Glossalgia is a disease that consists of the appearance of pain and a burning sensation of the tongue in the absence of obvious causes and other clinical manifestations on the mucous membranes. Sometimes similar symptoms spread to the lips, palate or the entire oral mucosa. Middle-aged and elderly women are more often susceptible to this disease; in men it is several times less common.
Unlike other diseases, with glossalgia there are no organic causes of pain. Despite the fact that patients often note the development of pain after injuries, the latter can only act as a trigger factor. The disease should be distinguished from glossitis, an inflammatory disease in which, in addition to pain and burning, external changes in the mucous membranes are observed: redness, ulceration, pronounced plaque, etc.
Causes of glossalgia
Many patients with glossalgia associate the appearance of the symptom with trauma to the tongue from sharp edges of fillings or teeth with chipped enamel, as well as incorrectly installed crowns and dentures. More often, the disease appears after disorders of the autonomic nervous system. As the disease progresses, it becomes chronic.
This is a functional disorder that has no organic causes. Researchers associate its appearance with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Most often there is a combination of disorders of the nervous system, vascular lesions and diseases of the digestive system. A stimulating factor can be diseases that lead to a decrease in tissue sensitivity or change the response to mechanical stimuli.
Glossalgia can also develop against the background of the following diseases:
- ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke;
- encephalitis of any origin;
- neurosyphilis.
Aggravating factors may include hypovitaminosis, lack of iron, minerals, endocrine diseases, infections and autoimmune pathologies. The disease is also affected by taking certain medications - chemotherapy drugs, antihistamines, etc.
Research shows that the disease may be one of the signs of viscero-reflex bulbar syndrome, which affects the vagus and glossopharyngeal nerves. Disturbances in the transmission of nerve impulses cause glossalgia, as they lead to the appearance of false sensations. And external irritants can only intensify the symptom, which explains the high incidence of the disease in people with dentures and crowns.
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Coated tongue of smokers
According to statistics, 94% of smokers develop a coating on their tongue. Smoking is directly related to this problem, since the toxic substances contained in tobacco smoke disrupt the microflora of the oral cavity. Beneficial bacteria die and are replaced by fungi and bacteria that actively develop in a humid environment.
At the beginning, a white, dense coating appears, the consistency of thick sour cream. Over time, it darkens from the effects of nicotinic acid , which is part of the composition. To cure a person, the doctor takes swabs from the mouth and sends them for examination.
The type of bacteria or fungus is determined in the laboratory; after receiving the results, the doctor prescribes medications that act on this type of microorganism. It is quite difficult to get rid of this problem on your own, so for treatment it is necessary to identify the type of bacteria.
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In addition to light deposits, a dark, brown or even black shade can also form. Its appearance may be a symptom of more serious diseases associated with the functioning of internal organs, in particular the digestive or cardiovascular systems.
It is necessary to review your own diet , and also make meals more frequent to improve your metabolism. Many smokers have a decreased appetite due to receptor contamination, resulting in fewer meals. To restore the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, and therefore get rid of plaque, it is recommended to adhere to a healthy, proper diet, and try to minimize the intake of alcohol, sweet soda, coffee and coloring products.
In medical practice, problems with the appearance of sediment on the tongue are often associated with problems of the cardiovascular system caused by prolonged smoking. So if a person takes a drag from a cigarette, then a sharp spasm of blood vessels occurs in his body, and they begin to narrow. Severe narrowing leads to the collapse of the walls of the vessel, and it stops letting blood through.
If the vessel collapses at the tip of the tongue, the body will not be able to provide blood supply to this place and the cells will gradually begin to die. The process leads to the formation of an ulcer with clear boundaries. To avoid problems with the cardiovascular system, it is necessary to undergo an examination by a cardiologist as a preventative measure.
Modern medicine is able to cure this problem in the early stages without surgical intervention. The main thing is to consult a doctor in a timely manner.
Manifestations of glossalgia
With this disease, patients note a burning sensation, tingling, itching, and rawness in the tongue area. An unpleasant symptom may appear from time to time or bother you constantly. Some patients associate these symptoms with eating spicy foods.
