Good Lifestyle

Language is responsible for giving us the sense of taste and helping us communicate through language. However, beyond including it in the usual brushing of the teeth, most of the time we overlook it when thinking about our self -care. But you will be surprised to know that this organ is so versatile that it can even give us signs that something is wrong in other parts of the organism. Surely you will pay a little more attention to your tongue the next time you see yourself in the mirror after reading this.

Healthy language

First, it is important that you know how a language that is healthy should be seen, so that you can then identify any worrying signal. Several medical portals explain that a healthy tongue is pink red and is covered by a mucosa or layer of wet tissue. On the surface, small bumps called papillae are noticed, which are the ones that help us perceive the flavors of food.

White -layer

If you notice white spots, such as patches in the tongue, it could be a fungal infection called oral candidiasis, which usually appears after passing through a disease or when taking medications that alter bacterial balance in the mouth. This is also common in people with poorly controlled diabetes or who are positive HIV, as their immune system is weakened. Another less common cause is leukoplasia, which is an uncontrolled growth of cells in the mouth that, although many times it is harmless, in some cases it can cause cancer.

Too red tongue

A tongue that is too red can be a sign of vitamin B3, vitamin B12 or folic acid deficiency. However, keep in mind that a nutrient deficiency usually also presents other symptoms, such as skin changes, vision problems or even changes in mental state. In more rare cases, a strawberry red tongue could be an early symptom of Kawasaki's disease, a rare condition that inflames the blood vessels of the body, or scarlet fever, especially in children. But, in general, the most common cause may be that you simply ate or drink some red food, so first check your diet before alarm.

Smooth language

If you notice that all or a part of your tongue is smooth, it could be glossitis, an inflammation that can cause pain, swelling, changes in texture (because it affects papillae) and difficulty speaking, chewing or swallowing. There are several causes, such as nutritional deficiencies, infections (such as oral candidiasis, gingivitis or periodontitis) and oral irritants such as spicy or acidic foods. However, it is known that gllositis is also a sign of celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder that affects the thin intestine. So, if you notice this in addition to other discomforts when eating gluten, go to your doctor to take a test.

"Hairy"

No, it's not that they get "hair" in your tongue. It is a condition called Pilosa Leukoplaia, which causes white or dark, irregular spots and with a rough or "hairy" texture in the tongue. These bumps accumulate bacteria and food remains. In most cases, they appear by an immune system weakened by some passenger disease and disappear soon, and even improve after brushing or scraping their tongue. But, if they persist and cause pain, especially on the sides of the tongue, it can be a virus signal such as Epstein-Barr or HIV.

Language with yellow, brown or black cape

Although it looks very bad, this really simply indicates that the person has poor oral hygiene. This layer is due to the accumulation of bacteria, and its color will depend on several things, such as tobacco consumption, alcoholic beverages, or brown coffee or excess tea. The use of products with menthol, peroxide, eucalyptus or alcohol, such as some mouthwashes of poor quality, can also cause a yellowish layer to appear in the tongue. Now, if in addition to your tongue you also notice the skin and eyes with a yellow color, go to the doctor, since it could be a liver or gallbladder problem.

Enlarged language

If suddenly your tongue enlarges or becomes inflamed, it is most likely to be because of an allergic reaction, so you should go to an emergency room as soon as possible. But, if you feel that in normal conditions your tongue is larger than normal (that is, that constantly hinders your bite and even has permanent marks from teeth to the sides), it could be a sign of hypothyroidism, a condition that is characterized by having a hearing thyroid gland. An endocrinologist can help you get out of doubt.

"Burning" Language

Surely you will have burned your tongue with a hot coffee or chocolate, or even eating pineapple, so you know the sensation. But, if you feel that without a reason, it is possible that it is the Boca Syndrome (SBA). The causes of this condition, which can last months, are not clear, but it is believed that it is due to a problem with the nerves of the tongue caused by oral dryness, infections, acid reflux or even diabetes. It is known that stress and depression can also contribute to the SBA. Generally, doctors recipe medicines to relieve pain and relief measures as greater hydration and mouthwash without alcohol.

Measures for a healthy language

This list of symptoms is only reference and does not intend to replace the professional advice. If you observe some of these symptoms, or any other problem in the language, the best thing will always be that you go to your medical care provider. But if you have healthy tongue and want to keep it that way, there are some measures you can take:

• Stop smoking or decreases the amount of cigarettes you consume per day.
• It decreases the consumption of coffee, tea, wine, queues and other dark drinks.
• Drink enough water, because maintaining hydration helps eliminate bacteria and tongue food and also prevent oral dryness.
• Remember to clean your tongue when you brush your teeth. You can do it with the same brush or with a tongue scraper. This will eliminate bacteria and dead cells.