At home, you can conduct a quick health diagnosis yourself. All that is necessary for this is to examine the tongue with a mirror. A change in its color and shape will tell you a lot about the functioning of internal organs. This simple method should not be neglected. With its help, you can prevent the development of dangerous pathologies in time. Some of them are indicated by a rough tongue.
Tongue is an indicator of health
It is recommended to examine the tongue in the morning, on an empty stomach. In a healthy person, its color is pale pink, and the taste buds are easily distinguishable. Normally, it has a faint whitish coating that can be easily removed with a toothbrush or a special scraper. The complete absence of such cover should be no less alarming than its excessive amount.
Any changes that occur in the oral cavity should attract a person’s attention. They may indicate the formation of pathological processes in the body. A decrease in the amount or complete cessation of saliva production leads to the development of severe dry mouth. A rough tongue will immediately signal this to a person, since due to a lack of moisture on its surface, difficulties will arise when swallowing and chewing food.
Dry tongue can occur with severe nervous excitement or stress. From a physiological point of view, this is a normal situation. As soon as the person calms down, saliva production returns to normal. If there have been no emotional upheavals, and dryness has been observed for a long time, you should look for other causes of a rough tongue. An experienced doctor will help in this situation.
The causes of dry tongue may be the following:
- dehydration and intoxication;
- heart pathologies;
- tongue burn;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- glossitis;
- chronic tonsillitis;
- liver pathologies;
- stagnation of food;
- blood diseases;
- HIV;
- kidney problems;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- inflammation of the salivary glands, as well as their malignant and benign tumors;
- diabetes;
- infectious lesions.
Despite the impressive list of pathologies that cause roughness and dryness of the tongue, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary system, and infections are most often diagnosed. Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis after a thorough diagnosis. He will prescribe treatment that will help defeat the underlying disease. After this, the rough tongue will definitely return to normal.
Epilepsy attack. What to do
Note Lakhta Clinics. If someone nearby becomes ill - the person suddenly loses consciousness, convulsions begin, acute pain in the heart, etc. - it is very easy to become confused. Few of us are able to act instantly and calmly in such a situation. Much more often, as they say, everything that was stored there for such an event flies out of your head. And yet some basic things must always be known and remembered; and even if we know and remember, it’s never a bad idea to repeat it.
What if the victim swallows his tongue?
It is physically impossible to swallow the tongue. The surrounding tissues hold it tightly in the mouth, and the relative position of the anatomical structures prevents the tongue from being swallowed under any circumstances. Breathing difficulties may occur, but for a different reason.
And yet, the myth about the swallowed tongue (during an epileptic attack, fainting, in a dream, etc.) is so tenacious, and questions on this topic are asked so often that it is worth stopping here and understanding in more detail.
According to explanations from specialists from Johns Hopkins Medicine, the tongue is a movable oblong muscle, one end tightly fixed in the mouth. In addition, a piece of tissue called the frenulum of the tongue connects the base of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, and it is this connection that prevents the tongue from being pushed into the pharynx and further into the esophagus. Most likely, by the risk of swallowing the tongue, people mean a completely different situation: in some conditions the tongue can “sink”, i.e. lean back toward the hypopharynx, thereby blocking the airway. This can happen if a person loses consciousness and lies on his back with completely relaxed muscles. At the same time, the tongue also loses its tone, and when it retracts, the air lumen is partially or completely blocked. The same thing can happen during a night's rest if a person suffers from obstructive sleep apnea, and this is really unsafe.
What to do
In emergency medicine, there is the concept of “recovery position” (rescue position of the body, rehabilitation position, etc.). If a person loses consciousness, it is necessary to immediately ensure that the head and torso are positioned in such a way that neither obstruction of the respiratory tract by the tongue, nor choking on vomit, blood, etc. will occur.
Try to mentally practice what you will do in case someone near you faints.
Kneel down next to the person who has fallen to their knees.
Release the victim's hand closest to you (if necessary), place it at a right angle to the body and turn it palm up.
Bend your other arm so that the back of your hand touches the cheek opposite your arm.
The victim's leg closest to you should be straight out. Bend his other leg, raising his knee up.
