What does your tongue say about your health?

Bumps, patches and nodules in the mouth can be harmless but sometimes they can be symptoms of a problem health condition like infection, stress and medication problems and even aging chemical. So what does your tongue say about your health? When is the tongue healthy and when is the tongue having health problems?

1. White patch

Creamy white spots could be thrush, a fungal infection. It usually occurs after an illness or medication that upsets the balance of bacteria in the mouth. White patches that look like threads could be lichen, which means your immune system is attacking the tissues in your mouth. If you see hard, flat and white areas that cannot be shaved off, it could be leukoplakia, which is related to cancer.

2. “Hair” on the tongue

If you have a coating on your tongue that looks like black, brown or white hairs, you may have tongue hair. Those hairs are proteins that turn normal small bumps into longer ones, food fibers and captured bacteria. It should go away when you brush or scrape your tongue. If you have white, hairy patches that can't be shaved off, it could be hairy mouth leukoplakia. It can happen to people with viral infections such as epstein-barr or HIV.

3. Black tongue

A hairy tongue may appear black, but your tongue may also darken after using an antacid that contains an ingredient called bismuth. For some people, it turns the tongue black when mixed with saliva. It is harmless and goes away once you stop using the medicine.

Lưỡi người bệnh có lông đen sẽ biến mất sau khi sử dụng thuốc điều trị

4. Bright red tongue

A strawberry-red tongue could be an early sign of Kawasaki disease, a rare, serious disease that inflames blood vessels throughout the body, most commonly seen in children. This is also one of the symptoms of scarlet fever. If your red tongue is also smooth and accompanied by pain in the mouth, it could be a sign that your body is not getting enough vitamin B3.

5. Burning sensation

If your tongue feels like it has been burned by hot coffee and has a metallic or bitter taste, you may have burning mouth syndrome. It may be a problem with the nerves in the tongue. Certain health problems such as dry mouth, infections, acid reflux and diabetes can also cause them. For some people, acidic foods like pineapples, as well as toothpaste, mouthwash, and gum, cause them to burn their mouths.

6. Smooth blade

Tongue without any small bump on the tip may have a glossy red color. You can get this disease if you don't get enough nutrients like iron, folic acid or B vitamins. Infections, celiac disease, or certain medications can also cause it. If you have smooth patches next to bumpy areas, it could be a geographic tongue. These nodules can come and go and are sometimes painful or burning. It's harmless, but can be related to psoriasis or edema.

7. Bumps

Under the tongue is a common site of scaly sores, small, painful, red bumps that go away on their own. A single painful bump at the tip of your tongue can be a temporary papilloma, a bump that can pop out if your tongue is irritated. The virus can also cause many small bumps on the head and sides. If you have a lump on or under your tongue that is painful and doesn't go away, let your doctor or dentist know. They will check you for oral cancer.

8. Sore tongue

The tongue has a lot of nerve endings, so it can really hurt if you bite or injure it. Sores, flat lichen, thrush, and geographic tongue can be painful. Certain medications and infections can also make the tongue sore. Sometimes pain in the tongue can be a sign of cancer, especially if you also have a lump or red or white patches.

9. Macroglossia

That's when your tongue is too big for the rest of your mouth. It can take up so much room that your doctor can find traces of your teeth on its face. Your doctor will try to find and treat the underlying condition, be it hypothyroidism, infection, or allergies, among others.

10. Cracked blade

Deep grooves can appear on a healthy tongue image as you age. They have also been linked to Down syndrome, psoriasis, and Sjogren's syndrome. They are harmless, but you should brush your tongue gently to remove food and bacteria. Grooves may get better if treated by a doctor.

11. Signs of oral cancer

Many spots, bumps and colors can appear on the normal human tongue and may be harmless. But it's good that you know the signs that could indicate cancer such as sores that won't heal, lumps, sore tongue, and difficulty chewing or swallowing. If these symptoms persist for more than 2 weeks, seek medical attention.
In summary, bumps, patches and nodules in a person's tongue may be harmless, but sometimes they can be symptoms of an underlying health condition such as infection, stress and medication problems and even aging can create marks on the tongue. Therefore, when abnormalities appear on the tongue, you need to go to a medical facility for examination and diagnosis as well as appropriate interventions.

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Bài viết này được viết cho người đọc tại Sài Gòn, Hà Nội, Hồ Chí Minh, Phú Quốc, Nha Trang, Hạ Long, Hải Phòng, Đà Nẵng.