Language problems: what is this, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Tongue problems; Dark tongue; Burning tongue syndrome – symptoms

Language problems are a common medical problem, which can cause discomfort and pain. The tongue is a vital organ in the body, which helps to taste, swallow and speak. It is also responsible for moving food around in the mouth during chewing and swallowing.. When something goes wrong with the language, this can cause a lot of problems, that can affect a person's overall health and well-being.

Causes of language problems

Language problems can be caused by various factors.. There are many different reasons for changing the function and appearance of the language..

PROBLEMS OF LANGUAGE MOVEMENT

Tongue movement problems are most often caused by nerve damage.. In rare cases, problems with tongue movement can also be caused by a medical condition., at which the strip of fabric, attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth, too short. It's called ankyloglossia.

Problems with tongue movement can lead to:

• Problems with breastfeeding in newborns
• difficulty moving food while chewing and swallowing;
• Problems with speech

TASTE ISSUES

Taste problems can be caused:

• Damage to taste buds
• Problems with the nerves
• Side effects of some medications
• Infection or other condition

Tongue usually feels sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes. Other "tastes" are actually a function of smell.

INCREASING THE SIZE OF THE LANGUAGE

Swelling of the tongue occurs when:

• Akromegalija
• Amiloidoz
• Down's syndrome
• Myxedema
• raʙdomioma
• Prader-Willi syndrome
• Cancer language

Tongue may become wider in humans, who have no teeth and who do not wear dentures.

Sudden swelling of the tongue can occur due to an allergic reaction or a side effect of medications..

COLOR CHANGE

Color change may occur, when the tongue is inflamed ( glossitis ). Nipples (bumps on the tongue) disappear, making the tongue look smooth. Geographic tongue is a patchy form of glossitis, in which the location of the inflammation and the appearance of the tongue change from day to day.

BLACK HAIRY TONGUE

Hairy tongue is a condition, in which the tongue looks hairy or furry. Sometimes it can be treated with antifungal drugs.

BLACK LANGUAGE

Sometimes the upper surface of the tongue turns black or brown. It's an unsightly state, but not harmful.

Pain in the tongue

Pain may occur with glossitis and geographic tongue. Pain in the tongue can also occur with:

• Diabeticheskaya neuropathy
• leukoplakia
• Mouth ulcers
• oral cancer

After menopause, some women experience a sudden sensation, that their tongue is burned. This is called burning tongue syndrome or idiopathic glossopyrosis.. There is no specific treatment for burning tongue syndrome., but capsaicin may help some people (ingredient, which makes the pepper hot).

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

Often a benign ulcer on the tongue or elsewhere in the mouth. This is called a peptic ulcer and may appear for no known reason..

Possible causes of tongue pain include:

• Anemia
• Cancer
• Prostheses, 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 gland

Possible causes of white tongue:

• Local irritation
• Smoking and drinking

Possible causes of tongue smoothness:

• Anemia
• Vitamin B12 deficiency

Possible causes of red (pink to reddish purple) language:

• Folic acid and vitamin B12 deficiency
• Pellagra
• Zlokachestvennaya anemia
• Plummer-Vinson Syndrome
• Gate

Possible causes of swelling of the tongue:

• Akromegalija
• Allergic reaction to food or medicine
• Amiloidoz
• Angioedema
• Beckwith syndrome
• Cancer language
• congenital micrognathia
• Down's syndrome
• Gipotireoz
• Infection
• Leukemia
• Limfangioma
• nejrofiʙromatoz
• Pellagra
• Zlokachestvennaya anemia
• streptococcal infection
• Pituitary tumor

Possible Causes of a Hairy Tongue:

• AIDS
• Antibiotic therapy
• coffee consumption
• Dyes in medicines and food
• Chronic diseases
• Excessive use of mouthwashes, containing oxidizing or astringent ingredients.
• Irradiation of the head and neck
• Tobacco

Symptoms of language problems

Symptoms of tongue problems vary depending on the cause.. Common symptoms include pain, edema, redness, itching and white patches or coating on the tongue.

When to contact a healthcare professional

It is important to see a doctor, if you experience any of the above symptoms. In some cases, tongue problems can be a sign of a more serious underlying condition.. It is important to get a diagnosis from a doctor, to determine the best course of treatment.

Questions, that your doctor may ask

When you visit your doctor for language problems, it, probably, ask you some questions, to better understand your symptoms. These questions may include:

• When symptoms appeared?
• What do the symptoms look like?
• Have you noticed any changes in your language?
• Are there products, that worsen symptoms?
• Are there any other diseases or medications, that you take?

Diagnosing Language Problems

To diagnose language problems, your doctor, probably, conduct a medical examination and collect a medical history. They may also order tests., such as blood tests, to check basic conditions.

Treatment of language problems

Treatment for tongue problems depends on the cause.

• Infection: antibiotics may be prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Antifungal drugs may be prescribed to treat fungal infections. Viral infections may not require treatment, because they usually go away on their own.
• physical injury. Treatment for a physical injury may include pain medications and topical medications to reduce swelling and pain..
• Alimentary allergy. Food allergy treatment may include avoiding food, causing a reaction, and taking antihistamines to reduce swelling and itching.
• Medical conditions: treatment of medical conditions may include medications to control the condition and dietary changes to ensure adequate nutrition.

Home treatment for tongue problems

In addition to medication, there are also some home remedies., which may help reduce the symptoms of language problems. These include:

• Gargling with warm salt water
• Avoid foods, that irritate the tongue
• Applying a cold compress to the tongue
• There is a soft, tasteless food
• Drinking large amounts of fluid
• Avoid spicy and acidic foods.
• Refusal of alcohol and tobacco

Prevention of language problems

The best way to prevent tongue problems is to practice proper oral hygiene.. This includes brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing daily and using a tongue scraper to remove bacteria from the tongue. It is also important to practice safe eating habits and avoid foods., which can cause allergies. Besides, it is important to have regular dental check-ups and see a doctor, if you experience any symptoms of language problems.

Used sources and literature

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Pruritus and neurocutaneous dermatoses. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews’ Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 4.

Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM, You AND. Oral manifestations of systemic diseases. In: Neville BW, Damm DD, Allen CM, You AND, eds. Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. 4th ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2016:chap 17.

Pham KL, Mirowski GW. Oral diseases and oral manifestations of gastrointestinal and liver disease. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 24.