Using the bent knee as a lever, pull and roll the victim to the side so that his head ends up resting with his cheek on the palm of his hand.
Leave your bent leg in a running position to stabilize your body position.
Make sure that the tongue in the mouth has moved forward and is not obstructing breathing.
The UK National Health Service has prepared and made available to the public a short special video that clearly shows the sequence of your actions when providing first aid. The accompanying text and subtitles, of course, are in English, but here it is much more important not to read, but to see exactly how the victim is provided with a life-saving position. Believe me, it is not called that by chance.
Oral trauma
Another group of common complications associated with a seizure are oral injuries. The electronic National Library of Medicine PubMed contains a report on a survey that in 2017, specialists from the Polish Neurological Society conducted among patients with epilepsy. By studying the frequency of various injuries sustained during attacks, the study authors found that:
- 52.4% confirmed cases of injury to the lips, tongue and cheeks during seizures;
— 18% noted cracking of teeth;
- 17% of patients had broken teeth.
Involuntary biting of the tongue on one or both sides is a very common injury in these conditions. It has long been believed that a first aid provider must release and hold a person's tongue in an attack to prevent this type of injury or blockage of breathing. However, practice shows that this can be even more dangerous. Modern guidelines strongly advise against placing anything between the patient's teeth during a seizure - this applies to any objects, especially fingers. Epilepsy Ontario's educational materials state that such attempts may result in:
- jaw fracture;
- tooth decay;
- asphyxia (blocking air access) in the victim.
Help before a seizure
Many people suffering from epilepsy experience a so-called aura - a complex of certain sensations indicating the approach of an attack (although in other patients a seizure may begin completely unexpectedly, literally “out of the blue”).
If you know a person and you understand that he is becoming unwell, or someone is giving you similar signals through speech or gestures, take the following steps:
— carefully move the person away from the roadway if the situation is unfolding on the street;
— in the room, quickly move away chairs, tables, armchairs and other objects next to which the patient is located, paying special attention to ensuring free space in the head area;
- if it is impossible to move the furniture, cover the nearest hard corners or edges with something soft (blanket, folded sweater, coat, etc.).
— make sure that there are no electrical appliances turned on nearby;
- in a public place, do everything possible to avoid crowds of people around;
- carefully lay the person down if he does not have time to fall;
- carefully place it in a rescue position, as shown above;
- note the time of the onset of the attack.
During an attack
If someone suddenly has a full-blown epileptic seizure, your actions should be as follows:
- carefully lower the person to the floor or ground (if necessary);
- remove glasses from the victim’s face if he is wearing glasses;
- remove, unbutton, loosen any tight or tight clothing, especially if they are worn around the neck or head;
- place something under the head as an airbag, or, as a last resort, hold the victim’s head with your hands to avoid traumatic brain injury;
- cover the patient with a blanket, jacket, jacket or coat;
- if the person remains at least partially conscious, be sure to speak to him in a soft, confident, soothing tone until the attack is over;
- do not try to limit the patient’s movements in any way during an attack, give him artificial respiration, give him anything to drink, etc.;
- if the seizure lasts longer than five minutes, call an ambulance.
After the attack
If the person remains unconscious:
- as described above, turn him into the rescue position (if not already turned) to prevent blockage of the airway;
- check for free breathing;
- Until the victim comes to his senses, keep him covered and contact him every few minutes, waiting for some kind of response.
If the person is conscious
- keep in mind that after an epileptic seizure a person is most likely stunned and disoriented to varying degrees;
- ask the victim’s name and location to assess his level of awareness of his own personality and environment;
- reassure him and explain that he has just experienced a seizure;
- stay close until the person finally comes to his senses, help him sit comfortably in a suitable place;
- look for a medical bracelet on the victim’s wrist, where all the necessary information and/or detailed contacts should be indicated.
- check whether the person was injured during the attack, and if so, provide appropriate first aid;
- make sure that the person is already able to get home by taxi or that someone will escort him to a safe place (if there is no one, you will escort him).
