
- $Subject{Burning Mouth Syndrome Burning Tongue Syndrome Oral Galvanism
- Glossodynia Glossopyrosis Stomatodynia Stomatopyrosis Glossitis Vitamin B12
- Deficiency}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1986, 1988 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
-
- 234:
- Burning Mouth Syndrome
-
- ** IMPORTANT **
- It is possible that the main title of this article (Burning Mouth
- Syndrome) is not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYM list to
- find the alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
-
- Synonyms
-
- Burning Tongue Syndrome
- Oral Galvanism
- Glossodynia
- Glossopyrosis
- Stomatodynia
- Stomatopyrosis
-
- Information on the following disorders can be found in the Related
- Disorders section of this report:
-
- Glossitis
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency
-
- General Discussion
-
- ** REMINDER **
- The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
- educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
- purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
- contact your physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources" section
- of this report.
-
-
- Burning Mouth (and/or Tongue) Syndrome is characterized by a burning sensation
- in the mouth and/or on the tongue.
-
- Symptoms
-
- Burning Mouth and/or Tongue Syndrome may be the first symptom of vitamin B12
- deficiency. The disorder is characterized by a burning sensation in the
- mouth and/or on the tongue. When Vitamin B12 Deficiency does not cause this
- disorder, a Candida albicans infection or irritation from dentures may cause
- these symptoms.
-
- Causes
-
- The cause of Burning Mouth and/or Tongue Syndrome, when it is not associated
- with Vitamin B12 Deficiency, or the other conditions mentioned above is
- unknown. Many causes have been suggested by researchers, including allergic
- reactions to pollen, cereals, metals and materials used in the manufacture of
- dentures.
-
- A burning feeling in the mouth can be the initial symptom of Vitamin B12
- deficiency. The symptom can disappear when the underlying deficiency is
- corrected.
-
- Affected Population
-
- The majority of people with Burning Mouth Syndrome are women past the onset
- of menopause. The disorder often tends to affect denture wearers. When
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency is identified it is important treat it promptly.
-
- Related Disorders
-
- Symptoms of the following disorders may be similar to those of Burning Mouth
- Syndrome. Comparisons may be useful for a differential diagnosis:
-
- Glossitis is an acute or chronic inflammation of the tongue. Geographic
- Tongue, also known as "Benign Migratory Glossitis" is characterized by denuded
- smooth areas which may be painful. Symptoms of Moeller's Glossitis include a
- slick, glossy or glazed tongue. (For more information, choose "Geographic
- Tongue" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
-
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency is characterized by an abnormally low level of
- this vitamin in the blood. The disorder can be caused either by a poor diet,
- or inadequate absorption (e.g., Pernicious Anemia or bowel surgery) or
- utilization of B12. Changes in the blood and central nervous system may
- occur. A burning sensation in the mouth is one of the first symptoms of
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency. Injection of this vitamin usually cures the disorder
- if the underlying cause is also being corrected. Since excess amounts of
- vitamin B12 are stored in the liver for a long period of time, onset of
- Burning Mouth may be gradual with other symptoms following much later. (For
- more information, choose "Vitamin B12 Deficiency" as your search term in the
- Rare Disease Database.)
-
- Therapies: Standard
-
- Treatment of Burning Mouth Syndrome consists of intramuscular injections of
- vitamin B12 if it is caused by this vitamin deficiency. If it is not caused
- by B12 deficiency vitamin supplements are not recommended. If patients prove
- to be allergic to substances in their dentures, another set should be made
- from other materials. When allergies to other substances cause this
- disorder, conventional treatment for allergy is recommended if contact with
- the substance cannot be avoided.
-
- Therapies: Investigational
-
- This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
- November 1988. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to
- keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and
- accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for
- the most current information about this disorder.
-
- Resources
-
- For more information on Burning Mouth Syndrome, please contact:
-
- National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
- P.O. Box 8923
- New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
- (203) 746-6518
-
- NIH/National Institute of Dental Research
- 9000 Rockville Pike
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 496-4261
-
- For more information about Vitamin B-12 Deficiency contact:
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
- Box NDDIC
- Bethesda, MD 20892
- (301) 468-6344
-
- References
-
- BURNING MOUTH: AN ANALYSIS OF 57 PATIENTS: D.J. Zegarelli; Oral Surg (July
- 1984: issue 58(1)). Pp. 34-38.
-
- ORAL MUCOSAL DISORDERS IN DENTURE WEARERS: J.L. Dorey, et al.; Journal
- Prosthet Dent (February 1985: issue 53(2)). Pp. 210-213.
-
- CLINICAL FEATURES OF BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME: M. Grushka; Oral Surg Oral
- Med Oral Pathol (January 1987: issue 63(1)). Pp. 30-36.
-
- ISOTOPE-DILUTION ASSAY FOR URINARY METHYLMALONIC ACID IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF
- VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY. A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL EVALUATION: D.B. Matchar, et
- al.; Ann Intern Med (May 1987: issue 106(5)). Pp. 707-710.
-
-