Leukoplakia of the tongue is a pathology characterized by the occurrence of keratinization of the surface of the tongue. In the oral cavity there is a feeling of tightness and dryness, burning, irritation. At the beginning of its development, the disease appears by the formation of small uneven thickenings of white color. Their formation takes several months, but you can notice them in two weeks. After some time, such foci become a little rougher, covered with ulcers and roughness. Timely treatment allows you to completely get rid of such a pathology.
Risk groups
Most often, tongue leukoplakia develops in men after 50 years, women suffer from this 2 times less. In addition, people whose mucous membranes of the mouth are constantly exposed to harmful chemicals, as well as smokers and lovers of spicy and salty foods, are at risk. HIV-infected people are mainly diagnosed with hairy tongue leukoplakia . Complete cure in this case is impossible, therefore, only supportive therapy is performed.
Causes of occurrence
If leukoplakia of the tongue occurs, the reasons leading to this can be different. Basically, this pathology is formed as a response to frequent external stimuli and is considered an optional precancer.
The most common causes are the following factors:
- Smoking. Nicotine, tar, aromatic additives, and tobacco smoke contained in cigarettes also irritate the mucous membrane of the tongue.
- Problem teeth. Rotten and neglected teeth are foci of infection and inflammation, leading to leukoplakia of the tongue. In addition, pathology can develop due to poorly placed fillings, bridges or crowns.
- Drinking alcohol in large quantities.
- Inflammatory processes of the oral cavity.
- Lack of Vitamins A and B.
- Harmful working conditions or trauma to the tongue.
- Weakened immunity.
Stages of the development of the disease
Tongue leukoplakia develops rather slowly, in several stages. The danger of this pathology is that at the beginning of the disease a person does not experience any unpleasant sensations. And since inflammation occurs at the base of the tongue, it is completely impossible to see.
Pathology develops in several stages:
- First, small foci of inflammation appear.
- After this, keratinization of the epithelial layer occurs, accompanied by the formation of white spots.
- Then the state of health begins to deteriorate and the development of a verrucous form of pathology occurs, in which the spots begin to become covered with warts. At the same time, the spots become much denser to the touch and begin to rise above the surface of the oral mucosa.
- If treatment is not started in a timely manner, the inflamed area begins to crack, the disease acquires an ulcerative form, and this is already an advanced stage of the disease, which can turn into cancer.
Symptoms
As is already known, if tongue leukoplakia has formed, its symptoms at an early stage do not manifest themselves. The disease can develop over the years, subsequently leading to serious complications.
The late form of leukoplakia is characterized by the appearance of erosion and cracks in the lesion focus, accompanied by the appearance of pain. In this case, any wound in the tongue or a crack causes excruciating pain while eating or talking. In addition, the damaged area becomes a source of infection of healthy tissues.
Diagnosis of the disease
To successfully get rid of the disease, its correct diagnosis is necessary. It includes the following studies:
- Examination of the tongue and the entire oral cavity.
- Cytological analysis of biological material. It is such a study that makes it possible to make an accurate diagnosis. To carry out the analysis, they take a small piece of tissue from the affected area, and this is done completely painlessly.
- A histological analysis of the material, allowing to determine the duration of the disease, at what stage it is, as well as the nature of its development.
Treatment
At whatever stage of development, such a disease as leukoplakia of the tongue is located, treatment should correspond to the current state. The doctor must find out the reasons that contributed to the development of inflammation in order to completely eliminate it. He must also develop an individual treatment regimen consisting in the removal of the lesion and the implementation of complex therapy.
First of all, all irritating factors are removed: dentures are replaced, neglected teeth are treated, and the oral cavity is completely rehabilitated . If the pathology arose due to internal ailments, then the disease that provoked leukoplakia should be cured first.
The initial stage is well cured with preparations containing vitamins A, B2 and E, which can strengthen immunity.
The main ways to remove the pathological area are:
- Cryosurgery is the effect of low temperatures on the site of inflammation.
- Laser excision and coagulation - in this case, use a CO 2 laser that does not leave scars, scars and cuts. The pathological focus is destroyed as a result of evaporation of biological tissues.
- Photodynamic therapy is the safest way to treat a disease such as leukoplakia of the tongue, as well as cancers. In this case, not only the lesion is removed, but the patient’s immunity is also increased. This is very important, since leukoplakia often contributes to the development of cancer of the tongue. Photodynamic therapy is carried out with the use of chlorine preparations and laser equipment.
Treatment with folk remedies
If leukoplakia of the tongue is diagnosed, treatment with folk remedies will be quite effective. Such home recipes do not require large expenditures of energy, time and money, and in their effectiveness they are not inferior to medical preparations. The following are the most popular methods.
Tongue leukoplakia is well treated with chamomile broth. For this, 2 tbsp. l dried flowers are brewed in 300 ml of boiling water, insisted for several minutes, filtered and cooled, after which they begin to rinse their mouth. The course of treatment lasts until the condition improves. Such a tool heals wounds and prevents the emergence of new ones.
To make another product, you need yellow sunflower petals that need to be dried. After that 1 tsp. petals and 2 tbsp. l 300 ml of hot water is poured into the roots of a garden peony and boiled for 10 minutes over low heat. Insist 12 hours, filter and drink during the day in 3-4 doses. The course of treatment is 10 days. During this period, you can not eat sweet and smoked.
Refined olive or sunflower oil helps to relieve irritation and inflammation of the oral mucosa. They should soak a gauze swab and lubricate the affected area several times a day. Also, the swab can be left in the mouth for several minutes or just hold the oil in the oral cavity, and then spit it. This method is used until complete recovery.
Forecast
It is very difficult to predict how a disease such as leukoplakia will proceed. For some, it can last for years without changing its benign course, while for others, it quickly degenerates into a malignant neoplasm. Timely treatment ensures a positive result, but relapse is likely.
To prevent the appearance of leukoplakia of the tongue, it is necessary to avoid provoking factors that adversely affect the oral mucosa.
Output
Thus, we found out what is language leukoplakia, the photo of which is presented in the article. It is necessary to treat this pathology, otherwise it can cause various complications, and sometimes it can even develop into a cancerous tumor.