Indirect symptoms include dry mouth and fatigue when speaking. It is worth noting that with overwork and nervous excitement, the symptoms become more pronounced. Sometimes the symptoms of glossalgia appear only in certain situations, for example, before an important event. During meals, manifestations of the disease may become less pronounced or even completely absent.
The feeling of burning and tingling most often spreads to the sides and tip of the tongue. They occur much less frequently on the back and root of the tongue. The pain is widespread, there is no obvious focus, and the location can change quickly. The symptom may disappear and appear in another area.
It is important to note that there are no visible changes in the mucous membrane of the tongue and oral cavity. Only some people suffering from this disease may experience swelling or plaque on the tongue, hypertrophy of the lingual papillae. Varicose veins of the tongue are typical for elderly patients.
Many people with glossalgia experience symptoms of depression. Sometimes there is excitability, increased anxiety, and suspiciousness. Many people suffer from fear of developing cancer and other serious diseases, and the disease is accompanied by sleep disturbances, pain in the chest area, etc.
How to get rid of plaque?
You can fight the coating on your tongue from smoking.
To do this, you need to monitor oral hygiene and brush your teeth, cheeks and tongue daily .
The following products can be used to clean the mouth :
- Toothbrush.
- Tea spoon.
- Gauze or bandage wrapped around a finger.
- A special scraper for removing plaque, which can be bought at a pharmacy.
- Special toothpaste for smokers.
Vegetable oil is also used to cleanse the tongue .
Preferably olive or flaxseed, since these types of oils not only help remove plaque, but also care for the oral mucosa.
They have antifungal and antibacterial properties, and also heal microtraumas.
Need to know! The procedure for cleansing the oral cavity with oil is carried out in the morning before breakfast.
To do this, you need to pour one tablespoon of oil into your mouth and dangle it there for at least ten minutes. After which the oil is spat out.
Possible complications
This disease does not threaten health, but significantly reduces the quality of life. If you ignore an unpleasant symptom, glossalgia can become chronic. Its symptoms will occur from time to time, exacerbating the unstable psycho-emotional state. Against the background of pain, anxiety, eating disorders, sleep disorders, nervousness, and phobias can develop. As the condition worsens, treatment should be carried out not only by the dentist, but also by other specialists - a neurologist, psychiatrist or psychotherapist.
A long-lasting symptom can cause forced dietary restrictions, which can affect the overall health and cause vitamin deficiencies, weight loss, and lack of minerals.
Possible complications include inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity. For example, a lack of saliva can lead to aphthous stomatitis, and when exposed to adverse factors or injuries, the likelihood of glossitis, gingivitis and other ailments increases.
What should be done to prevent plaque?
Prevention includes daily oral hygiene .
For preventive purposes, you can use mouthwashes with antibacterial properties .
Rinsing with a decoction of chamomile, sage and oak , as well as chewing propolis, are useful. These agents have a strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect.
Rinsing with soda solution also gives a good effect.
Diagnostic features
It is important to distinguish glossalgia from organic diseases of the tongue that develop as a result of injuries, neuralgia and neuritis. The doctor will also make sure that there are no bite defects. The main diagnostic criterion for glossalgia is the discrepancy between the sensations of the intensity of the impact. In addition, visible changes in the tongue and mucous membranes are almost completely absent.
In case of injuries, the pain has a clear localization and does not spread beyond the boundaries of the lesion. With neuralgia, sensations occur briefly in the area of innervation of the nerve. With neuritis, pain most often appears only on one side, and is also accompanied by sensory disturbances.
Is it possible to determine the cause of a burning sensation in the mouth based on symptoms?
The reasons why the oral cavity burns can only be determined by a doctor. Given the wide range of diseases and conditions in which such a symptom is possible, independent determination of the root cause often leads to false conclusions.
However, for some combinations of symptoms, the underlying cause can be determined with a high degree of probability. Let's consider several of these options:
- Severe burning sensation in the mouth – glossitis, stomatitis, anemia or menopause.
