The tongue
is a generally under-appreciated body part. Despite the fact it enables us to
taste, talk and whistle, we generally don’t give it a second thought.
In fact, you
may not even be aware that – in addition to its everyday functions – the tongue
can also be an indicator of the condition of your overall health. In this
article, we will share important information regarding the ways in which your
tongue can provide valuable information about a wide range of health threats.
Read on to learn more.
How To
Examine Your Tongue
When
checking your tongue for signs of health problems, there are two qualities you
should check carefully. They are:
Colour: Your
tongue should be a nice, healthy reddish-pink colour because it should be
getting good blood circulation. Your tongue’s colour is a good indication of the
health of your circulatory system, It can tell
you how well your blood is circulating and even whether or not your blood is
carrying enough oxygen throughout your body.
Coating: The
colour and texture of your tongue’s coating can give you valuable clues
regarding the workings of your digestive system.
Decoding
Your Tongue’s Clues
You should
look at your tongue every day to keep on top of your general health condition.
Here are some of the things you may to see when you examine your tongue.
Patches of
White
If your
tongue has white patches or a white coating, it could mean a couple of things.
You may have Candida overgrowth, or you may just need to brush your tongue
every day. In extreme
cases, a white coating on the tongue could be indicative of cancer. Before you
become over-excited by this prospect, there are a few things you should try.
Brush your
tongue every time you brush your teeth.
Try adding
fermented foods, such as yogurt with active cultures, kimchi and sauerkraut to
your diet. If brushing
and adding probiotics to your diet do not help your problem, see your doctor. More likely
than not, improving your oral hygiene and balancing your intestinal fauna will
resolve white patches and/or white coating on the tongue. Be sure to
continue this regimen because candida is a very persistent form of yeast. It
will come right back if you let it. If the white
patches on your tongue increase in size, it could be a sign that you have
Leukoplakia, which is not dangerous on its own but can be a harbinger of
cancerous conditions to come.
Webby/Stripy
Appearance
If the
surface of your tongue looks webbed or striped, it could be caused by a disease
known as Oral Lichen Planus. This is an
inflammatory, chronic autoimmune disease. If your condition is not painful,
your doctor may not recommend treatment; however, this is not wise. It is
important to take good care of your immune system since your general health
relies on its proper functioning. One simple
way to boost the immune system is by adding turmeric to your diet. This tasty,
golden spice has been hailed as a cure-all in many cultures for many hundreds
of years. It has powerful anti-inflammatory abilities, and it acts as a natural
antibiotic. Clinical
studies have shown turmeric to be effective in treating Oral Lichen Planus, but
even if you do not have this condition it is an excellent, immune-boosting
addition to any diet. Experiment
with adding turmeric to your favourite recipes. It is especially good in eggs,
rice and chicken dishes; however, its mild flavour can help make just about any
dish better. It is best
absorbed when it is consumed with a healthful type of oil, so remember to add a
bit of coconut oil to any dish that includes turmeric.
Indentations
and/or Ridges
Most tongues
have some natural ridges that are configured somewhat like the veins in a leaf.
There may be one ridge or groove running down the centre of the tongue with
others branching out to the sides. Generally,
this is no cause for concern; however, if the ridges are prominent or the
grooves are deep, be sure to brush well. Keeping your tongue clean helps
stimulate blood circulation and prevents bad breath.
Inflammation
Your tongue
should be a rosy, reddish-pink colour; however, if it is red and inflamed it may
be an indication of an infection. For example,
if you have strep throat or scarlet fever your tongue may become bright red and
inflamed. If your tongue is inflamed and sore, you should see your doctor right
away.
If your
tongue just looks a bit reddish and does not hurt, it may be an indication that
you are suffering a vitamin deficiency. Be sure you are taking a high quality
multi-vitamin daily. Pay close attention to levels of:
Vitamin B12
Folic Acid
Iron
A deficiency
in any of these vitamins can cause redness of the tongue.
Tongue Bumps
There are a
number of benign reasons why your tongue might be bumpy. You may have bitten
your tongue, or you might have a cold sore or ulcer on the tongue. These are
usually not a cause for concern. If an ulcer
on your tongue or in your mouth fails to heal in a reasonable period of time,
you should see your doctor. Likewise if
bumps on the tongue are very painful, you should seek professional assistance.
Lingering, painful sores on the tongue can indicate oral cancer.
Hairy Black
Coating
You may not
realize this, but your tongue actually does have tiny hairs known as papillae.
These grow all the time, and they can get a bit long. When this happens,
bacteria can multiply and cause your tongue to look black. This state
of affairs can be caused by a fungal infection, use of antibiotics or poor oral
hygiene. If left untreated, it can cause bad breath and is quite off-putting in
appearance. Even so,
having a hairy black tongue does not usually indicate a serious condition. You
can probably eliminate the problem with regular brushing.
Spotty
Tongue
It is not
unusual to see spotty patches of red and white on the tongue. These can cause a
map-like appearance, and the term for this condition is “geographic tongue”! Luckily,
this condition is harmless and you don’t need to do anything about it. Spots on the
tongue that look like cottage cheese are symptomatic of oral thrush. This can
be caused by a weak immune system. Good oral
hygiene and careful attention to your diet should clear this problem up within
a couple of weeks. If not, see your doctor.
Enlarged
Tongue
Macroglossi
(enlarged tongue) has a number of causes. It can be a symptom of a genetic
disorder or of hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid gland) This is
especially true in children. If you notice that your child’s tongue seems to be
larger than it should be, bring this to the attention of your paediatrician.
Pay Close
Attention To The Condition Of Your Tongue
Have a look
at your tongue every day when you brush your teeth. Become familiar with its
normal appearance so that you will notice if something goes wrong.
If you something seems to be amiss, monitor it yourself and
follow the tips presented here. If you are unable to resolve the problem within
a week or two, see your physician for proper diagnosis.