Inflammation of the gastric mucosa caused by poor diet, negative effects of bacteria, and alcohol abuse is called gastritis. Types of gastritis are manifested by various symptoms, one of which is plaque on the tongue. This symptom may belong not only to gastritis, but also to other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and other organs.
These can be liver pathologies, dehydration, side effects of medications, as well as intoxication and dyes from food products. In order to correctly diagnose the plaque that appears on the tongue during gastritis, you need to become familiar with the features of this symptom.
Types of gastritis
The largest division of gastritis is acute and chronic. The first occurs immediately after irritating factors come into contact with the gastric mucosa. In case of improper nutrition, it manifests itself in a catarrhal form, in case of poisoning or infection - in a fibrinous form.
Chronic is often caused by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. The disease is characterized by a sluggish course with periodic exacerbations. Based on the localization of the inflammatory process, the following forms are distinguished:
- antrum - in the lower part of the stomach;
- fundal - in the middle section (sometimes extends to the bottom of the organ);
- reflux gastritis - in the area of the pylorus of the stomach.
The chronic type of the disease is characterized by dysfunction of gastric secretion. Its excessive activity causes increased acidity (this form is called hyperacid). With secretory insufficiency, acidity is reduced (this form is called anacid).
Causes of white plaque on the tongue
- Autoimmune gastritis
– a chronic inflammatory process affecting the gastric mucosa. In this disease, antibodies produced by the body attack the epithelial cells of the stomach, causing atrophy of the mucosa. It is a fairly rare pathology. Autoimmune gastritis is characterized by the formation of a white coating on the tongue. In case of exacerbation, the color changes to yellow.
- Bulbit
– inflammation of the duodenal bulb. Can be acute or chronic. The focal and diffuse nature of inflammation is also distinguished. Bulbit is a secondary disease; it is isolated very rarely on its own. Among the symptoms of bulbitis is the formation of a white or yellow coating on the tongue (depending on the type of pathology).
- For gastritis with low acidity
inflammation of the gastric mucosa occurs, against the background of which the acidity of gastric juice decreases, its quantity decreases, and the ability to digest food deteriorates. The disease is common among middle-aged and elderly people, as well as lovers of spicy, fatty foods and alcoholic beverages. Gastritis with low acidity is characterized by a white coating on the tongue. Depending on the stage of the disease, the shade may change to yellow and grayish-yellow.
- Hemorrhagic gastritis
– inflammation of the gastric mucosa, which is accompanied by the occurrence of hemorrhages and erosions. This is a dangerous, rapidly progressing disease that threatens with serious consequences, in particular internal bleeding. Hemorrhagic gastritis is characterized by the formation of a white coating on the tongue.
- Biliary dyskinesia
– a pathology in which the motility of the gallbladder is impaired and disruptions in the functioning of the bile ducts occur. As a result, stagnation or excessive secretion of bile occurs. With biliary dyskinesia, a white or yellowish coating forms on the tongue (depending on the stage of the disease).
- Chronic atrophic gastritis
– a type of gastritis, which is characterized by thinning of the gastric mucosa, a reduction in the number of glands and secretory insufficiency. It is considered the most dangerous, precancerous condition. With chronic atrophic gastritis, a white or grayish-white coating appears on the tongue, and tooth marks may appear on it.
- Chronic gastritis
– an inflammatory disease during which dystrophic changes in the gastric mucosa and disruption of its functions occur. Gastritis is distinguished with high, normal and low acidity of the stomach. According to experts, chronic gastritis affects more than 50% of the adult population. Chronic gastritis is characterized by the formation of a white, white-yellow or grayish-white coating on the tongue.
- Chronic duodenitis
– inflammatory disease of the duodenum with dystrophic damage to the epithelium, which has a polyetiological nature. The formation of erosions and atrophy of the intestinal glands is possible. It can be an independent pathology or accompany other gastrointestinal diseases. In chronic duodenitis, the tongue is covered with a white coating.
- Enteritis
– an inflammatory process of the mucous membrane of the small intestine of various etiologies, which is characterized by digestive and absorption disorders. In the chronic stage of the disease, mucosal atrophy may occur. Enteritis is characterized by coating of the tongue with the appearance of teeth marks along the edges.
- Pelvioperitonitis
– inflammatory disease of the pelvic peritoneum, accompanied by dystrophic changes, microcirculation disorders, increased vascular permeability, and the formation of adhesions. Occurs as a result of infectious processes. With pelvioperitonitis, the tongue becomes covered with a white or grayish coating.
- Angina
– an acute infectious inflammatory disease that affects the lymphoid tissue of the child’s tonsils. It usually occurs with an increase in temperature, enlargement of the cervical and submandibular lymph nodes, and the formation of purulent plaque on the tonsils. Sore throat in children can provoke the development of severe complications. With sore throat in children, the tongue is covered with a white coating.