First aid for head injury
Traumatic brain injuries during epileptic seizures are not uncommon; this happens in about half of patients. It is very important that at least someone around you knows how to act in the event that a person suffers a head injury during a seizure (or for any other reason).
If there is reason to believe that an unconscious person may have seriously hit their head, first aid should include the following:
- with all care, place the victim in a saving position;
- make sure the airway is open;
- listen to your breathing;
- call an ambulance yourself or ask someone to do it immediately;
— call the police if there is any threat to security;
— check the victim’s response to treatment every few minutes;
- cover any visible open wounds on the head, discharge from the ears or nose with a sterile bandage or, in its absence, a clean napkin;
- DO NOT PLACE ANYTHING INSIDE your ear or nose;
- treat all other visible wounds and injuries, guided by basic first aid principles;
- keep warm by covering the victim with a blanket, coat, warm jacket, etc.;
- stay nearby until the ambulance arrives.
If the victim is conscious, then instead of giving a saving position, it is better to help him take the position that is most comfortable for him. All other points remain in force. We emphasize once again: even if a person is conscious, it is extremely important to remain next to him until the appropriate services arrive with him and monitor how he is breathing.
When is it necessary to call for help?
You should immediately call an ambulance if:
- the victim is familiar to you and you know for sure that this is his first seizure;
- the seizure occurred in the water;
- there are breathing difficulties or the person does not recover for a long time after an attack;
- immediately after one attack the next one begins, while the person does not fully regain consciousness between attacks;
- during a seizure, the victim received an injury, especially a traumatic brain injury;
- the attack began in a pregnant woman;
— the attack occurred in a person who, as you know, suffers from a serious disease(s), for example, chronic heart failure, diabetes, etc.
If a person has epilepsy and has suffered another attack, then once his condition returns to normal, he will be able to independently contact his doctor. Such patients, as a rule, do not need additional help, except, we repeat, in cases where a serious injury is received or a seizure lasts more than five minutes.
Take note
It is basically impossible to swallow the tongue, even during a convulsive attack. However, if a person suddenly loses consciousness, they may suffer serious injury to their mouth or head. Despite this risk, never try to place anything between the victim's teeth, ears, or nose. Carefully re-read the rules for providing assistance outlined above - and simply follow them.
We remind you again and again: if a person is unconscious, first of all give him a recovery position (saving position of the body). By doing this, you will at least prevent the tongue from falling towards the larynx and blocking breathing.
Based on materials from Medical News Today
Pathologies of the digestive tract
Reflexes that can influence the motor and secretory functions of the stomach and intestines are produced by tongue receptors. The opposite effect also occurs. That is, internal organs influence the appearance of pathological reflexes on the surface of the tongue. For example, its rough root and white coating will tell the doctor that the patient suffers from gastritis with low acidity. Pain and burning sensations in the esophagus, heartburn can complement the clinical picture.
A rough tongue covered with a gray coating may indicate the development of an intestinal ulcer. An additional factor indicating this pathology is heartburn and a burning sensation in the mouth.
Colitis, in addition to roughness, is characterized by an increase in the size of the tongue; teeth marks may even remain along its edges. With duodenitis and biliary dyskinesia, the thickness of the plaque increases significantly. A slight roughness of the tongue rarely causes discomfort. But a dense coating can negatively affect the sense of taste, reducing the sensitivity of the papillae.
Dental causes of burning sensation in the mouth
When the first symptoms appear, you should contact your dentist, because most often the reasons are related to his profile:
- Oral candidiasis
A burning sensation in the mouth and tongue after prosthetics or filling in most cases indicates poor quality of the procedure. The dentist could damage the mucous membrane during the operation or incorrectly manufacture the prosthesis itself. Some patients are allergic to the filling composition.
- With candidiasis, the tip of the tongue stings the most, there is a feeling that the palate is burned, and there is a bitter taste. Sometimes there is pain in the throat area. The disease manifests itself due to the active proliferation of yeast fungus against a background of weakened immunity.
- Stomatitis
The cause of the disease can be glossitis. With this disease, due to the action of viruses and bacteria, the entire mucous membrane of the tongue experiences a strong burning sensation.
