Diseases & Disorders of the Tongue

The tongue is a powerful muscle involved in the critical functions of speaking, chewing and swallowing. Taste buds cover the upper surface of the tongue. A variety of diseases and disorders can affect the tongue including infections, injuries, chronic irritation, abnormal tissue growth and congenital conditions. Many tongue disorders are short-lived; others may cause long-term difficulties, requiring ongoing medical management.

Leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a painless grey or white patch on the tongue that develops in response to chronic irritation. These patches can also develop on the inner cheek regions of the mouth. Cigarette or pipe smoking and use of chewing tobacco increase the risk for development of leukoplakia. Irritation caused by poorly fitting dentures or rough spots on the teeth can also lead to leukoplakia. The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center reports that approximately one-quarter of leukoplakia patches are cancerous or precancerous. A variant of this disorder known as hairy leukoplakia is caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, and mostly commonly occurs in people with a weakened immune system

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Causes of Tongue Discoloration

Is a resource for those of us who suffer from tongue discolorations. It has references for possible causes as well as natural and homeopathic remedies to cure orange tongue as well as other oral issues. The tongue is a group of strong muscles which are important part for chewing and the breakdown of food. The muscles are surrounded by a mucous membrane that contains small bumps called papillae. Normally, the tongue and the papillae are pinkish red in color. Color changes of the tongue can occur as a result of a number of conditions that cause changes in the structure or the papillae.''

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White Bumps Around the Tongue

The tongue is covered with a mucus membrane and mainly is composed of muscles. The tongue naturally is covered with small white bumps called papillae. The tongue serves the purpose of moving food around your mouth as you eat and helps you form words appropriately. Taste buds are situated between the papillae. Changes in the appearance of the tongue may be due to a number of conditions.''

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Raised and Tender Bumps on the Tongue

ome raised and tender bumps on the tongue are relatively minor and require no medical intervention, other than helping to relieve the associated pain. Yet there are conditions that trigger these bumps that require medical treatments, making it important to consult with a doctor when the lesions don't go away after a week or two.''

Canker Sores

These are some of the more common raised and tender bumps on the tongue. They're characterized by the Mayo Clinic as small, shallow lesions that can result from factors including food allergies, tongue injuries, vitamin deficiencies and an underlying medical condition. When they develop, these sores usually resolve themselves in a week or two. However, you can treat the lesions with corticosteroids, nutritional supplements and heartburn medications. Topical pastes of debacterol, benzocaine, amlexanox and fluocinonide can also speed recovery.''

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Tongue Symptoms of Vitamin Deficiencies

Saliva : The muscular tongue functions in chewing, tasting and swallowing. Because of its nearly continuous use throughout the day, abnormalities become obvious very quickly, making the tongue a helpful marker of disease. If your tongue shows signs or symptoms of a vitamin deficiency, testing will most often reveal one of the B vitamins as the culprit, explains MedlinePlus. Less commonly, levels of other vitamins that are low also cause changes of your oral cavity, including the tongue.

Glossitis: Loss of the tiny, fingerlike projection on the tongue  the papillae -- develops after an ongoing deficiency of any of several members of the B vitamin family, explains "American Family Physician," in its March 2010 issue. Folate, vitamin B12 and niacin can all claim responsibility for the abnormally smoothed tongue called "atrophic glossitis," depending on your clinical situation. If you are vegan or have certain digestive system illnesses such as Crohn's disease, you risk a vitamin B12 deficit. Alcoholics lack niacin, another B vitamin that leads to glossitis. A dark red discoloration of the tongue accompanies B vitamin induced glossitis. Replacing the missing vitamin allows rapid regrowth of the papillae.

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Symptoms of a Cracked Tongue

Discover a Natural, Inexpensive Geographic Tongue Treatment and Transform your Painful Geographical Tongue Back Into a Healthy Tongue in as Little as One Month.

"Natural Geographic Tongue Treatment - Geographical Tongue Pictures" Geographic tongue is a condition of the tongue affecting approximately 3% of the population. It is characterized by painful, discolored regions of taste buds. The condition is usually chronic, but only manifests after eating specific exacerbating foods.

