Glossitis

The tongue is a tiny, movable organ in the mouth that aids in food chewing and absorption.

The term "Glossitis" describes tongue inflammation that may cause the tongue to enlarge and change colour.

 

Acute Glossitis	Inflammation of the tongue known as Acute Glossitis arises suddenly and frequently has severe symptoms. Usually, an allergic reaction causes this kind of Glossitis to develop.
Chronic Glossitis	Inflammation of the tongue that recurs frequently is called Chronic Glossitis. This might get started as a sign of another illness.
Atrophic Glossitis	When several papillae are destroyed, Atrophic Glossitis, often referred to as Hunter Glossitis develops. The texture and colour of the tongue are altered as a result.

Other Types of Glossitis

1. Rhomboid Glossitis: The centre of the upper side of the tongue will develop a red, smooth, or thicker patch from a Candida infection.
2. Herpetic Geometric Glossitis: It is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus and has been identified in individuals with compromised immune systems. The middle of the tongue develops a deep fracture due to Geometric Glossitis, which is frequently very painful.
3. Strawberry Tongue: It causes your tongue to become swollen, red, and bumpy; it's a sign of a disease like Scarlet fever, Kawasaki disease (which causes artery inflammation), toxic shock syndrome, or allergies to foods or medications. The Strawberry Tongue may indicate vitamin B12 deficiency.

 

Symptoms

1. Swelling in the tongue 
2. Itching or burning in the tongue 
3. Pain in tongue
4. Due to changes in papillae size and shape, the texture of the tongue's surface changes
5. Inability to speak or eat
6. Trouble in swallowing 
7. Changes in the colour of the tongue's surface

Causes

Glossitis is usually a symptom of various disorders, including

1. Nutritional Deficiencies: Iron deficiency can cause Glossitis because of low myoglobin levels, which are caused by low iron levels and affect all of the body's muscles, including the tongue muscles, which can cause Glossitis. Vitamin B12 deficiency also causes Glossitis.
2. Inflammatory Substances:  like alcohol, smoke, spicy foods, hot foods, or other irritants
3. Irritants and Trauma: Injuries from Burns and Dentures etc.
4. Infections: Glossitis can be caused by bacterial, viral, or fungal infections. 
5. Sjögren Syndrome: It is an autoimmune condition where the saliva and tear glands are damaged, causing dry mouth.
6. Allergic Reactions: Allergies to dental floss, mouthwash, toothpaste, dentures, food, medicine etc.

Risk Factors

1. Injury to mouth
2. Spicy foods
3. Dentures or braces that irritate the tongue
4. Herpes
5. Low iron levels 
6. Food allergies
7. Immune system disorders

Prevention and Disease Reduction

1. Maintaining a balanced diet
2. Using mouthwash, flossing, and frequent brushing to maintain healthy dental hygiene
3. Avoiding irritants including cigarettes, spicy food, and acidic meals
4. At least once every day, use dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth
5. Reduce your intake of sugar.
6. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated and prevent your mouth from becoming too dry.
7. Iron and vitamin B12 are two apparent nutritional supplements that protect against Glossitis.

When to See a Doctor?

1. Consult a doctor if you have the following
2. Symptoms like swelling, itching and burning in the tongue, and difficulty in swallowing, persist for more than a few days to months.
3. If the condition interferes with day-to-day life, visit a doctor.

Risk if not treated in time

Speaking, eating, swallowing and other necessary daily actions involving the tongue and mouth may become challenging due to Glossitis. In addition, Glossitis occasionally results in airway obstruction and breathing difficulties.

Diagnosis

1. The doctor will thoroughly examine the patient's mouth and tongue. The tongue's surface is  examined for abnormalities, and gums and soft tissues will be examined for blisters or bumps.
2. They may also request blood tests and collect a swab of saliva for testing to check for underlying illnesses or nutritional deficiencies.

Treatment

According to the underlying cause, Glossitis is treated as follows:

1. Using Mouthwashes containing Antihistamines, such as Diphenhydramine, Corticosteroids like Dexamethasone.
2. Treating infectious causes of Glossitis with antibiotic drugs and mouthwash.
3. Nutritional supplements and dietary modifications treat anaemia and other nutritional deficiencies.
4. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen,  Naprosyn, and Indomethacin.

How to Prepare for Doctors Consultation?

1. Make an appointment before consulting the doctor.
2. The doctor may ask questions related to the condition like signs and symptoms, medical history, medications, duration of appearance of symptoms.
3. The doctor may perform a physical examination to know about the condition.
4. You can ask following questions to the doctor:
5. Whether the condition is treatable?
6. How long do I need to continue the treatment?
7. Will the condition affect my personal or professional life?

 

Conclusion

Glossitis typically goes away with time or treatment. Avoiding foods that increase tongue inflammation may improve the effectiveness of your treatment. Maintaining good dental hygiene might also assist in minimising or avoiding problems.

 

FAQs and Answers 

1. How long does Glossitis last? 

A.Depending on the underlying cause, some cases of Glossitis resolve while others continue for weeks or months. Visit your healthcare practitioner for a thorough checkup if your symptoms continue.

2. What is the treatment for Glossitis?

A.The course of treatment will depend on the cause of your symptoms. For example, you might require prescription medication if you have an infection. In addition, supplements or dietary adjustments are frequently used to correct nutritional deficiencies.

3. What are the Nutritional Supplements for Glossitis?

A. Iron and Vitamin B12 are two major nutritional supplements that protect from Glossitis. Iron is used by our bodies to create myoglobin, which carries oxygen to the muscles, and haemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. In addition, the body needs Vitamin B12, also known as Cobalamin or Methylcobalamin, for various processes.

4. Does Glossitis cause Cancer?

A. Glossitis is not a cancerous condition. However, glossitis symptoms can match those of specific mouth cancers. For this reason, doctors advise a biopsy when they think someone with glossitis-like symptoms may have cancer. In a biopsy, the doctor removes a little portion of the tongue to check for cancer cells.