Glossitis: pathology requiring comprehensive diagnosis and treatment

According to doctors, the mouth is a mirror of the human body, reflecting the processes taking place in it. One of the evidence of negative changes is glossitis, which occurs in several possible variants.

By melon disease is understood the pathological inflammation of the tongue forming tissues, which proceeds with a variety of symptoms.

In most cases, the inflammatory process in the oral cavity becomes a consequence of serious abnormalities in the functioning of internal organs, but sometimes occurs regardless of the general state of the body.

Features of the pathological process

The language, which is an indicator of developing in the organs and systems of pathological processes, signals the occurring changes with catarrhal inflammation, which can occur in acute or chronic form.

With glossitis, the catarrhal form of the pathology is one of the easiest variants of the course of the disease, since in other cases serious disorders occur that cause not only a change in color and structure, but also deep pathologies with the development of phlegmon or abscess.

A provoking factor is a viral or bacterial microflora, so this disease is considered as a kind of stomatitis.

In a number of cases, glossitis becomes an accompanying stomatitis pathology.

General symptoms of

The development of all forms of glossitis of the tongue is accompanied by the following characteristic symptoms:

• 

  Papilloma in the

  language burning sensation and the appearance of a foreign body in the oral cavity;

• marked redness of the tongue and its insignificant edema ( with the development of edema becomes more);
• increased salivation of ;
• blunting of gustatory sensations or complete lack of taste perception, its distortion;
• soreness , which makes it difficult to eat;
• speech violation .

Symptoms of glossitis may differ depending on its nature. A disease caused by a pathogenic microflora is characterized by adherence to the above listed symptoms of local temperature increase, and when exposed to viruses on the surface of the tongue, vesicles may appear, which after a burst are replaced by erosions.

Abscess of language

Untimely treatment of glossitis is dangerous by the development of an abscess, which can be determined by the presence of localized acute pulsating pain, uneven increase in the tongue.

Also, a dangerous complication is phlegmon, in which the inflammatory process spreads to the depth of the mouth and throat, making it difficult not only for speech but also for breathing( choking attacks may occur), causing severe intoxication with fever and lymphadenitis.

General classification of inflammatory diseases of the

language In the photo, the language for scarlet fever in the child

Glossitis is distinguished according to their nature and cause.

Processes with an inflammatory etiology:

• viral;
• candida;
• herpetic;
• bacterial.

Each of these species can occur in a superficial, catarrhal or deep form.

Non-inflammatory glossitis of the tongue:

• 

  On the photo Gunter glossitis

  desquamative;

• diamond-shaped;
• is atrophic;
• Gunther;
• folded;
• is villous.

These types of disorders occur when there are abnormalities in the functioning of internal organs.

Let us consider in more detail the frequently occurring forms of the disease.

Catarrhal glossitis

Differs by the easiest course and lesion of only the surface of the tongue. Usually accompanied by stomatitis.

Characteristic features are dense plaque and restriction of language mobility, increased salivation.

In the absence of treatment, the process is aggravated with the formation of ulcers and erosions and the development of phlegmon.

Desquamative glossitis

It is characterized by an inflammatory-dystrophic lesion of the mucous tongue and becomes a consequence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine and circulatory systems, avitaminosis, autointoxication( poisoning by the poison produced by it, for example, in the presence of allergies).

Common symptoms are added:

• tingling sensation on the tip and side of the tongue when consuming hot or spicy food;
• appearance of gray-white area with subsequent rejection of superficial epithelium and opening of red underlying tissue;
• surrounds the affected area with filiform papillae of gray color;
• detachment along the edges of the inflammation focus with the formation of a new epithelial layer in the center( as a result, the surface of the tongue, which is called "geographical", resembles a map).

This form of pathology can occur in several forms:

• surface - a clear design of the bands and red spots surrounding the healthy mucosa, gloss and smooth surface of the tongue after sloughing of the epithelial layer;
• hyperplastic - the threadlike papillae thicken( not on the whole surface, but in the centers of yellow, gray or white color);
• lichenoid - inflamed patches have different sizes and shapes, there is an increase in mushroom papillae.

Candidiasis of the

language Usually, the reason is the antibiotic therapy performed, suppressing the normal microflora of the body, or reducing immunity.

This form is caused by Candida fungi, characterized by swelling of the tongue and the appearance of white plaque intersected by pronounced transverse and longitudinal grooves.

Often accompanied by the development of candidal stomatitis.

Folded - dangerous for children

Among the possible causes of developmental dysfunction. Usually, the pathology is manifested in children and is characterized by an increase in the surface of the tongue, the formation in the middle of the main longitudinal fold, from which the transverse furrows extend.

When accumulated in the folds of fungi and bacteria, catarrhal or candidal glossitis may develop.

Rhomboid glossitis

Characterized by chronic course and atrophy of the papillae of the tongue. To the development of pathology may lead to diseases of the digestive tract, smoking, lack of vitamin C, the presence of candidiasis.

