If I have several ulcers in my mouth, are there also ulcers in my stomach? Or is this an old wives' tale?

Betty

Ulcers in the mouth are often referred to as "aphthous ulcers" or canker sores. These ulcers are common and may be seen in otherwise healthy people. They frequently occur in times of stress and may be aggravated by certain foods, such as orange juice and other citrus beverages. It is thought that an abnormality in the immune system leads to formation of these ulcers, but the exact cause remains unknown. Some evidence also points to certain vitamin deficiencies as a cause. Although oral ulcers typically heal on their own, the process sometimes takes longer time with larger ulcers. Local steroid ointments seem to improve healing of these ulcers.

To answer your question, it is probably an old wives' tale that oral ulcers are a sign of stomach ulcers. However, there is an association between oral ulcers and other intestinal diseases. Oral ulcers are frequently seen as part of both Crohn's disease and Behcet's disease. Both of these diseases involve inflammation of the small and/or large bowel, often leading to small ulcers in the lining of the intestinal tract. It is important to remember that both Crohn's and Behcet's are relatively uncommon -- and that oral ulcers are a very common. So, just because you have an oral ulcer, you should not assume you have developed one of these serious intestinal conditions. However, if you have multiple, recurrent oral ulcers, large ulcers or ulcers that are slow to heal, a consultation with a gastroenterologist is warranted.