At home, you can independently conduct a quick diagnosis of health. All that is needed is to examine the language with a mirror. A lot will be told about the work of internal organs by a change in its color and shape. It is not worth neglecting this simple method. With its help, the development of dangerous pathologies can be prevented in time. A rough language indicates some of them.
Language is an indicator of health
It is recommended to examine the tongue in the morning, on an empty stomach. A healthy person has a pale pink color, and taste buds are easily distinguishable. Normally, it has a slight whitish coating that can be easily removed with a toothbrush or a special scraper. The complete absence of such a cover should be no less alarming than its excessive amount.
Any changes that occur in the oral cavity should attract the attention of a person. They may indicate the formation of pathological processes in the body. A decrease in the amount or complete cessation of saliva production leads to the development of severe dry mouth. A rough tongue will instantly signal this to a person, as due to a lack of moisture on its surface, difficulties will arise when swallowing and chewing food.
Dry tongue can occur with severe nervous agitation, stress. From the point of view of physiology, this is a normal situation. As soon as a person calms down, the production of saliva normalizes. In the event that there was no emotional upheaval, and dryness is observed for a long time, you should look for other causes of a rough tongue. An experienced doctor will help in this situation.
The causes of dry tongue may be as follows:
- dehydration and intoxication;
- pathology of the heart;
- tongue burn;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- glossitis;
- chronic tonsillitis;
- liver pathology;
- food stagnation;
- blood diseases;
- HIV
- kidney problems
- prolonged use of antibiotics;
- inflammation of the salivary glands, as well as their malignant and benign tumors;
- diabetes;
- infectious lesions.
Despite the impressive list of pathologies that cause roughness and dryness of the tongue, it is most often diagnosed with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pulmonary system, and infection. Only a doctor can make a correct diagnosis after a thorough diagnosis. He will prescribe a treatment that will help defeat the underlying disease. After this, a rough tongue will surely bounce back.
Digestive tract
Reflexes that can affect the motor and secretory function of the stomach and intestines produce tongue receptors. The opposite effect also takes place. That is, internal organs affect the appearance of pathological reflexes on the surface of the tongue. For example, its rough root and white plaque will tell the doctor that the patient suffers from gastritis with low acidity. The clinical picture can be supplemented by pain and burning sensations in the esophagus, heartburn.
A rough tongue covered with a gray coating may indicate the development of an intestinal ulcer. An additional factor indicating this pathology is heartburn and a burning sensation in the mouth.
Colitis, in addition to roughness, is characterized by an increase in the size of the tongue, even fingerprints may remain along its edges. With duodenitis and biliary dyskinesia, plaque thickness increases significantly. A slight roughness of the tongue rarely causes discomfort. But a dense coating can negatively affect the taste, reducing the sensitivity of the papillae.
Pulmonary system diseases
White rough tongue occurs in patients at an early stage of the development of diseases of this organ. The inflammation in the bronchi is indicated by a thick and dry coating located at its tip. If it begins to thicken and acquire a yellow tint - this will tell the doctor that the pathology is progressing. Additionally, the patient will have other symptoms. For example, weakness, foul odor, and dry mouth.
Characteristic changes in the condition of the tongue are observed with such a pathology as scarlet fever. First, an extensive yellow or gray-white coating forms. Daily it thickens. Under the coating, mushroom-shaped papillae are clearly visible. They differ in rich red color and are surrounded by a white border. After a week, the plaque disappears, and the tongue changes color to raspberry.
Infectious and other diseases
In the oral cavity there are many pathogenic fungi and bacteria. Their growth is restrained by the body's immune system. As soon as a malfunction occurs in her work, the infection begins its attack.
In humans, a rough tongue and a white coating on the glands may indicate the development of follicular or catarrhal tonsillitis. The disease is accompanied by sore throat and fever. The causative agents of the disease are streptococci and staphylococci.
The culprit of thrush of the oral cavity is Candida fungus. A very dense white coating appears on the surface of the tongue. In that case, if you try to remove it, the mucous membrane under it will begin to bleed. The development of this chronic pathology is observed in patients with HIV infection.
Dry tongue is accompanied by a malfunction of the thyroid gland. In this case, symptoms such as sweating, loss of appetite, diarrhea, irritability and anxiety are observed.
Diabetes mellitus is characterized by the development of thirst, the patient's tongue becomes rough and dry.
In the event that a dense white plaque focuses on its lateral parts and tip, this may indicate the development of latent renal failure. This is a very serious problem that can lead to death. Therefore, having noticed such formations in the language, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor.
Leukoplakia
Leukoplakia affects the mucous membranes. Often, it is she who is the reason that the language has become rough. This pathology is easily confused with thrush. A white coating also appears on the tongue, but it has clearly defined edges. Its surface is rough and dry. It is impossible to remove the plaque with a spatula.
The reasons for the development of this pathology are not fully identified. It is believed that the main role is played by provoking factors: thermal, physical and chemical irritation. Of particular danger is the effect of several agents at once. For example, irritation with a galvanic current, which is formed as a result of the use of dissimilar metal prostheses. As well as mechanical damage to the mucosa with dental instruments. In smokers, leukoplakia can occur as a result of exposure to smoke and high temperatures.
Internal factors in the development of the disease play an important role. These are hormonal abnormalities, gastroenterological diseases, vitamin A deficiency. The danger of the disease is that gradually it can transform into cancer.
Diagnosis and treatment
The doctor can prescribe treatment only after he has determined exactly why the tongue is rough. Sometimes the cause can be identified immediately and the need for numerous diagnostic procedures does not arise. But in some cases, you may need:
- complete blood count;
- bacteriological examination of the microflora of the oral cavity;
- gastroscopy;
- Ultrasound
- bronchoscopy;
- acid reflux test.
After the underlying disease is identified, the doctor will be able to prescribe treatment to the patient. The tongue will return to normal as soon as the patient's condition begins to improve. To eliminate dry mouth and reduce pain, the doctor additionally prescribes rinses with various antiseptics.
Treatment by folk methods
There are several effective recipes for traditional medicine that help alleviate the condition of the patient. Rough tongue is recommended to rinse with infusions of such medicinal plants:
- sage;
- chamomile;
- calendula;
- Oak bark;
- mint;
- sea buckthorn.
To prepare the infusion, pour a teaspoon of the selected ingredient with a glass of boiling water and insist for several minutes. After the liquid has cooled, it is filtered and used to rinse. In the finished infusion, you can add a drop of iodine, aloe juice or honey.
In addition, a cotton pad soaked in rosehip oil, propolis tincture or a mixture of carrot and potato juices can be put on the tongue for several minutes. Such a procedure will relieve pain, moisturize, soothe and disinfect the mucous membrane. After 3-5 minutes, the cotton pad should be removed, and rinse your mouth with warm water.
Treatment Reviews
Patients often leave feedback on how they managed to cure a rough tongue. In some cases, therapy does not take much time. Improvement quickly occurs after applying ordinary rinses with medicinal herbs. Good results are obtained by lubricating the surface of the tongue with sea buckthorn oil.
In the event that the dryness, plaque and roughness of the tongue is associated with the development of serious pathologies, it is not possible to manage only with antiseptic rinses. Often, patients write that they have come a long way before the correct diagnosis has been made to them. Only after a full recovery did they manage to forget about the problem of dryness and roughness of the tongue.