Mouth ulcers may be a part of quitting smoking
7 March 2003
GPs have been advised to inform smokers trying to quit that they could develop a cold or mouth ulcers.
The recommendation was made by UK researchers, who provided for the first time clear evidence of a significant increase in cold symptoms and mouth ulcers following smoking cessation (Tobacco Control 2003; 12: 86-88).
‘Being psychologically prepared for these effects is likely to mitigate their impact on the cessation attempt,’ the researchers suggested.
The study involved 174 people who smoked at least 10 cigarettes a day for 3 or more years.
Of those who stopped smoking for at least 6 weeks, increases in reports of mouth ulcers and cold symptoms occurred during the first 2 weeks of quitting.
The development of mouth ulcers could be related to the absence of the antibacterial effect of smoking, whereas cold symptoms could be explained by a reduction in salivary immunoglobulin A after quitting, the researchers said.
University of NSW Professor Nicolas Zwar, who has researched smoking cessation in general practice, said mouth ulcers and cold symptoms following smoking cessation were rare, but patients often complained of ‘coughing up mucus’.
Last Reviewed: 07 March 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 7/03/03