- Thrush (candidiasis) in men
– a urogenital infection characterized by infection of the oral cavity and glans penis. It is of fungal origin and occurs as a result of the activity of Candida fungi. Sometimes the disease can occur without obvious symptoms. Thrush in men is characterized by the formation of a white, cheesy coating on the tongue and gums.
Types of damage to the mucous membrane
Gastritis can also be classified according to the degree of change in the gastric mucosa. The mildest form is superficial, when the inflammatory process affects only the upper part of the mucosa. More dangerous forms include the following:
Although hyperplastic gastritis is characterized by the appearance of neoplasms, they are predominantly benign.
The atrophic form often leads to stomach cancer. Each of these types can be focal or diffuse: the first covers a small area of the mucous membrane (although there may be several of them), the second spreads over its entire surface.
Types of gastritis by etiology
The mucous membrane of the stomach can become inflamed for various reasons. Gastroenterologists, according to this criterion, divide diseases into several groups:
There are also mixed types. Thus, AC inflammation means that reflux is caused by autoimmune factors. It happens that autoimmune effects are combined with Helicobacter pylori infection. Then we are talking about AB gastritis.
Causes of acute gastritis
This disease appears suddenly. In rare cases, the cause may be the bacteria Helicobacter pylori entering the body. But usually it does not make itself felt instantly, but is the causative agent of sluggish chronic gastritis.
It is usually not difficult for an adult to determine the cause. It is enough to analyze what he ate and drank several hours before the attack. Inflammation can be caused by:
Infections can also cause an attack. Among the most likely, gastroenterologists identify cytomegaloverus, syphilis, and staphylococcus infection. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to become infected. Another reason for the development of an acute inflammatory process is exposure to bile. This only applies to type C gastritis.
Causes of development of chronic gastritis
The second most important cause of chronic inflammation of the gastric mucosa (after the bacterium Helicobacter pylori) is poor nutrition. This includes not only harmful products. Violation of the eating schedule is also detrimental to the stomach. Inflammation can result from:
The influence of other diseases (endocrine, metabolic, infectious, hypoxic) cannot be excluded. External factors (harmful working conditions, stress) also become causes of gastritis.
General signs of gastritis
Regardless of the type (acute or chronic), it always manifests itself as pain in the epigastric region (only its nature differs). Pain appears after eating or, conversely, from hunger. Other symptoms from the digestive system are possible:
Symptoms in adults are more severe than in children. In children, attacks are often accompanied by weakness, fever, and bruises under the eyes. Parents may confuse the first signs of gastritis with poisoning.
Another noticeable symptom of many types of this disease is a white (less often yellow) coating on the tongue. It is not cleaned during normal hygiene procedures. In most cases, plaque indicates a decrease in acidity.
Gastritis or functional dyspepsia?
The term “gastritis” is usually used to refer to various inflammatory and degenerative changes in the gastric mucosa. But in fact, the disease itself is quite rare and can only be diagnosed using a biopsy during a gastroscopy procedure.
Often what is called gastritis is functional dyspepsia (a set of disorders of the digestive system). The term “gastritis” is also mistakenly used to mean gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Currently, the diagnosis of “gastritis” is usually made in the presence of morphological signs discovered after undergoing a series of medical examinations, in particular, after laboratory identification of the main causative agent of the disease - the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. Pilory), histological studies and FGDS.
How to treat the disease
Since there are many types of gastritis, and each of them has its own causes, you cannot limit yourself to one treatment method. To combat each provoking factor, appropriate drugs are needed.
The doctor must determine by characteristic signs whether the patient’s acidity is increased or decreased. Depending on this, a suitable treatment regimen is selected.
Treatment of gastritis is usually complex, it is carried out in the following areas:
If the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is detected, it is important to eradicate it (complete destruction) with antibiotics. This is necessary to eliminate ulcerations, accelerate their healing and prevent the development of peptic ulcers and stomach cancer.
Treatment of gastritis
Treatment includes relief of exacerbation and prevention of relapse; it can last from ten days to several months. The duration of treatment depends on the degree of damage to the gastric mucosa. The doctor prescribes medications individually for each patient. Ignoring the symptoms of gastritis is dangerous. If you do not see a doctor in time and start treatment, it can cause serious complications. In some cases, this leads to esophageal cancer, gastric bleeding, and ulcers.
Drugs for the treatment of gastritis
If Helicobacter is detected, patients are prescribed antibiotics and drugs to create unfavorable conditions for the life of bacteria; in case of increased acidity and gastropathy, inhibitors are prescribed.
Gastritis with low acidity
Depending on the secretory activity of the stomach, two forms of the disease are distinguished - with high acidity and with low acidity. The latter is characterized by the following symptoms: unpleasant taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, rumbling in the stomach, nausea. However, only a doctor can accurately determine the course of the disease based on tests.
Exacerbation of gastritis
In the chronic course of the disease, periods of remission alternate with periods of exacerbation. Therapy will differ at different times. If symptoms are severe, exacerbation is treated in a hospital. During an exacerbation, it is also important to follow the diet especially carefully. You need to eat only healthy foods and 4-6 times a day in small portions.
