Language is a special organ, according to which you can find out if there are any diseases in the body. Any changes in the gastrointestinal tract can be detected in the early stages. Show the language to your reflection in the mirror and carefully examine it.
Language as an indicator of the health status of the body
The language has a unique property: each area on its surface corresponds to a specific organ. Thanks to this feature, you can monitor the condition of the body and identify the disease almost at the time of its appearance.
The language is usually divided into three conventional parts.
- Tip (front). Here is the projection of the lungs from two sides, between them is the zone of the heart.
- The middle of the tongue (middle part). This area is a “reflection” of the stomach and pancreas, and the spleen and liver, respectively, on the right and left.
- Basal part (back). This part projects the kidneys (on the sides) and the intestines - between the kidneys.
If the appearance of any part of the tongue has changed - it has acquired a different color, it has been overlaid, the papillae have changed color or shape - you can quickly determine which organ malfunctioned. The tongue without pathologies in the body has a pure pink color. First of all, the disease is indicated by a change in shade. Of course, this is not always an accurate indicator, since some diseases can occur without changing the color of the tongue.
If you have an encapsulated language, the causes of plaque can be determined by its color:
- Red - indicates ischemia, fever, infectious disease, pneumonia.
- Dark red - severe and even life-threatening forms of infectious, renal disease, pneumonia.
- Pale - anemia, exhaustion.
- Yellow - excess bile, hepatic pathology.
- Bluish - cardiovascular disease.
- Dark purple - angina pectoris, ischemia, cerebrovascular or blood clotting disorders, heart failure.
Also, the tongue may look lacquered, while there is no plaque on it - this happens with stomach cancer, chronic colitis, and intestinal disorders. Bright red papillae on the sides indicate liver pathology: on the right - the functions of the left lobe are impaired, on the left - the right lobe. The same formations on the front of the tongue indicate problems with the pelvic organs. But almost the most important role in the diagnosis of diseases in this part of the body is played by plaque, which forms on it for various reasons.
White coating on the tongue
You can often find that overlaid the tongue with white plaque, which is formed by bacteria in the oral cavity. Their greatest accumulation occurs on the basal part, where the tongue does not come into contact with the teeth, and therefore cannot be cleaned with teeth during a conversation or meal. White plaque may be the norm - morning formations in a healthy person are common. In this case, the coating is thin, transparent, has no smell and extraneous shade. However, it is easy to remove when brushing your teeth with a toothbrush. Therefore, cleansing the tongue should become a familiar part of oral hygiene. It’s nice to add a light massage to this. It activates the zones of the tongue, thereby sending signals to the relevant organs and providing a powerful preventive effect.
If the plaque does not disappear after using the brush, then you should pay attention to your health. Most likely, this is a sign of a developing disease, the symptoms of which are absent or almost invisible. Show the language to the doctor - he will quickly determine the location of the problem. The taxed body will be the first bell and show the localization of the problem. If at least something from this list does not look as it should be, you need to listen to your body. Perhaps there are already some complaints that you simply haven’t paid attention to so far.
Reasons for white plaque in the language
It will be useful to know under what diseases the tongue is imposed. If there is white plaque, and tooth prints remain on the edges of the tongue, this means that the body has ceased to absorb the beneficial substances that it should receive with food. A stain at the root indicates toxins, slags in the large intestine. If the plaque is located throughout the tongue, but unevenly, then there is a fungal infection, dysbiosis in the body, and there may be stomatitis in the oral cavity. In this case, the appearance of ulcers is likely. With constipation, the tongue is usually covered with a continuous thick layer of white plaque. It looks similar in case of infectious diseases with increased intoxication and high (up to 40 degrees) temperature.
With damage to the stomach or intestines, the tongue becomes covered with white coating and cracks in the basal part. Particular attention should be paid to this, since it is likely that, although there are no other complaints so far, gastritis or a stomach ulcer, enterocolitis, and duodenal ulcer develop. In diseases of the respiratory system, the formation appears in the upper part of the tongue along the edges. White plaque along the edges of the basal part informs about impaired renal function. In this case, you must pass a urine test as soon as possible to determine the problem. However, it is worth noting that plaque in this case may appear earlier than a laboratory test shows any deviations from the norm. This is an early diagnosis: you can observe an overlaid tongue. Symptoms of the disease appear a little later.
White coating on the child
No less carefully than the state of one’s own language, it is necessary to monitor the plaque in the child’s language. It is necessary to examine the oral cavity in a timely manner, including the tongue, especially in young children and infants who still cannot clearly identify their health complaints. In older children, parents should control the brushing process. And at the same time, inspect the larynx so as not to miss the signal for the development of the disease. The language of children, including newborns, has a pale pink color. The raid practically does not appear, and if it does, it disappears after the morning toilet and eating. If this does not happen, then a plaque in the tongue should become a cause for excitement, especially in the case of infants.
