Are you having difficulty eating or talking because of a painful tongue? Glossitis has nothing to do with your lips and everything to do with your tongue. Simply means inflamed tongue, and a painful tongue usually means its sore, red and swollen.
The range of symptoms used to describe a tongue suffering the pain of glossitis are:
- pain
- sore
- tender
- swelling
- smooth appearance
- chew, swallow, talk difficulties
- color ~ dark red, bright red, pale
There are quite a few possible causes for your sore, red, swollen tongue. Your glossitis pain may be caused by a disease, disorder or condition, like:
- sprue
- anxiety
- syphilis
- pellagra
- leukemia
- pemphigus
- depression
- tongue cancer
- hypothyroidism
- oral lichen planus
- hormone changes
- pituitary gland tumor
- immune system adjust
- burning mouth syndrome
Your painful tongue may be swollen due to a drug, such as:
- diuretics
- diabetes medications
- high blood pressure meds ~ ACE inhibitors
Various types of anemia can cause your tongue to swell:
- pernicious anemia
- folic acid deficiency
- vitamin B12 deficiency
- iron deficiency anemia
Lifestyle, diet, allergies, infections, environmental factors. etc. might be your cause for a red flared tongue:
- allergies
- food allergy
- burn ~ hot food
- bacterial infection ~ strep
- tooth extraction nerve damage
- thrush ~ candida yeast infection
- irritants ~ tobacco, alcohol, spices
- viral infections ~ oral herpes simplex, canker sores
- allergic reaction ~ food dyes, toothpaste, mouthwash, breath fresheners
Glossitis is inheritable, albeit rarely. So ask your relatives if they experience any tongue discomfort.
The primary treatment goal for your red, swollen tongue is to reduce inflammation. Start by avoiding the avoidable, keep irritants away from your painful tongue.
If you suspect your glossitis is caused by an allergy, antihistamine treatment can help relieve your sore, swollen tongue. Malnutrition (anemia, deficiencies) is a major glossitis instigator, so get your diet into healthy balance. Good oral hygiene is another important sore tongue blocker.
Pay a visit to your health care provider if you are experiencing:
- blocked airway
- agonizing discomfort
- glossitis symptoms for over week
- suspect bacteria infection or cancer
- speaking, chewing, swallowing hindrances
It is important to have persistent tongue pain evaluated for cancer. Surgical removal of a small tumor is preferred over the possible alternatives. Notice that your neck’s lymph nodes are very close for a spreading possibility.
Some tongue treatments you may be prescribed to reduce glossitis pain and inflammation are:
- antibiotics
- corticosteroids
- prednisone mouth rinse
Give your tongue some swell downtime through brushing teeth regularly and eating healthfully.