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Causes and Treatments for an Itchy Throat, Stop Allergy

Stop Allergy

Saliva :  We all get a tickle in our throat from time to time and generally this is considered a minor irritation that will pass. Usually we associate it with an infection such as a cold or consider a cough part and parcel of being generally ill. However if an itchy throat persists it can become quite distressing, causing us to lose sleep, hurt our throats through excessive coughing and lose concentration. Getting to the cause of an itchy throat then is important to enable you to treat it and thereby get some respite from the itch. The inside walls of the throat are coated with a mucosal membrane which contains nerves that can be irritated by air, food, virus or allergies. The purpose of this mucus however is to lubricate the throat and to allow air and food to pass easily through. When this mucus dries out due to infection, dehydration or another cause then this will leave the sensitive flesh underneath exposed and susceptible to irritation. Alternatively if the mucus membranes begin producing too much fluid this can cause the throat to become ‘clogged’ which again will tickle the throat and require constant ‘clearing’. A common cause of an itchy throat then is dehydration which causes the throat to become dry and hoarse as the body can no longer produce mucus. The obvious solution to this dehydration is to drink water. However if your dehydration persists or you seem unable to quench your thirst then this could be a result of another condition, for example it might be a result of diarrhea which can leave the body dehydrated due to the expulsion of liquid. Alternatively it might be a sign of diabetes, where constant thirst is one of the symptoms (caused by frequent urination intended to expel the additional glucose in the blood). Other viruses can cause a tickling in the throat due to constant coughing, while there are a wide range of those that will leave you constantly dehydrated.''

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Symptoms of Dry Mouth Include

We all need saliva to moisten and cleanse our mouths and digest food. Saliva also prevents infection by controlling bacteria and fungi in the mouth. When we don't produce enough saliva, our mouth gets dry and uncomfortable. Fortunately, there are many effective treatments for dry mouth. Dry mouth is the feeling that there is not enough saliva in your mouth. Everyone has a dry mouth once in a while - if they are nervous, upset or under stress. But if you have a dry mouth all or most of the time, it can be uncomfortable and can lead to serious health problems.''

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The Facts About Swallowing Difficulties

Difficulty with swallowing is the sensation that food is stuck in the throat, or from the neck down to just above the abdomen behind the breastbone (sternum).
Considerations, Swallowing is a complex act that involves the mouth, throat area, and esophagus (the muscular tube that moves food to the stomach). Many nerves and muscles control how these body parts work. Part of the act of swallowing is under voluntary control, which means you are aware of controlling the action. However, much of swallowing is involuntary.''

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How do You Get Tonsil Stones (Cryptolysis)

Tonsil stones also known as tonsillolith are small white calcareous clusters that accumulate in the crypts of your tonsils. Tonsil stones can commonly be identified by the volatile sulfuric gasses that the bacteria in these whitish yellow particles produce. Individuals commonly discover tonsil stones when they experience discomfort in the back of their throat and unexpectedly cough up what appears to be a squishy white mass. Most people readily identify tonsil stones by the smell and up until the last 2 -3 years have been unable to identify what they are.''-

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Mouth Care Basics for Type 2 Diabetes Dr. Barker, ND

These tips on good oral hygiene can help you avoid type 2 diabetes-related problems like gum disease and tooth decay. ype 2 diabetes is a dangerous disease because, if uncontrolled, it can lead to complications throughout the body, from the heart to the kidneys to the eyes. Diabetes can even affect the mouth, causing gum disease and tooth decay.''

Diabetes and Oral Hygiene: A Double Whammy

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About The Salivary Glands

Salivary glands produce saliva, which is not only are responsible for moistening the food we eat and allowing us to swallow itbut also aids in the digestion process. Saliva contains enzymes that begin to break down food before it reaches the stomach. Salivary glands produce saliva the lubricating fluid found in the mouth and throat. Saliva contains enzymes that begin the process of digesting food. It also contains antibodies and other substances that help prevent infections of the mouth and throat.

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Videos Salivary Gland Stones

Salivary Gland Stone Causes and Symptoms.
Salivary stones form when chemicals in the saliva deposit. They mostly contain calcium. The exact cause is not known. But factors contributing to decreased saliva production and/or thickened saliva may be risk factors for salivary stones. These factors include: dehydration, poor eating, and use of certain

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