Abstract

ORAL SUBMUCOUS FIBROSIS – A LITERARY REVIEW ACCORDING TO MODERN SCIENCES AND AYURVEDA.

Dr. Shubhangi Suresh Avhad and Dr. Chandana Abhay Virkar

Abstract

Oral submucous fibrosis is a precancerous disease of oral mucosa predominantly found in India and few other Asian countries as a result of chewing areca nut and its byproducts. It is characterized by juxta epithelial inflammatory reaction and progressive fibrosis of submucosal tissues of oral cavity and sometimes pharynx. Symptoms include burning sensation, ulcerations, xerostomia, vesicle formation, fibrosis, difficulty in opening mouth and malignancy of oral cavity in some cases which greatly affects patient’s quality of life. Arecoline found in betel nut increases the formation of collagen which leads to fibrosis. Deficiencies of micronutrients also play important role in development of the disease. Acharya Sushruta has described similar symptoms in Sarvasar Mukharoga which means diseases of oral cavity. Treatment for this disease is stoppage of chewing habits, avoiding irritants, nutritional supplements, oral hygiene and steroids. This article gives a brief modern and Ayurvedic review of etiopathogenesis, clinical features, treatment, preventive measures of Oral Submucous Fibrosis.

Keywords: areca nut, collagen deposition, hypoxia, trismus, fibrosis, sarvasar mukharoga.