The tongue swells and the palate becomes numb. Let us list the main symptoms of glossalgia

Any unpleasant symptom that appears constantly should not be ignored. After all, many serious illnesses often make themselves felt at first only by minor disturbances in well-being. So one of the warning symptoms is considered to be numbness of the tongue. Sometimes its appearance is explained by completely harmless factors and does not require any special correction. But this doesn't always happen. We will talk on the www.site about the features of such a phenomenon as numbness of the tongue, treatment, causes, and also discuss the symptoms.

Why does numbness of the tongue occur, what reasons lead to it?

Doctors classify numbness of the tongue as a sensitivity disorder or as paresthesia. A temporary disturbance of this type can be explained by a slight injury to the cranial or spinal nerves, their sensitive branches pass directly to the tongue area. A similar condition can occur after wisdom teeth are removed.

Temporary numbness of the tongue can be caused by the consumption of certain medications, including the cough suppressant libexin or the painkiller belastesin; it is often prescribed when it is necessary to eliminate pain and spasms in the gastrointestinal tract (stomach or intestines).

Chronic numbness of the tongue can be observed in diseases of the nervous system, which are associated with disturbances in the activity of the nerves that provide its full innervation. So, for example, with neuritis of the glossopharyngeal nerve, there is damage to its sensitivity in the posterior part of the tongue, and problems with the lingual nerve cause changes in sensitivity in the posterior or lateral parts of this organ.

In some cases, numbness of the tongue may be due to compression of the nerve by a tumor lesion or swelling, which is associated with an inflammatory lesion or allergic reactions.

Possible causes of tongue numbness include degenerative processes provoked by circulatory disorders or failures of metabolic processes in this organ. This problem can be explained by chronic intoxication with alcohol and other toxic elements. Numbness of the tongue can also occur with diabetes or with a deficiency of certain vitamins, for example, nicotinic acid.

Impaired sensitivity of the tongue can occur due to malocclusion, hormonal problems, functional or organic lesions of the nervous system (both autonomic and central).

How exactly does numbness of the tongue manifest, what are its symptoms?

If the numbness is not accompanied by a change in the appearance of the tongue, doctors talk about the development of glossalgia. This pathological condition develops gradually. At first, the symptoms of sensory impairment are short-term in nature. But over time, attacks may recur, and their duration and intensity may increase. Most often, the patient’s condition is disturbed in the late afternoon, especially after physical or psychological stress.

Over time, the pathological processes may be accompanied by swelling and a slight increase in the papillae of the tongue. Directly on the lower surface of this organ, the veins dilate, and a decrease in salivation is also observed.

Sometimes numbness of the tongue is accompanied by burning, tingling, itching and other unpleasant symptoms.

Treatment of tongue numbness

Successful correction of tongue numbness is possible only with the correct identification of the causes of such a disorder. First of all, doctors eliminate all factors that can irritate the tongue. In this case, improper taste is treated, incorrectly placed dentures are replaced, dental plaque is removed, sharp edges of crowns or fillings are smoothed, metal fillings or dentures with dissimilar metals are changed, etc.

Patients with such disorders are advised to follow a dietary diet; all foods that can irritate the tongue should be excluded from the diet.

As for medicinal treatment, doctors often use sedatives and drugs that improve blood circulation. Vitamin-mineral complexes and other compounds that optimize metabolism are also often the drugs of choice. As you know, impaired sensitivity of the tongue is often associated with problems in the functioning of the nervous system, so therapy for such a symptom can last for a long time.

If the sensitivity of the tongue is caused by tumor lesions, the patient is indicated for surgical intervention. If the disease is malignant, appropriate treatment is carried out - chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

If numbness is caused by allergies, then antihistamines can help the patient. In addition, in this case, it is extremely important to determine which substance caused the development of the allergy and eliminate contact with it.

If loss of tongue sensitivity has developed against the background of psychogenic disorders, patients are advised to change their lifestyle, as well as take antidepressants and antipsychotics. Psychotherapy courses also have an excellent effect.

If tongue numbness occurs systematically, you should definitely consult a doctor. You will need to consult a dentist, neurologist and endocrinologist. In most cases, such an unpleasant symptom can be successfully treated.