- Burning sensation and abundant white coating – candidiasis (thrush).
- Burning palate - viral or bacterial pathologies of the oral cavity, mental disorders, injuries or burns.
- Burning sensation with dry mouth – disruption of the salivary glands, diabetes mellitus, taking antibiotics or diuretics.
- Burning in the gums – gum pathology (gingivitis, periodontal disease).
- Burning tongue with a sour taste – gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, gastric ulcer).
Treatment methods
Treatment of glossalgia begins with sanitation of the oral cavity: the doctor will prescribe treatment for caries, replacement of incorrectly installed dentures, as well as replacement of fillings that have expired. Making new dentures allows you to create the correct bite height. Also, at the same time, it is necessary to visit other specialists of a narrow profile - a neurologist, endocrinologist, psychotherapist, etc.
The main treatment tactic is to influence the links of the pain symptom. So, the doctor may prescribe bromine, iron, tranquilizers, and sedatives. B vitamins and lingual nerve blocks may be recommended to help restore normal function.
If the mucous membranes are dry and there is insufficient salivation, the doctor will prescribe a vitamin A solution or another product to moisturize and stimulate saliva production.
Reflexology and physiotherapeutic methods can be used as an addition to the main course of treatment. If suspiciousness, increased anxiety, or depression are present, then working with a psychotherapist is indicated.
General recommendations include the following:
- A gentle diet - eating soft foods, avoiding sour, salty, fatty foods, spices and seasonings.
- Normalization of neurological status if necessary. As prescribed by a neurologist or psychiatrist, you can take antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, nootropics, and drugs to improve sleep.
- Psychotherapy according to indications. In some cases, good results can be achieved with the help of short-term or long-term psychotherapy.
It is important to be attentive to your psycho-emotional state. Relaxation methods, development of stress resistance, and breathing exercises may be recommended to bring the psychological state into balance.
Can smoking cause tongue cancer?
When smoking, the tongue is the first organ to take the blow in the form of hot tobacco smoke, which contains many toxic substances.
With such regular and frequent attacks, the oral cavity and tongue receive injuries in the form of burns .
As a result, small nodules appear , as well as other neoplasms, which over time have the ability to degenerate into cancer.
Primary and secondary signs
You should know! Cancer of the uvula is poorly diagnosed, since clear symptoms of the disease appear only in the later stages.
It is worth noting that this type of cancer develops quickly and causes many serious complications.
Symptoms of the initial stage of the disease are almost invisible.
The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that there are no obvious signs until the late stages of the disease begin .
Usually it all starts with the appearance of an ulcer , compaction or nodules on the tongue .
At the early stage of a malignant neoplasm, the boundaries of the nodules that appear on the tongue are clearly defined.
Later, as the disease progresses, the boundaries of such formations become more blurred, the tissue under the ulcer thickens , and its edges rise and resemble a roller in appearance.
Later, pain, swelling of the face, and difficulty opening the mouth and eating appear.
Classification of cancer of this organ by localization:
Uvula body cancer
This type of cancer is the most common .
Know! A malignant tumor affects the middle part and can often affect its lateral areas.
Tongue root cancer
If the root of this organ is affected when swallowing, severe pain is felt in its area .
This type of cancer is less common than its previous type.
The disease also has another name - oropharyngeal cancer , in which the tumor is located in the posterior parts of the oral cavity.
The pathology has an aggressive course and is difficult to treat.
Cancer of the lower part of the tongue
With this pathology, the tumor is located on the lower part of the uvula. In rare cases, it may be located under the tongue.
Note! Histological differentiation of cancer types:
- Adenocarcinoma;
- Squamous cell carcinoma.
There are three main types of tongue cancer tumors :
- Ulcerative. This form begins with a lump that appears on the tongue, which soon becomes an ulcer. The patient experiences pain and the ulcer bleeds.
- Infiltrative. The new growth that appears is hard to the touch. Its surface is covered with whitish spots. The patient experiences severe pain in this area.
- Papillary. The neoplasm is hard, has dense plaques and protrudes above the surrounding healthy tissue.