How is acidity level determined?
The main acid found in the stomach and determining its acidity level is hydrochloric acid. It is produced by parietal cells. The alkaline components of gastric juice neutralize hydrochloric acid. They are produced by accessory cells of the mucosa. The two substances interact and the acidity level changes throughout the day.
You can find out its level using intragastric pH-metry. To do this, a thin probe with a measuring electrode is placed into the patient's stomach. It gradually moves deeper and shows the pH in different areas of the organ.
In the part of the stomach where acid is produced, in an adult patient the pH should be from 1.6 to 2.0, and in the zone of alkali production and acid quenching - up to 5.2.
The doctor also pays attention to the symptoms. With high acidity, the patient suffers from heartburn, belching and a burning sensation in the throat; with low acidity, the patient suffers from bloating, flatulence and bad breath.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of tongue swelling are its increase in size and swelling. In difficult cases, the patient has difficulty breathing, and there is a sensation of a foreign object in the mouth. The mucous membrane becomes loose, with prominent papillae, and tooth marks become noticeable on the lateral surfaces. Blood vessels become clearly visible on the lower part of the tongue.
Swelling is accompanied by other symptoms:
- Change in taste sensations.
- Change in color of the mucous membrane.
- The appearance of heaviness when swallowing.
- Increased body temperature.
- Swelling of lips.
- Hyperemia of the mucous membrane.
- Paleness of the skin.
If the problem is not detected in a timely manner, the tongue continues to swell, does not fit in the oral cavity, and falls out. The help of a doctor cannot be neglected. If the tongue is swollen and this process persists for several days, it is dangerous to self-medicate or wait until the problem goes away on its own.
Treatment of acidity disorders
If there are signs of low acidity, replacement therapy with enzyme preparations is prescribed. Its main task is to normalize the production of pepsin. Preparations containing acedin-pepsin help with this. Drug stimulation of gastric juice secretion is also necessary.
If the diagnostic results reveal increased acidity, the patient is prescribed antacids. They neutralize acid, weaken the activity of pepsin, and in some cases have an enveloping effect. To eliminate symptoms, medications are recommended that stimulate gastrointestinal motility and relieve spasms of smooth muscles. Additionally, you can use folk remedies - herbs, flax seeds, potato juice.
Treatment
If, apart from a white coating on the tongue, no other symptoms appear, you should observe oral hygiene more carefully - regularly brush your teeth and tongue, rinse your mouth with water or a decoction of herbs after eating. It is also recommended to review your diet. With an abundance of sweet, spicy, and fatty foods, a white or yellowish coating often appears on the tongue.
If these measures do not bring the desired result and other symptoms are present, you should contact a specialist. If you experience discomfort in the oral cavity, you should visit a dentist. If dental diseases are excluded, you will have to go to an otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, or therapist to conduct a series of studies. A blood test will be required to identify inflammatory processes, pathologies of kidney, pancreas, and liver function. You may need urine and stool tests and ultrasound diagnostics if gastrointestinal pathologies are suspected.
After an examination and diagnosis, treatment is prescribed for diseases that cause the formation of plaque on the tongue. It is highly undesirable to self-treat with traditional methods or treat symptoms of diseases with medications without the participation of a doctor. This can lead to extremely negative health consequences.
Why are gastroprotectors needed?
To prevent complications such as peptic ulcers and malignant tumors, it is important to keep the structure of the mucous membrane intact. Gastroprotectors are used for these purposes:
They should be taken when signs of gastritis appear. The doctor will determine which medications will fit into the selected treatment package. For prevention purposes, you do not need to drink them.
The stomach contains natural gastroprotectors - prostaglandins. They stimulate the formation of mucus, improve microcirculation and protect cells from destruction. If they are not produced enough, the gastroenterologist may prescribe their synthetic analogues. If the patient is being treated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs with prostaglandins prevent ulcerative lesions of the mucous membrane.
Preventive measures
Since gastritis is now diagnosed not only in adults, but also in children, prevention should begin as early as possible. First of all, you should normalize your diet:
When the first symptoms of inflammation of the gastric mucosa appear, it is important to minimize (or better yet eliminate) the consumption of chocolate, coffee, spicy and fried foods.
Gastroenterologists recommend regularly checking for parasitic infestations. When they are detected, it is important to carry out timely treatment, because they often attack the digestive system.
Prevention
To prevent the formation of pathological plaque on the tongue, you should undergo regular medical examinations. It is also recommended to limit the consumption of fried, fatty, spicy foods, sweets, fast food, and alcoholic beverages. With frequent consumption of strong tea, coffee, and regular smoking, a gray or dark coating often appears on the tongue. To prevent this from happening, you need to give up cigarettes and reduce the amount of coffee and tea. When dehydrated, a brown coating may appear on the tongue. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a drinking regime.
It is also recommended to follow the general rules for maintaining the health of the body - spend time walking in the fresh air, avoid stress and overwork if possible, do not overdo diets, be attentive to sleep schedules, nutrition and the quality of food consumed
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