Changing the color, condition of the skin and mucous membranes never happens "just like that." This indicates a certain effect on the body of external or internal factors. Which may be serious pathologies. If yellow, what does it mean? The reasons for this condition are many, both in relation to adults and children. In the article, we will present what may be responsible for such a change in the color of the tongue. What to do in such cases, how to prevent the problem.
This is normal!
Doctors call the language a kind of "mirror" of the state of the body. If it is clean, moderately pink, with distinguishable taste buds, then the person is healthy, his life systems are functioning normally. And, most likely, he has no bad habits.
If yellow, what does it mean? This condition does not always indicate a serious pathology. A light touch on the tongue is normal. If it is loose, and through its layer you can see the surface of the tongue. Moreover, the nature of the raid changes with the time of year. In summer, in hot weather, it can be more intense. In winter, a slightly yellowish coating appears. But in the fall, normal plaque in the language is almost transparent.
The tongue turned yellow. What does it mean? Pay attention to your habits. A yellowish plaque on the tongue appears among heavy smokers and people who abuse coffee.
What does yellow plaque mean in the tongue? Such a phenomenon does not indicate the development of pathology if plaque is easily enough separated from the tongue. For example, using a special brush. But in the case when the problem returns after hygiene procedures, if the plaque cannot be eliminated, then perhaps it indicates a pathology.
This is a pathology!
What does yellow plaque mean in the tongue? Its appearance may be a consequence of a malfunction of vital organs. Mostly the digestive tract - stomach, liver, pancreas, gall bladder. In some cases, this is evidence of kidney problems.
If yellow, what does it mean? There is a reason to contact a specialist if you note the following:
- A dense and thick coating that cannot be removed with a brush.
- The color of the plaque is bright yellow or even brownish yellow.
- Additionally, persistent bad breath is felt.
The tongue became yellow. What does it mean? Let us present the main reasons for this condition.
Disruption of the digestive tract
What does yellow language mean for an adult and a child? The most common problem is problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Moreover, a person may not notice other symptoms if the disease is at an initial stage of development.
An unbalanced diet, the abuse of salty, fatty, spicy foods, addiction to fast food threatens that toxins accumulate in the human body. One of the consequences of this is the formation of a white-yellowish plaque at the base of the tongue and in the region of its central part. As a rule, the problem can be solved by turning to a healthy diet.
The tongue is yellow. What does it mean? Take a close look at it. If the plaque is dense, saturated yellow or brownish, then, probably, its cause is already in the diseases:
- Gastritis.
- An ulcer of the duodenum or stomach.
- Enterocolitis.
- Pancreatitis
The denser the deposition, the more advanced the stage of the disease. If the tongue is not yellow, but already saturated orange, it also means that a person often suffers from heartburn.
Decrease in the functions of the digestive tract and kidneys
The tongue is covered in yellow. What does it mean? External and internal factors can inhibit the functioning of vital organs. So, the abuse of alcoholic beverages, addiction to purely fatty foods - an excessive load on the liver. A number of infectious diseases also lead to the fact that the body begins to produce too much bile.
She does not have time to be displayed by internal systems. One of the consequences is that the tongue is covered with a characteristic yellow coating, an unpleasant “metallic” or bitter taste is felt in the mouth.
The tongue is yellow-brown. What does it mean? Most likely, the matter is in diseases of the stomach, duodenum 12. A yellow-black tinge of plaque indicates problems with the gallbladder (cholecystitis, cholestasis). If the color of the plaque is close to yellowish-green, there is reason to talk about diseases of the liver and / or pancreas.
Drug treatment
If yellow, what does it mean? Note which medicines you started taking. If the doctor has prescribed antibiotics for you, then the reason may be in these drugs. Here, a yellow coating can be so pronounced that it is visually perceived as bright orange or dark brown.
But the effect here is not caused by dyes in the composition of the drug. This is a sign that taking these drugs is a big burden on the liver.
Respiratory disease
What does yellow language mean for a child and an adult? This phenomenon may be accompanied by an acute respiratory viral disease. A yellow coating appears with pharyngitis, tonsillitis.
In addition, the patient notes dry mucous membranes in the mouth, sore throat, fever and other characteristic symptoms. Why does a plaque form? In fact, these are traces of the activity of bacteria actively propagating in the oral cavity. They settle on the mucous membranes in the form of plaque.
Infections
A yellow coating on the tongue may appear when a person is infected with a number of infectious diseases:
- Scarlet fever.
- Foot and mouth disease.
- Whooping cough.
- Fusospirochetosis.
- Pink lichen.
The plaque here is intense yellow and even yellow-reddish in color. In addition, a person notes the following symptoms:
- Swelling of the tongue.
- Harsh halitosis.
- Plaque can be localized in spots.
The effect on the body of external factors
As we have already said, the appearance of yellow plaque in the tongue does not always cause a named pathological condition of the body. The reason may be due to a number of external factors:
- Inadequate oral hygiene.