Young children taste everything they come across. Therefore, they are especially susceptible to infections, which, when ingested through the mouth, cause diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. It is especially worth worrying if the child has a tongue overlay and the following symptoms are additionally observed:
- he lags behind in height or weight;
- he has a poor appetite, but a great craving for sweets;
- he complains of pain in the navel ;
- nausea and vomiting are frequent;
- he has an unstable chair, that is, diarrhea and constipation alternate.
In this case, there is no time to determine which area of the tongue is covered with a coating. You must immediately consult a doctor, undergo examination, including parasitic infections and stomatitis. The latter ailment is a common disease in children, especially infants. Plaque with stomatitis is heterogeneous, white, with grains, there may be sores on the mucous membrane. Complaints about pain and burning in the mouth are also a reason to see a doctor. Younger children eat poorly or, in general, refuse food, cry, are anxious.
In addition, you need to carefully monitor the plaque in the tongue if the baby often colds and is prone to complications of the bronchopulmonary system. In this case, plaque will appear on the front of the tongue on both sides. Formations at the root indicate that the child has a problem with the large intestine. If the plaque is located in the middle, then this indicates a violation of the functions of the upper intestines. If the tongue is overlaid with a thick layer of white plaque - the child has a viral disease. By its amount, you can determine the degree of the course of the disease. If the plaque begins to disappear, then the baby will recover soon.
Physiological plaque
In addition to white, a plaque of other colors may form on the tongue. Each of them is a symptom of a disease. In this case, first of all, it is necessary to exclude the coloring of the tongue with food dyes and physiological factors. Some types of food change the color of the organ, but not for long. This should not be cause for concern. A physiological color change is observed after eating, as well as in the morning. For example, the color of plaque in yellow occurs both due to the ingestion of coloring products, and as a result of smoking, poor oral hygiene, dehydration, and the use of certain medications.
Products that can give yellowness include drinks containing caffeine (coffee, black tea), artificial colors in the products, as well as their natural counterparts found in orange and bright yellow fruits, berries, vegetables and spices. When stained with food, it disappears after cleaning. If this does not happen, then the reason is not the products.
Yellow plaque when smoking most often appears in the morning. In this case, cleaning does not clean, but only reduces its brightness. Poor cleaning of the oral cavity leads to the multiplication of bacteria, from which the remnants of life and plaque is formed. If the tongue is not cleaned, it becomes denser. Only the tip remains pink, which is cleaned against the teeth. Dehydration occurs with intoxication, fever and intestinal infection.
With an increase, the tongue is covered with a white coating, with an infection - yellow-brown. Dehydration is accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting. In this case, the tongue is covered not only by plaque, but also by cracks. They sometimes even bleed. In response to antibiotics and hormones, as well as some other drugs, plaque acquires a yellow-green hue. It is worth noting that medicines alone do not stain the tongue. This occurs as a result of the effect of the drug on the liver, which works in an enhanced mode, throwing toxins into the blood.
Other plaque colors
If the color change is not associated with food and physiological reasons and lasts more than five days, this indicates the pathological nature of the origin of plaque. In this case, you must contact the appropriate doctor in a timely manner. Brown, raspberry, green and any other shade of plaque signals that the body lacks minerals and vitamins. It also talks about the likelihood of a serious illness - diabetes, tuberculosis, heart disease, and even typhoid fever, cholera, or Crohn's disease.
Usually, white is characteristic of gastrointestinal tract diseases. But when the tongue is overlaid with a yellowish tinge, it is worth paying attention to the liver. Such formations indicate that an inflammatory process is underway in the gallbladder or stones are formed, the outflow of bile is disturbed. In addition, there is a possibility of liver damage with viral hepatitis.
Dark and yellow-brown plaque on the tongue informs about liver diseases and chronic cholecystitis. If it is formed in the middle part, the accumulation of toxins is likely in the stomach, small and duodenum; in the back - harmful substances are localized in the large intestine. Gray-yellow plaque is formed in chronic diseases of the stomach, intestines, increased acidity and dehydration of the body. A change in color to gray is characteristic during an exacerbation of the disease or a transition to the chronic stage. If the plaque turns black, it means that the disease has passed into a critical stage.
