The tongue is a powerful muscle involved in the critical functions like speaking, chewing and swallowing. Taste buds cover the upper surface of the tongue. However, a variety of diseases and disorders can affect the tongue including infections, injuries, chronic irritation, abnormal tissue growth and congenital conditions.
Tongue diseases can be congenital or acquired, and are varied in number. Glossitis is a general term for tongue inflammation, which can be caused by various etiologies, e.g. infection.
Among the several diseases common to the tongue, many affect the tongue as well as the lips, mouth, throat and pallet. Many tongue disorders are short-lived; others may cause long-term difficulties, requiring ongoing medical management
Considered according to a surgical sieve, some example conditions which can involve the tongue are discussed below.
Symptoms associated with these diseases are generally mild and may include
•Swelling.
•Redness
•Discoloration
•Taste problems
•Tenderness sores
•Abnormal movement or difficulty moving the tongue
•Likewise, treatment for common tongue diseases is mild and usually incorporates a change in diet or lifestyle.
Common Tongue Diseases: How to Identify tongue infection
Geographic Tongue
Geographic tongue, also known as benign migratory glossitis, is characterised by a map-like pattern of red spots on the tongue. Usually, this occurs on the top and sides of the tongue, although it may spread to other portions of the mouth. Geographic tongue is harmless and commonly exists without symptoms beyond basic discoloration. Tenderness or soreness may occur but can be alleviated through topical medication. It is not an infectious disease so cannot be transmitted to another individual.
•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.
Macroglossia
Macroglossia describes abnormal tongue enlargement. This condition can cause misalignment of the teeth and speech difficulties. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that macroglossia often occurs with certain congenital or inherited conditions, including Down syndrome, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, acromegaly, congenital hypothyroidism and primary amyloidosis. Macroglossia can also occur due to tongue swelling or abnormal tissue growth caused by a variety of disorders including multiple myeloma, sarcoidosis, tongue tumors and certain infections.
Black Hairy Tongue
This is a disease caused by excessive growth of the follicles on the tongue, known as papillae. Papillae continue to grow throughout an individual’s lifetime. Usually, papillae are worn down over time by daily activity such as eating and brushing. If not worn down, they can grow to atypical lengths. Bacteria can then grow on the papillae, resulting in a blackened or darkened appearance. This usually occurs in individuals with poor dental hygiene.
Burning Mouth Syndrome
Burning mouth syndrome causes loss of taste, burning sensations and the feeling of swelling on the tongue. It is a relatively harmless disease that is not infectious or transferable to another individual. It commonly affects peri-menopausal or post-menopausal women, although 10 to 20 percent of cases are found in men. The exact cause of burning mouth syndrome is unknown, although it is commonly associated with other medical conditions like nutritional deficiency.
HSV-1
HSV-1, or herpes simplex virus 1, is a viral infection that sometimes causes sores on the tongue. Sores are generally red and swollen but may have a white or greenish cap. There is no cure for HSV-1, but symptoms like pain and tenderness usually pass with time or antiviral medication. HSV-1 is easily transferable, even through saliva shared by casual kissing. It is hereditary and commonly runs in families.
Glossitis
Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue, which may be transient or chronic. The tongue may swell, and the surface characteristically appears smooth and red or abnormally pale. Tenderness and burning commonly occur, which may interfere with speaking, chewing and swallowing. Taste disturbances often accompany glossitis. Transient episodes of glossitis may occur due to burning the tongue with hot foods or liquids, oral herpes, thrush and allergic reactions to mouthwash, toothpaste or the plastics in dental appliances such as retainers or dentures.
The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that persistent glossitis can occur with vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiencies, iron deficiency anemia, syphilis, oral lichen planus and aphthous ulcers.
• Tongue Cancer
Tongue cancer is a form of head and neck cancer. Cancers of the forward two-thirds of the tongue are oral tongue cancers. Those at the back of the tongue are tongue base cancers. Tongue cancers usually present as a lump or a nonhealing ulcer. The American Cancer Society reports that nearly 11,000 cases of tongue cancer occur annually in the United States, with squamous cell carcinoma as the most common form of the disease. Smoking, use of chewing tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption increase the risk for the development of tongue cancer.
Warning
These tongue diseases are mostly harmless and do not require extensive treatment. However, even mild symptoms can be aggravated by certain foods and substances. If you have geographic tongue, avoid eating spicy or acidic foods. Use a corticosteroid rinse and swish out your mouth 2 to 3 times a day. Avoid excessively salty or citrusy foods if you have HSV-1.