Now in the age of high technology, when medicine is developing by leaps and bounds, it seems that a person can solve all problems and cure any disease. Diseases such as sore throat and flu can be treated fairly quickly, and medicine has developed many medications for their treatment. But there are still cases when the disease “captures” a person so much that he is simply unable to escape.

The terrible word “disability” immediately comes to mind, but even a seemingly insignificant disorder of sensitivity can cause serious disorders in the body. A person may suffer from slight numbness in the tongue area, but he is unable to provide an adequate explanation for this. So why does numbness of the tongue occur, why is it dangerous and how to treat it?

Many people, having discovered numbness in the tongue area, do not think about it, they think “maybe it will work out” or that “there is nothing wrong with it.” But it is still better to know the cause of this manifestation and how to recover from it.

Numbness in the tip of the tongue is a fairly common phenomenon among the population. This manifestation in modern medicine is called paresthesia. In another way, this can be understood as some violation of the sensitivity of the tongue.

Symptoms of the disease

This disease can have several types of manifestations. This may be an almost imperceptible, slight tingling in the area of ​​the tongue, or there may be goosebumps running across the tongue. And the last, most unpleasant manifestation is partial or complete loss of sensitivity of the tip of the tongue. Often, of course, the symptoms of this disease appear in the most harmless form, but they can cause a lot of inconvenience to a person. Then you need to act to cure the paresthesia.

Main reasons for development

It is impossible to immediately find the cause of tongue numbness. To do this, you need to undergo the necessary examination, after which it will be possible to objectively say what was the cause of the disease. The cause of the disease may be diseases of the cervical spine. If you are currently taking antibiotics, then this may also cause numbness in your tongue. There are so many of them that problems with the thyroid gland can also cause this disease.

Many people don’t realize, but after visiting the dentist, a person’s tongue can also become numb. This is due to the fact that when removing a tooth, the dentist can accidentally touch a nerve, resulting in numbness. In this case, it is not dangerous, because after some time the sensitivity of the tongue will return to normal and there is no need to worry.

But numbness of the tongue can sometimes be a symptom of a terrible and dangerous disease. Such diseases are diabetes and various cardiovascular diseases. Basically, in the presence of such diseases, numbness of the tongue occurs as a result of increased dryness of the tongue mucosa. But this is not the most dangerous thing, since numbness of the tongue can be the cause of impending or.

If you do not find these manifestations in yourself, then look for possible causes in problems related to the heart or the oral cavity. Also, look carefully and read the ingredients in your toothpaste, as using it may cause numbness as you may be allergic to some of the ingredients in the toothpaste. If you use chewing gum and often feel numbness on your tongue, then stop using it and get tested for possible allergies. In this case, you will know which components you are allergic to, and in the future exclude them from your diet.

You may not have thought about it, but stress and increased irritability and nervousness are another reason for tongue numbness. Therefore, pay close attention to your mood and its changes, as this will lead to numbness. If your diet lacks vitamins, then be sure to include them in your diet, namely vitamin B12, the lack of which leads to loss of tongue sensitivity.

What to do if your tongue is numb?

In fact, there can be an endless number of reasons for tongue numbness, and only an experienced doctor will be able to get to the bottom of the truth. At the same time, none of these reasons should be ignored, because numbness of the tongue is a very serious symptom of any disease. Therefore, do not under any circumstances leave your problem unresolved.

Be sure to visit a doctor and undergo the prescribed full examination of the body. The tests that you will need to take will detect diseases such as diabetes, tuberculosis, and various cardiovascular diseases. Your doctor may send you to a dentist, endocrinologist, or even a neurologist, so don’t be alarmed, because this is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis and find out the cause of your concerns.

It is also necessary to provide the attending physician with complete information about the use of any medications over the past six months to a year and data on previous diseases, including tooth extraction, dietary habits, replacement of toothpaste, etc.

In addition, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical spine may be prescribed using a device whose magnetic field must have a strength of at least 1 Tesla. Once the cause is identified, you will be prescribed the necessary treatment. Be sure to go through it, do not ignore it, because the success of curing the disease depends on it. Be healthy!

Tongue goes numb - what is it??

Numbness of the tip of the tongue is not a very painful process, but in some cases dangerous. Long or short, systematic or very rare, accompanied by other unpleasant sensations or observed as a single symptom - in any case, it is necessary to find out the cause and take action.