- Aphthous stomatitis is another disease that causes a burning sensation in the mouth. With it, small ulcers form on the mucous membrane, which hurt when touched. There is an unpleasant sensation in the mouth, like a burn from hot drinks.
Diseases of the pulmonary system
A white, rough tongue occurs in patients at an early stage of the development of diseases of this organ. Inflammation in the bronchi is indicated by a thick and dry plaque located at its tip. If it begins to thicken and acquire a yellow tint, this will tell the doctor that the pathology is progressing. Additionally, the patient will experience other symptoms. For example, weakness, unpleasant odor and dry mouth.
Characteristic changes in the condition of the tongue are observed in pathologies such as scarlet fever. First, an extensive yellow or gray-white coating forms. It thickens every day. The fungiform papillae are clearly visible under the plaque. They are distinguished by a rich red color and are surrounded by a white border. After a week, the plaque disappears, and the tongue changes color to crimson.
Infectious and other diseases
There are many pathogenic fungi and bacteria in the oral cavity. Their growth is inhibited by the body's immune system. As soon as its operation fails, the infection begins its attack.
In humans, a rough tongue and a white coating on the tonsils may indicate the development of follicular or catarrhal tonsillitis. The disease is accompanied by a sore throat and fever. The causative agents of the disease are streptococci and staphylococci.
The culprit of oral thrush is the fungus Candida. A very dense white coating appears on the surface of the tongue. If you try to remove it, the mucous membrane underneath will begin to bleed. The development of this chronic pathology is observed in patients with HIV infection.
Dry tongue is accompanied by disruption of the thyroid gland. Symptoms such as sweating, loss of appetite, diarrhea, irritability and anxiety are observed.
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by the development of thirst, the patient’s tongue becomes rough and dry.
If dense white plaque is concentrated on its sides and tip, this may indicate the development of hidden renal failure. This is a very serious problem that can cause death. Therefore, if you notice such formations on your tongue, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Treatment of burning sensation in the mouth and tongue
The emphasis is on eliminating the cause of the burning sensation in the mouth, but additional measures necessary to alleviate the symptoms are also prescribed.
Treating the underlying cause of pinching
If it becomes clear that the cause of the burning sensation in the mouth lies in a serious disease, first all efforts will be directed specifically at eliminating it. A therapist or specialist doctor may prescribe the following treatment:
- If an allergy is detected, the patient is prescribed antihistamines. It is recommended to completely avoid contact with the allergen.
- In case of a lack of nutrients, which has led to unpleasant sensations in the mouth and tongue, special medications are prescribed. Moreover, preference is given not to complexes, but to those products that contain only the necessary substances. In this case, these include B vitamins and folic acid.
Fungal diseases should be treated with antibiotics and disinfectant rinses.
- If problems with hormonal levels are detected, a thorough examination is first carried out, which can take more than one month. All this time, the patient is prescribed medications that relieve the burning sensation in the throat and tongue, and only at the very end are hormonal medications prescribed.
- For diabetes, medications are also recommended that can alleviate the patient’s condition. The main treatment is medication and diet, which you will have to follow for the rest of your life.
- If the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue and lips “burn” due to stress or dry syndrome, the patient will have to visit a neurologist, and sometimes even a psychologist. Usually in such cases it is most difficult to eliminate dryness and burning, since the causes of such symptoms are not completely clear.
Treatment for burning mouth at home
Treatment is divided into two stages: addressing the underlying cause and taking steps to relieve symptoms.
One without the other will be ineffective. To relieve the patient from burning of the oral mucosa, the following recommendations are usually given:
- Regular rinsing of the mouth with diluted antiseptics: Chlorhexidine, Furacilin, Miramistin. The composition is not so important, the main thing is that the product gets rid of bacteria.
- If there are damage to the mucous membrane, it is necessary to treat them with iodine-based ointments or other drugs that promote rapid healing.
- You can get rid of a burning sensation in the mouth using ointments with an anesthetic effect. Remedies such as Kamistad and Lidocaine are excellent for pain relief.
- If your mouth is dry, the symptom can be treated with folk remedies. Rinsing with the addition of sea buckthorn oil will help best.
