How is tongue a window into your overall health?

Ever wondered why doctors check your tongue first when you tell them about your symptoms? The reason behind this is that our tongue is a good indicator of many systemic diseases in our body. Our tongue and mouth tissues are more transparent than your skin- so medical providers can more easily see signs of a medical condition beneath the surface.

The tongue can be a harbinger for the entire well-being of your body. In this blog, SMBT covers some of the most common tongue conditions doctors look for in a patient that can signal a larger health issue.

• Dry tongue

Usually, a dry tongue and mouth stem from basic dehydration that people can easily cure with fluid intake. It can also indicate a condition called xerostomia, in which the mouth’s salivary glands do not produce enough saliva.

• Burning tongue

Some people may experience a burning sensation on the surface of their tongues which is often accompanied by a metallic, bitter taste or a loss of taste as well as red patches on the tongue’s surface. These uncomfortable symptoms may trace back to a condition called geographic tongue, an inflammatory disorder that is linked with emotional stress, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal imbalances. A burning tongue can also be an indication of burning mouth syndrome, where people experience a chronic sensation on their tongue.

• Limited tongue motion

In addition to examining the tongue’s experience, dentists and doctors also consider the

tongue’s motion range. If a person has trouble swallowing or moving their tongue, they could have an infected salivary gland or a blocked salivary duct.

• Enlarged tongue

In some people, an enlarged tongue can be a result of obesity. Studies show that an increase in body mass index is linked with a greater proportion of fat on the tongue. An enlarged tongue size can also be linked to sleep apnea, a condition where people have lapses in breathing while sleeping.

• Tongue tremors

If a person’s speech changes or they face difficulty in swallowing, it could be a neurological condition. If the doctor notices that the tongue is shrinking or paralyzed, it could possibly be Lou Gehrig’s disease, or ALS, a condition causing the death of neurons that controls a person’s voluntary muscles.

• Bright red tongue

It indicates basic nutritional deficiencies, most commonly, folic acid, and vitamin B-12, which can distort the tongue’s color.

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