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20:06 Tongue problems - Viral ulcer, also called a canker sore
Tongue problems include pain, swelling, or a change in how the tongue looks.
The tongue is mainly composed of muscles. It is covered with a mucous membrane. Small bumps (papillae) cover the upper surface of the tongue. Between the papillae are the taste buds, which allow you to taste. The tongue moves food to help you chew and swallow.
The tongue also helps you form words.
There are many different reasons for changes in the tongue's function and appearance.
DIFFICULTY MOVING THE TONGUE
Tongue movement problems are most often caused by nerve damage. However, problems moving the tongue may also be caused by ankyloglossia, a disorder where the band of tissue that attaches the tongue to the floor of the mouth is too short. Tongue movement disorders may result in speech difficulties or difficulty moving food during chewing and swallowing.
TASTE ABNORMALITIES
Taste problems can be caused by damage to the taste buds, nerve problems, side effects of medications, an infection, or other condition. The tongue normally senses sweet, salty, sour, and bitter tastes. Other "tastes" are actually a function of the sense of smell.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE TONGUE
Tongue swelling occurs with Down syndrome, acromegaly, myxedema, amyloidosis, rhabdomyoma, and other disorders. The tongue may get wider in persons who have no teeth and do not wear dentures.
COLOR CHANGES
Color changes may occur with inflammation of the tongue (glossitis). Papillae are lost, causing the tongue to appear smooth. Geographic tongue is a patchy form of glossitis where the location of inflammation and the appearance of the tongue change from day to day.
HAIRY TONGUE
Hairy tongue is a harmless condition in which the tongue looks hairy or furry. Its appearance can be worrisome. 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 is not harmful.
PAIN IN THE TONGUE
This may occur with glossitis and geographic tongue. Tongue pain may also occur in with diabetic neuropathy, oral cancer, mouth ulcers, and leukoplakia.
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.
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The goal of treatment is to eliminate the lesion. Removal of the source of irritation is important and may lead to disappearance of the lesion.
Dental causes such as rough teeth, irregular denture surface, or fillings should be treated as soon as possible.
Smoking or other tobacco use should be stopped.
Surgical removal of the lesion may be necessary. The lesion is usually removed in your health care provider's office with the use of local anesthesia.
Some research has shown that vitamin A or vitamin E may shrink lesions, but this should only be administered with close supervision by a health care provider.
Treatment of leukoplakia on the vulva is the same as treatment of oral lesions.
Leukoplakia is usually harmless, and lesions usually clear in a few weeks or months after the source of irritation is removed. Approximately 3% of leukoplakia lesions develop cancerous changes.
Hairy leukoplakia is often a sign of HIV infection and an increased likelihood of developing AIDS
Chronic discomfort
Infection of the lesion
Oral cancer
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have any lesions resembling leukoplakia or hairy leukoplakia.
Minimize or stop smoking or other tobacco use. Have rough teeth treated and dental appliances repaired promptly.
Safer sexual practices minimize the risk of contracting sexually-transmitted diseases, including HIV.
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