According to statistics, at least 72% of humanity has experienced numbness in the tip of the tongue. In medicine, this process is called paresthesia and means loss of sensitivity of nerve endings (temporary or permanent). The tongue may become numb completely or only in the lateral areas, but most often it is the tip that loses sensitivity.

Regardless of whether the tip of the tongue goes numb due to an adverse reaction to an irritant or as a result of a disease of a certain organ system, the symptoms of loss of sensitivity are practically the same:

  • There is a feeling of suppressed itching inside the tongue muscle;
  • A burning sensation, the intensity of which may vary;
  • Tingling on the surface of the tip of the tongue;
  • Tingling, similar to numbness in the limbs;
  • Feeling of cold on the mucous membrane.

A person experiences one or more symptoms from this list. As a rule, during the next numbness the sensations will be exactly the same.

Why the tip of the tongue goes numb, what it means and whether it is worth neglecting such a seemingly trifle can only be understood by finding out the true reason.

Let's start with cases where numbness of the tip of the tongue occurs as a reaction to an external irritant. This may happen in the following cases:

  • Long-term use of medications.

If we are talking about non-natural homeopathic tablets and syrups or pharmacological drugs, the patient taking them may experience a feeling of numbness of the tongue. Of course, just because you drink this remedy once, such a symptom is not expected.

In addition, if by chance your tongue is numb, you need to look for another reason. Loss of sensitivity after a course of antibiotics or other aggressive chemical-based drugs would be more reasonable.

  • Local allergic reaction.

One of the most common reasons why the tongue or tip of the tongue goes numb is a response to an allergic reaction. But in this situation, contact of the mucous membrane with the allergenic substance is a prerequisite.

The reason may be unsuitable components of toothpaste, gum gels, and rinses. Loss of sensitivity, in rare cases, can be caused by dentures or braces (only ceramic braces are considered hypoallergenic).

Sometimes numbness of the tongue occurs from cinnamon, which is included in chewing gum.

  • Lack of micro- and macroelements.

All processes in our body are based on the exchange of macro- and microelements. If some component in the blood is missing, the usual processes may be disrupted. The mechanism of nervous sensitivity also implies the presence of certain trace elements.

If the body lacks iron and vitamin B12, then synapses are destroyed and the process of impulse transmission weakens.

A lack of iron and vitamin B12 is also often accompanied by anemia - this may be the reason why the tip of the tongue goes numb. If this is your case, then in addition to loss of sensitivity, you will see that your tongue has acquired a reddish tint. Its surface is smooth, without bends or pinpoint tubercles.

This problem can be eliminated by simply adding bran and dried fruits to the diet. In severe cases, replacement therapy with iron and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is required.

  • Smoking tobacco products.

Tobacco comes in different forms, but the most unpleasant consequences for a person begin after smoking cheap types of tobacco. In this case, euphoria begins not only in the head, but also in the receptors of the tip of the tongue. If this happens while smoking, then you need to choose other cigarettes or hookah.

If we talk directly about hookah, then smoking “strong varieties” affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the body. After a few deep puffs, you may feel your fingertips, tongue, and feet go numb.

Do not allow the steam to travel below the mouth into the lungs; take breaks between puffs and if you feel dizzy, take a breath of fresh air. With repeated episodes, the danger of hookah on the body increases, so it is better to give up the habit.

It happens that a person has been smoking the same cigarettes for many years, but the tip of his tongue is only now becoming numb. This may be caused by a change in the composition of cigarettes by the tobacco product manufacturer. But a more common consequence is long-term smoking, and in order to get rid of loss of sensitivity it is necessary not to smoke for several months to completely remove tobacco and its metabolites from the body.

  • Stress and depression.

Your tongue may go numb after you are very nervous. Loss of sensitivity is possible even after minor disturbances that last for several days. Most likely, another symptom will be general fatigue and exhaustion.

The fact is that emotional overstrain is directly related to the nervous system. After emotional breakdowns, the nervous tissue is overstrained, so the lack of its functionality is often manifested by numbness of the tip of the tongue, which has a rich innervation (a large number of nerve endings).

  • 6. Mechanical damage to the tongue.