The list may be longer if there are other symptoms, such as fever or general malaise.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia affects the mucous membranes. Often this is the reason why the tongue becomes rough. This pathology can be easily confused with thrush. A white coating also appears on the tongue, but it has clearly defined edges. Its surface is rough and dry. It is impossible to remove plaque with a spatula.
The reasons for the development of this pathology have not been fully identified. It is believed that the main role is played by provoking factors: thermal, physical and chemical irritation. Particularly dangerous is the influence of several agents at once. For example, irritation by galvanic current, which is formed as a result of the use of dissimilar metal prostheses. As well as mechanical damage to the mucous membrane from dental instruments. In smokers, leukoplakia can occur as a result of exposure to smoke and high temperatures.
Internal factors play an important role in the development of the disease. These are hormonal abnormalities, gastroenterological diseases, and lack of vitamin A. The danger of the disease is that it can gradually transform into cancer.
Diagnosis and treatment
The doctor can prescribe treatment only after he determines exactly why the tongue is rough. Sometimes the cause can be identified immediately and there is no need for numerous diagnostic procedures. But in some cases it may be necessary:
- complete blood count;
- bacteriological study of oral microflora;
- gastroscopy;
- Ultrasound;
- bronchoscopy;
- acid reflux test.
Once the underlying disease is identified, the doctor will be able to prescribe treatment for the patient. The tongue will return to normal as soon as the patient’s condition begins to improve. To eliminate dry mouth and reduce pain, the doctor additionally prescribes rinses with various antiseptics.
Principles of treatment
The treatment regimen proposed by the doctors of the Leto clinic is aimed at restoring normal psycho-emotional status, eliminating symptoms that bother the patient and preventing secondary complications. If the tongue twitches during neurosis or other symptoms of the syndrome are pronounced, drug treatment is indicated. It includes:
- sedatives;
- non-benzodiazepine anxiolytics;
- according to indications (for example, for severe insomnia) - antipsychotics;
- B vitamins, tocopherol, omega complex;
- nicotinic and ascorbic acid, drugs based on adenosine triphosphoric acid, glycine;
- iron supplements.
Various physiotherapeutic procedures that have a relaxing and calming effect have proven themselves well. We recommend:
- massage of the collar area;
- ozone and oxygen therapy;
- transcutaneous and transcranial electrical stimulation;
- hirudotherapy;
- laser therapy.
Regardless of clinical manifestations, neurotic disorders are an indication for consultation with a psychologist. The doctor will help the patient understand the cause of such unpleasant sensations, tell him how to properly respond to conflict and stressful situations, and help him find a solution to the problems that bother him.
Tongue neurosis is a rare disease, but quite amenable to outpatient treatment. You can get more detailed information from our consultants by calling 24/7 anonymous phone number 8(969)060-93-93 .
Treatment with traditional methods
There are several effective traditional medicine recipes that help alleviate the patient’s condition. It is recommended to rinse a rough tongue with infusions of the following medicinal plants:
- sage;
- chamomile;
- calendula;
- Oak bark;
- mint;
- sea buckthorn.
To prepare the infusion, pour a teaspoon of the selected ingredient into a glass of boiling water and leave for several minutes. After the liquid has cooled, it is filtered and used for rinsing. You can add a drop of iodine, aloe juice or honey to the finished infusion.
In addition, you can put a cotton pad soaked in rosehip oil, propolis tincture or a mixture of carrot and potato juices on your tongue for a few minutes. This procedure will relieve pain, moisturize, soothe and disinfect the mucous membrane. After 3-5 minutes, the cotton pad should be removed and your mouth should be rinsed with warm water.
Reviews about the treatment
Patients often leave reviews about how they managed to cure a rough tongue. In some cases, therapy does not take much time. Improvement occurs quickly after using regular rinses with medicinal herbs. Lubricating the surface of the tongue with sea buckthorn oil gives good results.
In the event that dryness, plaque and roughness of the tongue are associated with the development of serious pathologies, it is not possible to manage only with antiseptic rinses. Patients often write that they have come a long way before they were given the correct diagnosis. Only after complete recovery were they able to forget about the problem of dry and rough tongue.
