There are various diseases of the tongue that are unique to this organ and are not associated with other lesions of the oral cavity and mucous membrane.
One of the most serious ailments is desquamative glossitis or geographic language. The nature of the phenomenon has not been fully studied, but there are suggestions that the disease is caused by disorders of nervous trophism associated with gastrointestinal abnormalities, exudative diathesis, helminthic invasion, etc. In children, desquamation manifests itself in the first year of life.
A symptom of the disease is the occurrence of a grayish or yellowish spot on the lateral surface or back of the tongue. Subsequently, the epithelium swells, which is then rejected. At the same time, oval foci of desquamation appear, which can be combined together in various combinations, as a result, the language receives a drawing similar to a geographical map.
In rare cases, children have such a tongue disease as diamond-shaped glossitis. As a result of the ailment, a rhomboid area appears in the back section along the midline of the back of the tongue, in which there are no filiform papillae, due to which a bright pink spot is distinguished against the general background. Treatment is not performed, but an examination is required to identify the pathology.
Sometimes in primary school children a folded tongue develops. This disease is usually a companion of Down's disease. On the surface of the tongue, transverse and longitudinal grooves are formed, which contain filiform papillae. It is necessary to distinguish this anomaly from cracks and other manifestations of an inflammatory nature, or from lymphangiomas. This disease of the tongue does not require treatment.
The pathology, called the black hairy tongue, is caused by hyperplasia of the filiform nipples, which are overgrown with a stratum corneum and at the same time are extended to one centimeter or more. The papillae are dark yellow, brown-brown, reaching black, color. This tongue disease is more common in adults and is a complication after various diseases or appears as a result of taking antibiotics. Analyzes of scrapings of the surface of the tongue show a variety of microflora in which yeast-like mushrooms are found, while the signs of thrush cannot be determined.
Changing the structure of the nipples is not the only indicator of a disease of the human tongue. Its surface may contain various rashes, sores and vesicles. This is often a side effect of taking medication. In the event that ulcers appear for no apparent reason, especially on the sides of the tongue, you must definitely consult a doctor. Such symptoms are a harbinger of the development of cancer of the tongue.
If the plaque cannot be removed from the tongue, and the organ itself becomes bright red or pale yellow, there is a burning sensation or pain when swallowing, chewing, talking, then we can talk about inflammation of the tongue. With the persistence of glossitis symptoms for more than a day, you should go to the dentist. Today, there are a number of anti-inflammatory drugs that can quickly eliminate this disease of the tongue. Only in very severe cases does the patient require hospitalization.
Among the diseases, congenital pathologies are also noted - hypertrophied or vice versa underdeveloped, reduced in size tongue. These abnormalities are removed surgically.
In some cases, diseases of the tongue are associated with a lack of vitamins and minerals, resulting in tissue edema, papillae do not appear above the surface of the tongue, as a result, the mucous membrane becomes smooth. With such phenomena, drugs with side effects are canceled, and vitamins are prescribed.