The tongue or tip of the tongue may become numb due to an incorrectly performed dental procedure: tooth extraction, anesthesia, filling. More serious is the numbness that appears after maxillofacial surgery or injuries to the brain and spinal cord.

What diseases can cause the tip of the tongue to go numb?

In addition to instant reactions to an irritant, loss of sensitivity of the tongue can also indicate serious acute or chronic diseases of the body. If you suspect one of them, you should not neglect contacting a specialist.

  • Diabetes (any type)

Diabetes has many symptoms and consequences, and loss of sensation in the tip of the tongue is one of them. This happens due to metabolic disorders: the oral mucosa becomes thinner and drier.

The patient feels that the tongue is numb, the head becomes heavy and “scattered.” You can check whether you have diabetes by taking a blood sugar test.

However, currently a more informative test is to determine the level of glycosylated hemoglobin. It detects whether glucose concentrations have increased over the past 3 months.

  • Stroke

Pain in the head, heart, eyes, tinnitus are classic symptoms of a stroke, but a person can attribute everything to changes in the weather or pressure surges.

If, with this clinical picture, your lips and the tip of your tongue also become numb, immediately call an ambulance: the sooner you are hospitalized, the easier and shorter the rehabilitation will be.

A micro-stroke is especially dangerous because Symptoms last for a certain time and then go away on their own. Therefore, a person does not seek medical help, but at the same time, pathological changes in blood vessels in the brain progress, further aggravating the problem.

  • Disease of the cervical spine

In this situation, the patient’s tongue becomes numb, dizzy, nauseated, and there is always pain in the neck. If you maintain a static position, there may be no unpleasant sensations, but when you turn your head or tilt your body, sharp, sometimes stabbing, pain will appear.

Often, loss of tongue sensitivity in this case occurs after sleep or a long stay in an uncomfortable position.

Numbness of the tongue in diseases of the cervical spine is due to the fact that nerves pass near the cervical vertebrae. If a growth forms on one of the cervical vertebrae or it shifts, nerve impulses have difficulty reaching the innervated organs located above the injured vertebra.

Problems with the neck until they become organic may not be dangerous; they can often be eliminated with a daily set of exercises.

  • Brain tumor

A tumor in the brain can be either benign or malignant, but regardless of this, numbness of the tongue still appears. Loss of sensitivity is due to the fact that the tumor mechanically puts pressure on the nerve ending or the center of the nerve pathways in the brain that go from and to the tongue.

Loss of sensation may extend to the tongue, trigeminal nerve, eyelids, i.e. on the skin and mucous membranes localized above the chin and corresponding to the innervation of the nerve.

A characteristic symptom of a tumor in the brain is the patient freezing (this lasts several seconds), loss of consciousness or hallucinations. Pain in the head may not be observed if the tumor is located close to the cortex and temporal lobes.

  • Spinal cord cancer

Very rarely, spinal cord cancer is indicated by numbness in the tip of the tongue. As a rule, a malignant tumor and the presence of metastases are determined by more severe symptoms. To clarify the diagnosis, a computed tomography scan is performed. X-ray examination is less informative.

  • Bell's palsy.

The disease is not life-threatening, but still unpleasant. With Bell's palsy, a person feels numbness throughout the face, and loss of sensation in the tongue may be the first symptom. But a disease like Bell's palsy often doesn't appear just like that. If there is no history of inflammatory processes in the cardiovascular or nervous system, there is nothing to fear.

  • Hormonal changes in women

If a woman is 45-50 years old, and for the first time she has encountered numbness in the tip of her tongue, then most likely she is heading towards manopause. In this case, there is no risk to health, just the hormonal background changes. Against this background, the likelihood of various functional abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system increases.

The same can be observed in women of reproductive age. This may indicate pregnancy, but, of course, it is not a reliable symptom. In case of conception, the hormonal background also changes dramatically, and paresthesia may appear even before toxicosis.

  • Glossalgia

This is a disease of the oral cavity, the only symptom of which is numbness in the tip of the tongue (). Due to glossalgia, the mucous membranes and gums are affected, and the speech-forming organs are also affected.

Treatment - how to get rid of tongue numbness?

Before starting treatment, you need to find out whether you have one of the serious diseases presented above. If you have any suspicions, visit a cardiologist, endocrinologist or surgeon who, if necessary, will refer you for ultrasound and blood tests.