- Addiction to tobacco.
- The use of foods rich in dyes.
- The presence in the diet of food containing carotene.
- Bleeding gums.
- Caries.
Condition in a child
If you notice a yellow plaque on the tongue in a child, then the first thing you should suspect is gastrointestinal tract disease. In this case, he may complain of nausea, abdominal pain, impaired stool, impaired appetite.
Other common causes of this raid in children will be as follows:
- Overeating, abuse of fatty foods. In addition to yellow plaque, dry mouth, nausea is noted.
- Infectious diseases. They also manifest themselves with increased body temperature.
- Intoxication of the body. May be caused by external factors, food poisoning, impaired liver function. It should be noted, and diseases accompanied by intoxication of the body. For example, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune pathologies, kidney diseases.
- Diseases in which body temperature changes in waves, vomiting and diarrhea are observed. The tongue here can be covered even with a brownish coating. Slowly healing cracks form on its surface.
- Jaundice. In this case, not plaque appears, but the language itself turns yellow. Like other mucous membranes, the skin.
Diagnostics
If you contact the therapist with a complaint of yellow plaque in the tongue, the specialist will pay attention not only to the shade itself, but also to the accompanying signs:
- The thickness of the plaque. If the natural color of the tongue is not visible under the coating, this in most cases indicates serious pathologies or chronic diseases. If the layer, on the contrary, is thin, this indicates both the absence of diseases and the beginning, early stage of the pathological process.
- The coverage area of the tongue. Is its surface lined partially or completely? The answer to the question helps to determine the severity of the patient's condition, when it comes to pathological plaque.
- Consistency. The doctor also draws attention to the nature of the plaque - flaky, dry, thick or soft.
- Easy to remove. How easy is it to remove plaque? Can it be cleaned? Is coming back again?
How to get rid of it?
If plaque is a non-pathological cause, then it can be easily eliminated with the help of hygienic procedures. On the back of the tip of the toothbrush you can see a somewhat ribbed surface. This is a special brush for cleaning the tongue. With it, you can easily eliminate plaque.
If you succeed, then the reasons for the raid in your case are poor hygiene, the use of “dyed” foods and drinks, or smoking addiction. Refer to such cleaning from time to time so that the problem no longer bothers you.
Drug treatment
The yellow plaque in the tongue itself is not an independent disease. As you have seen, it will only be a symptom of various pathological conditions. Therefore, if the plaque is caused by a disease, then it will eliminate itself with its complete cure. Therefore, the therapy will be prescribed by the doctor, based on the cause of this phenomenon - the diagnosed disease.
In most cases, a yellow coating indicates problems with the digestive tract. Therefore, the therapist can redirect you to a narrow specialist - a gastroenterologist. To make the correct diagnosis, to determine which of the digestive tract organs is working incorrectly, you will need to undergo a series of diagnostic measures. Most often this is blood donation for analysis, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, gastroscopy.
Drug treatment is prescribed individually, based on the established diagnosis. It is impossible to recommend universal drugs that could eliminate the cause of plaque in the tongue. It can be laxatives to cleanse the intestines of toxins, and drugs that suppress excessive production of bile, reduce the concentration of gastric juice.
In the case of gastrointestinal problems, an important direction of treatment will be compliance with the diet recommended by the doctor. Without this, drug therapy is ineffective. In most cases, the patient should eliminate or minimize fatty, salty, smoked, spicy foods in his diet. Refuse strong tea and coffee, as well as carbonated and alcoholic drinks. From chocolate and high-fat fat desserts will have to go to natural sweets - fruit, jam, jam.
Folk recipes
Alternative medicine can also be used. Imagine a few proven recipes (be sure to consult your doctor about the possibility of their use specifically in your case):
- Decoction of flax seed. The tool helps to improve the functioning of the intestinal tract. One tablespoon of seeds is poured with a glass of boiling water. The drink is insisted for several hours (it is best to prepare it for the night). Drink a glass of broth in the morning on an empty stomach.
- Infusion for rinsing the mouth of sage, chamomile, mint. To prepare the product, you need to take one teaspoon of each of these components. The mass is poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted for half an hour. Infusion is used to rinse three times a day.
- Ointment from natural antiseptics. One tablespoon of honey is mixed with one tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. The mixture treats the surface of the tongue at the site of plaque deposition. Hold the mixture on the tongue, try to swallow. Then spit, rinse your mouth with clean water.
Preventative measures
How to prevent the formation of yellow plaque in the language? It is enough to follow simple recommendations:
- Pay attention to oral hygiene: brush not only your teeth, but the surface of your tongue. Treat tooth decay, gum disease.
- Turn to a healthy, balanced diet.
- Timely treat gastrointestinal pathologies, respiratory, infectious diseases.
- Stop smoking.
The color and condition of the tongue reflects the general condition of the body. But not always a plaque on it speaks of pathology. If it is easily cleaned, does not return after hygiene, this is not a dangerous phenomenon.