Noma - The Disease that Destroys Smiley Faces

There are many unfortunate people around the world, especially people in the developing countries. They do not even have the basic food and necessities to allow them to live healthily. Horrifying diseases roam, leaving the people in great agony. 

Gangrenous stomatitis, commonly known as Noma, is a condition whereby the mucous membrane of the mouth and other tissues of the patients are destroyed. This disorder usually occurs in developing countires where there is malnutrition and poor cleanliness. This is also more often seen in young, severely malnourished children of young age (2- to 5-year-old).  

Once infected, Noma causes rapid tissue destruction, the gums and cheeks become inflammed and ulcers develop. The ulcers and destroyed tissues lead to severe breath odor. Infection of the tissues then spread to the skin, lips and cheeks, eventually destroying the soft tissue and bone around the infected regions. The infection will lead to deformities and loss of teeth. The patients' facial features will be severely disfigured and the normal functions of the jaws will be greatly impaired. 

The actual cause of the disorder is still not known. However, it might be due to a type of bacteria. Antibiotics and improved nutrition can aid in controlling the disorder. The condition can be fatal in some cases if left untreated; on the other hand, the condition might heal eventually even without treatment. To treat the disorder, surgery might be required to remove the destroyed tissues, and plastic surgery will be required to reconstruct the facial bones. Patients recovered from the disorder will have horrifying scars on their faces. 

This might look horrifying to you, do bear in mind that this kid
do not have a choice, if he does, a life free of disease is all he desires.

To reduce the risk of Noma, it is important to improve hygiene level and nutrition. However, sad to say, these two basic preventions are often the hardest to fulfill in most of the developing countries.