Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Tongue problems

Table of Contents

Hairy tongue is a harmless condition in which the tongue looks hairy or furry. The disorder usually goes away with antibiotics.

BLACK TONGUE

Sometimes the upper surface of the tongue turns black or brown in color. This is an unsightly condition but it is not harmful.

PAIN IN THE TONGUE

Pain may occur with glossitis and geographic tongue. Tongue pain may also occur with:

  • Diabetic neuropathy
  • Leukoplakia
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Oral cancer

After menopause, some women have a sudden feeling that their tongue has been burned. This is called burning tongue syndrome or idiopathic glossopyrosis. There is no specific treatment for burning tongue syndrome, but capsaicin (the ingredient that makes peppers spicy) can offer relief to some patients.


Common Causes

Minor infections or irritations are the most common cause of tongue soreness. Injury, such as biting the tongue, can cause painful sores. Heavy smoking can irritate the tongue and make it painful.

A viral ulcer, also called a canker sore, commonly appears on the tongue (or anywhere in the mouth) for no obvious reason. Some doctors believe that these ulcers are linked to emotional stress or fatigue, although this has not been proved.

Possible causes of tongue pain include:

  • Anemia
  • Cancer
  • Dentures that irritate the tongue
  • Oral herpes (ulcers)
  • Neuralgia
  • Pain from teeth and gums
  • Pain from the heart

Possible causes of tongue tremor:

  • Neurological disorder
  • Overactive thyroid

Possible causes of white tongue:

  • Local irritation
  • Smoking and alcohol use

Possible causes of smooth tongue:

  • Anemia
  • Vitamin B12 deficiency

Possible causes of red (ranging from pink to magenta) tongue:

  • Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency
  • Pellagra
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Plummer-Vinson syndrome
  • Sprue

Possible causes of tongue swelling:

  • Acromegaly
  • Allergic reaction to food or medicine
  • Amyloidosis
  • Angioedema
  • Beckwith syndrome
  • Cancer of the tongue
  • Congenital micrognathia
  • Down syndrome
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Infection
  • Leukemia
  • Lymphangioma
  • Neurofibromatosis
  • Pellagra
  • Pernicious anemia
  • Strep infection
  • Tumor of the pituitary gland

Possible causes of a hairy tongue:

  • AIDS
  • Antibiotic therapy
  • Drinking coffee
  • Dyes in drugs and food
  • Chronic medical conditions
  • Overuse of mouthwashes containing oxidizing or astringent ingredients
  • Radiation of the head and neck
  • Tobacco use

Possible cause of grooves in the tongue:

  • Birth defect -- normally occurs in 10% of population

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Review Date: 03/05/2011
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)