Burning mouth syndrome- Type 3
Overview
Burning mouth syndrome- Type 3: A rare condition where there is a burning sensation in the mouth and tongue. Type 3 describes mouth burning that comes and goes during the day and is often linked to anxiety and allergies (especially food additives)
Symptoms
* Tongue pain * Burning tongue sensation * Burning mouth sensation * Disturbed sense of taste * Dry mouth
Diagnosis
You’ll encounter patients with mental and emotional problems in all clinical areas and settings. Begin your care of these patients with a psychosocial assessment. For this assessment to be effective, you need to establish a therapeutic relationship with the patient that’s based on trust. You must communicate to him that his thoughts and behaviors are important. Effective communication involves sending and receiving messages. (See Communication barriers.) Words count, as does nonverbal communication — such as eye contact, posture, facial expressions, gestures, clothing, affect, and even silence. All can convey a powerful message. Choose a quiet, private setting for the assessment interview. Interruptions and distractions threaten confidentiality and interfere with effective listening. If you’re meeting the patient for the first time, introduce yourself and explain the interview’s purpose. Sit at a comfortable distance from the patient, and give him your undivided attention. During the interview, adopt a professional but friendly attitude, and maintain eye contact to the level that the patient can tolerate. A calm, nonthreatening tone of voice will encourage the patient to talk more openly. Avoid value judgments. Don’t rush through the interview; building a trusting therapeutic relationship takes time.