9 tongue diseases - VnExpress Health

Discoloration, pain, swelling, sores, and changes in taste when eating can be warning signs of tongue conditions such as thrush, cracked tongue, or leukoplakia.

Oral thrush

Oral thrush is a fungal infection of the mouth, commonly occurring in young children and adults with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV.

Oral thrush causes white lesions on the tongue, cheeks, gums, tonsils, or roof of the mouth. Symptoms include loss of taste; redness and soreness inside and on the corners of the mouth; and difficulty swallowing. Oral thrush is usually treated with antifungal medication.

Rhomboid middle glossitis

This is a specific form of Candida infection, characterized by a red, atrophic plaque along the midline of the tongue, where the anterior two-thirds and posterior one-third of the tongue meet. The condition typically presents as a smooth, red, flat or raised nodule 2-3 cm in size; it commonly occurs in men aged 30-50, sometimes with few or no symptoms.

Changes in taste can be a warning sign of tongue problems. Photo: Freepik

Cracked tongue

A cracked tongue creates small grooves on its surface. The cracks can be deep or shallow, multiple or just one. The condition is more common in older people, and men are affected more often than women. A cracked tongue is not contagious and is not dangerous.

Atrophic glossitis

Atrophic glossitis can occur due to injury, allergic reactions, illness, anemia, and malnutrition. Deficiencies in vitamins and minerals such as iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamin B12 can also lead to this condition. Symptoms include swelling, burning or itching of the tongue, discoloration of the tongue, and difficulty swallowing.

Map blade

Geographic tongue is a benign inflammatory condition of the mouth characterized by epithelial loss, particularly of the papillae on the dorsal surface of the tongue. Geographic tongue is also called benign migratory glossitis because the lesions move around. Sometimes, the lesions appear on the cheeks, under the tongue, on the gums, or on the roof of the mouth.

Feathered tongue

The condition is characterized by an abnormal layer of fine hairs covering the surface of the tongue, with peeling of the tongue's underlying tissue. This occurs due to a lack of stimulation to the tip of the tongue.

The appearance of a hairy tongue varies depending on the cause. The tongue may be green, white, brown, or pink. If there is yeast or bacteria, the tongue will be black. A hairy tongue causes the patient to experience unusual tastes, burning sensations, and difficulty swallowing.

Leukoplakia

This condition is characterized by white spots or patches appearing on and under the tongue, and inside the cheeks. It is often caused by heavy smoking and alcohol use.

Leukoplakia can be a sign that tongue cancer is developing. Identifying cancer depends on the abnormal cells as well as the shape and size of the white patches; the most common method is a biopsy.

Burning tongue

This condition involves a burning sensation in the roof of the mouth and tongue, often with sudden pain that then subsides. The main symptom of tongue burns is a dry mouth.

People with diabetes, vitamin B12, B9, or iron deficiencies, or oral thrush infections often experience burning sensations in their tongues.

Tongue hypertrophy

Tongue hypertrophy, also known as megatongue, is a condition where the tongue is abnormally enlarged. Symptoms include slurred speech, difficulty eating and swallowing, snoring, mouth ulcers, and abnormal development of teeth and jaw.

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, congenital hypothyroidism, and Down syndrome can all lead to macroglossia (large tongue). Treatments such as surgery and speech therapy can help improve speech, chewing, and appearance.

Mai Cat (According to Very Well Health )

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