What Does Your Tongue Reveal About Your Health? - 9 Signs to Watch Out For

Symptoms of Diseases on the Tongue - 9 Signs to Be Aware Of 

Examining Your Tongue in a Mirror

What does your tongue reveal about your health? You can learn if you have certain diseases through symptoms that appear on your tongue. Al-Konsulto reviews the symptoms of diseases on the tongue in the following report, according to the Times of India.

What are the signs of disease on the tongue?

1- Redness of the Tongue: If you find your tongue is very red, this is evidence that your body is suffering from a deficiency in folic acid or vitamin B12. In a clinical study published in the journal BMC Oral Health, researchers found that a vitamin B12 deficiency increases the risk of developing atrophic glossitis.

2- Tongue Bumps: If small bumps appear on the surface of your tongue, this means that you are suffering from stress, lack of sleep, or one of the following diseases:

- Mouth ulcers. - Allergies. - Tumors associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

3. Smooth Tongue: If you notice that the surface of your tongue has become abnormally smooth, this is a sign of lingual papilla atrophy, especially if you are also experiencing: dry mouth, bloating, abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea.

A study published in PubMed Central revealed that lingual papilla atrophy is more common among patients with Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease that reduces saliva and tear production.

4. White Tongue: If you have a thick, white coating—resembling cottage cheese—on the surface of your tongue, this is a warning sign of oral candidiasis. Oral candidiasis is a fungal infection, and the risk of developing it is higher among people with diabetes, weakened immune systems, and those suffering from chronic dry mouth.

White patches on the tongue can also indicate leukoplakia, a condition common among tobacco users, whether through smoking or chewing. While leukoplakia is usually not a cause for concern, it can sometimes develop into cancer.

5. Black Tongue: If your tongue turns black, this indicates a buildup of dead skin cells on its surface due to the papillae not shedding naturally.

6. Tongue Pain: If you experience persistent, severe pain in your tongue without eating spicy foods, the cause could be: - Stress mouth ulcers. - Diabetes. - Dry mouth.

7. Cracked Tongue: If your tongue has long cracks on its surface, there are several possibilities: - Suffering from an autoimmune disease. - A vitamin deficiency. - Chronic dehydration.

8. Burning Tongue: If you experience a persistent burning sensation on your tongue, this could indicate burning mouth syndrome, which can result from dry mouth, nutritional deficiencies, nerve problems, allergies, acid reflux, or oral candidiasis.

9. Enlarged Tongue: If your tongue suddenly increases in size beyond its normal size, this could be a sign of a hormonal imbalance or a thyroid problem.