Jaundice tongue in children
Yellow plaque in children appears for the same reasons as in adults. But one should not forget about household reasons. After all, a child can color his tongue because of his age. For example, felt-tip pens, paints and pencils. In this case, the language may turn out to be not only yellow, but also any other, even unimaginable, color.
In infants, the tongue may turn yellow after the start of feeding. This reaction is often given by pumpkin and carrots. But it does not last long. Candies, sparkling water, chewing gum may also temporarily change the color of plaque. A careful attitude to the child’s nutrition and oral hygiene from the earliest days will help to get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon.
But if all these reasons are excluded, it is necessary to monitor the general condition of the baby. Perhaps there are changes in behavior, well-being.
Causes of a yellow tongue in a child:
- Hemolysis of the newborn. A fairly complex condition, characterized by an increase in the liver, yellowness of the integument and a high concentration of bilirubin in the blood.
- Biliary dyskinesia. In this case, the child will be tearful and irritable, periodically complain of abdominal pain, nausea, lack of appetite.
- Dehydration. Children easily catch infections, including those with vomiting, diarrhea.
- Stomatitis. Although plaque is white with stomatitis, it may turn yellow if the oral cavity is not adequately cared for.
- Parasitic infestations. The tongue may turn yellow when infected with worms, which often happens in childhood.
But even assuming a diagnosis, the child should not be self-medicating in any case. If you suspect a disease, you need to see a doctor to be examined and get qualified help.
Plaque structure
An important role is also played by the structure of the plaque and its density. So, curdled formations mean that the mucous membrane is affected by a fungal infection. Yellow plaque on a wet, glossy tongue speaks of chronic colitis and pathologies of the gallbladder. If it is dry - there is a violation of the secretory function of the stomach. A thin and soft uniform coating indicates the onset of influenza or SARS. In this case, problems with the gastrointestinal tract are possible. Sometimes such a reaction is provoked by products and medications. Dense and thick plaque is formed with severe infections and chronic pathologies of the liver and gall bladder.
Treatment of plaque in the tongue
White plaque does not always require special treatment. Before resorting, for example, to medicines, you need to understand why the language is imposed. If the reason is tea, coffee, other food or smoking, then you should abandon them. And the plaque disappears on its own. It is also necessary to monitor oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and tongue at least twice a day helps to cope with plaque and prevents its formation. The tongue can be cleaned with a special device. Toothbrushes are often equipped with these, but there are also special tongue scrapers. In addition, you can remove the excess with a teaspoon or a piece of gauze. You need to clean the tongue from the basal part to the tip. You can use toothpaste. An agent with antibacterial substances in the composition helps especially well. It is also necessary to rinse your mouth after each meal and use floss.
But if refusing coffee or smoking did not help, hygiene is respected, but plaque is still formed, it is worthwhile to seek help from a doctor. He will determine the cause and prescribe treatment.
Folk treatments for plaque
White plaque is successfully eliminated by decoctions of various plants. Traditional medicine advises the use of chamomile, St. John's wort, yarrow, oak bark, sage. You can rinse your mouth with vegetable oil. A spoon of liquid should be sucked for about 10-15 minutes, then spit out. During this time, the oil becomes white. If its shade has not changed, then the procedure was carried out incorrectly. It needs to be repeated. The tongue then becomes noticeably cleaner. After completing the procedure, the mouth must be thoroughly rinsed with water.
The yellow coating is removed if you periodically chew propolis or dissolve a teaspoon of honey in your mouth in the morning. Rinses with a decoction of chamomile, oregano, linden blossom, sage also help. Good plaque prevention - solid vegetables and fruits. They give a load on the teeth and mechanically cleanse the tongue. In addition, you need to monitor the condition of the liver and gastrointestinal tract. It is recommended to take a decoction of flax seeds for gastritis and an ulcer, and to maintain fasting functions, arrange fasting days and drink plenty of clean water. However, these funds do not eliminate the cause of plaque, but only temporarily eliminate it and disinfect the oral cavity. If after rinsing you still have a yellow or white tongue, treatment by a doctor is necessary.
conclusions
So, a plaque of an abnormal hue and an unusual structure that does not pass more than five days should cause concern. Physiological formations associated with bad habits and colored foods are removed by regular oral hygiene. The darker and denser the coating, the more difficult it is to clean and the more serious the problem. Therefore, the sooner you consult a doctor, if your tongue is overwhelmed, the sooner you find the problem and get rid of it faster.
Do not neglect the signals about the disease. An overlaid tongue always gives them, especially in children. Do not lose sight of this symptom. If you see that your tongue is overlaid, the plaque is not removed mechanically, it has a pronounced color and changed structure, be sure to go through an examination to make a diagnosis and not start the disease.