This form is characterized by the formation in the center of the language of a rhomboid or oval focus of 2 by 5 cm in size.

The remaining symptoms depend on the type of pathology:

• smooth - appear red or pink inflamed patches of small size, with clear contours, dense and painful to touch( papillae absent);
• tuberous - differently-sized red hillocks are divided by folds, epithelium is coronated;
• hyperplastic - accompanied by sprawling in the tongue of papilliform formations that have broad bases and flat tops.

This form of lesion should be particularly careful because of the risk of formation in malignant tumors.

Vorsic - do not mix up with anything

Among the predisposing factors, there is a lack or excess in the body of vitamins, diseases of the digestive system, the development of infectious processes, impaired metabolism, impaired acidity in the oral cavity, bad habits, and the intake of certain medications.

More often the disease affects men of elderly and middle age.

Pathology is characterized by the proliferation and keratinization of the threadlike papillae in the middle of the tongue and in its posterior part. In most cases, patients do not experience discomfort.

Hyperplasia filiform papillae noticeably elongate and thicken, become black or brown. As a rule, not all of the language is affected, but part of it, the focus of the lesion is located in the center of the tongue and has an oval shape.

Atrophic - when there are not enough vitamins

Among the possible causes of atrophic glossitis, there is a shortage of vitamins E and A in the body, the development of gonorrhea. This form is characterized by the appearance of a smooth bright red spot covering the entire surface of the tongue.

The disease progression may be absent for a long period, but in some cases the size of the tongue decreases. After carrying out a histology, an inflammatory process is found in the papillary layer and the expansion of the vessels through which blood and lymph flow.

Hunter's glossitis

Testifies the lack of vitamin B12 and folic acid in the body.

Characterized by smoothing the surface of the tongue, the subsequent atrophy of the papillae and the formation of a brilliant surface of bright crimson color.

Possible therapies

At the initial stage of treatment, proper oral hygiene, regular rinses after eating and mandatory preventive examinations of the dentist are important.

The diet should be adjusted, excluding aggravating inflammatory process acute and too hot food. During therapy it is desirable to enter in the menu mashed soups and mashed potatoes, viscous porridges.

In general, treatment is conventionally divided into such two stages as elimination of the cause of the disease and local therapy.

Topical preparations

Local treatment consists in the regular antiseptic treatment of the tongue with the use of rinses, baths and appliques. Most often, such procedures are carried out using solutions of Furacilin, Chlorophyllipt, Chlorhexidine.

After antiseptic treatment, the dentist removes fibrinous and necrotic plaque and applies agents that accelerate the healing process.

In addition, immunostimulants are necessarily prescribed. If necessary, an additional intake of painkillers is considered.

Surgical intervention

For mild forms of glossitis, there is no need for surgical treatment.

Indications for surgical therapy are only the course of the disease in the villous form and the deep damage to the tissues of the tongue.

Assisting at home

After visiting the dentist and getting recommendations, treatment of glossitis can be done independently by carrying out the following activities:

• regular rinsing of with Chlorhexidine, Furacilin or Hexoral;
• application to the affected areas of local anesthetics - chloral hydrate solution, anesthesin in glycerol, Kamistad, Lidocsora;
• treatment of inflamed areas restoring the mucous oils and peach and rosehips, Vinisolem, Solcoseryl or retinol solution.
• in candidosis glossitis, antifungal drugs ( Fluconazole, Nystatin, Candide) are added to the list;
• disinfection of ( especially after eating) - rinsing with Stomatophyte or Rotocaine.

Traditional medicine

To reduce mucosal inflammation and reduce pain, herbal decoctions and infusions used for mouth rinses help:

• leaves raspberries, coltsfoot, mallow and sage( 3 tablespoons in total) brewed in a glass of boiling water;
• sage grass and chamomile flowers are combined with leaves of laurel and celandine( total 3 tablespoons), brewed in half a liter of boiling water and insisted for several hours;
• sage mixed with bark of oak, roots of ayr and nettle leaves, pour a liter of cold water and bring to a boil, after 30 minutes of cooking over low heat, the broth is cooled and filtered;
• the leaves of eucalyptus are connected with the grass of the rape and the mountaineer, the flowers of marigold( enough 2 tablespoons), pour a liter of boiling water and insist for 1.5 hours.

Preventative measures

Given that glossitis provokes various factors, complex preventive maintenance of the disease should be carried out, paying attention to the following points:

• rejection of bad habits( smoking, drinking alcohol);
• a balanced full-fledged diet with enough vitamins;
• regular and high-quality oral hygiene;
• the need for a preventive visit to the dentist in order to timely identify carious processes;
• minimizing the use of spicy foods.

Observing simple rules, it is possible to exclude the re-development of unpleasant pathology.

If the disease does manifest itself, it is important to start treatment when the first symptoms appear, paying attention to each point of therapy. And, of course, it is worth a complete examination to identify the root cause of the disease.