Your Tongue May Reveal Secrets About Your Health! Find Out How

The article, written by researcher Dan Baumgardt, from the School of Psychology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, and published on The Conversation Brasil, addresses a fascinating and often overlooked topic in our daily lives: human language and its myriad nuances. Although many of us don’t think about it much, our tongue can be a true reflection of our health.

Have you ever thought that changes in the color or texture of your tongue could be an indicator of health problems? Well, that’s right. The tongue can reveal much more than just the taste of food; it can be a mirror of our overall health.

Tongue color and its possible meanings:

• Light pink and moist: It generally refers to good oral health and general health.
• Red and swollen: It may indicate infection, fever, dehydration, or vitamin B deficiency.
• White and envelope: It indicates the presence of fungi, such as oral candidiasis, or poor oral hygiene.
• yellowish: It can be a sign of liver or gallbladder problems, but it can also be caused by consuming certain foods or medications.
• bluish: Indicates circulatory problems or lack of oxygen.
• White spots: It can be caused by leukoplakia, a precancerous condition, or oral lichen planus, an autoimmune disease.

The fabric of language and its possible meanings:

• Lisa: May indicate iron deficiency or anemia.
• rough: It may be a normal sign of aging or associated with diseases such as Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome.
• With cracks: May indicate dehydration or malnutrition.
• With bubbles: It can be caused by foot-and-mouth disease, oral herpes, or allergies.

Curiosity: What does strawberry tongue mean?

So-called “strawberry tongue” is usually bright red in color and has an inflamed texture. This condition can be a sign of many serious diseases.

• Scarlet fever: It is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes, and is a highly contagious condition that requires treatment with antibiotics.
• Kawasaki disease: An inflammatory disorder that can be serious and requires immediate medical attention, especially in children.
• Toxic shock syndrome: A rare, serious, emergency condition that requires immediate hospital treatment.

Common causes of tongue changes:

• Smoking and alcohol consumption.

• Infections: Fungal, bacterial or viral.

• undernourishment: Iron, vitamin B12, folic acid.

• Systemic diseases: Diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease.

• Allergic reactions: To food, medicine, or other allergens.

How do we maintain a healthy tongue?

Taking care of your tongue is essential to maintaining oral health and overall health. Some tips include:

• Maintain good oral hygiene by cleaning your tongue regularly.
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.
• Keep your body hydrated to avoid dry mouth.
• Seek medical help if you notice changes in the color or texture of your tongue.

It is worth highlighting:

• Self-evaluation of the tongue does not replace medical advice. If you notice any changes in the color or texture of your tongue, visit a healthcare professional for a full evaluation.
• There are other factors that can affect the appearance of the tongue: Such as food and drink consumption, medication use, and oral hygiene.
• The color and texture of the tongue is just one of the signs that may indicate health problems. Other symptoms, such as pain, swelling, and difficulty swallowing, should also be considered.