If the problem is with the dentures you wear, you should talk to your dentist, he will recommend medications to reduce sensitivity to the material. It is also possible to replace unsuitable prostheses, since modern medicine offers 2-3 analogues for each material.

If you are sure that you are absolutely healthy, and numbness in the tip of the tongue occurs as a reaction to an irritant, then you can cope with this problem with folk remedies.

Rinse solutions are helpful in treating tongue numbness:

  • Take a teaspoon of baking soda and 3 drops of iodine into a roll of warm water, rinse 3 times a day.
  • Take a spoonful of celandine and St. John's wort, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 20-25 minutes. Rinse at least 2 times a day.
  • You can prepare a decoction of oak bark, sage or chamomile. To do this, pour a tablespoon of dry herb into a glass of boiling water, and as soon as the solution reaches a comfortable temperature, rinse the mouth.
  • If solutions are not suitable for you, make an application of sea buckthorn or peach oil. To do this, dip a cotton swab in the oil and apply it to the tip of your tongue for 3-5 minutes.

In the practice of an otolaryngologist, one hears both quite common complaints and not quite common ones. The latter may include a feeling as if the throat is numb. This situation can cause a lot of anxiety for patients, and you need to find out what is causing it.

Numbness is a type of sensory disorder, medically called paresthesia. It can occur in any area of ​​the body where there are corresponding nerve receptors, including the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. The reasons for this phenomenon are local or systemic in nature. The former are often associated with the following processes:

  • Inflammation of the mucous membrane.
  • Allergic reaction.
  • Traumatic injury.
  • Tumor lesion.

It is impossible not to mention the influence of external factors on sensitivity. Numbness in the throat may appear after eating spicy food, taking certain medications, or local anesthesia (at an appointment with a dentist or ENT doctor). But there are also general disorders in which paresthesia of the tongue and pharynx appears:

  • Deficiency of vitamins and minerals (cyanocobalamin, iron).
  • Neurological problems (transient ischemic attack, stroke).
  • Endocrine pathology (diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism).
  • Diseases of the cervical spine (osteochondrosis, hernia).
  • Psychogenic disorders (neuroses, depression).

As you can see, the causes of numbness in the throat are very diverse: from a local inflammatory process to a general disease. And each situation requires an individual approach to determine the origin of unpleasant symptoms.

Why numbness of the tongue or throat occurs will become clear only from the results of a comprehensive examination, which is impossible without the participation of a doctor.

Symptoms

Each pathological process has its own clinical picture, and clarifying it is the primary task of the doctor when a patient seeks medical help. From complaints and anamnestic data I receive subjective information about the disease. It is important to note the characteristics of the symptom called numbness:

  • Where is it located?
  • Disturbs constantly or periodically.
  • Is it related to any factors (colds, emotional stress, local anesthesia, taking certain foods, medications, etc.).

The doctor details the complaints and purposefully identifies additional symptoms that the patient could simply not pay attention to. And after the interview, a physical examination is carried out, including inspection, palpation and other methods (percussion, auscultation).

Inflammatory pathology

A feeling of numbness may occur in patients suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases: pharyngitis, laryngitis, tonsillitis. In such cases there will be other symptoms:

  • Sore throat and sore throat.
  • Dry cough.
  • Hoarseness of voice.

Upon examination, signs of inflammation are visible - swollen and reddened mucosa. Plaques are noticeable on loose tonsils with tonsillitis, and the palatine arches are compacted. The atrophic process is accompanied by thinning of the epithelium, through which the vessels are visible.

Allergic reaction

Numbness of the throat is one of the symptoms of stenosing laryngotracheitis (false croup), which can appear as a reaction of the body to an allergen. In other words, the laryngeal mucosa swells, and the lumen of the airways narrows, which causes ventilation problems. Then the clinical picture will have the following signs:

  • Barking cough.
  • Stridorous breathing.
  • Inspiratory dyspnea.

At the same time, other allergy symptoms may appear in the form of itching in the throat, hives, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. A severe hypersensitivity reaction is accompanied by anaphylaxis with vascular insufficiency (shock).

Having noticed the first signs of an allergy, there is no time to waste, because there is a risk of serious consequences.

Injuries

A feeling as if the tongue or throat has become numb can occur after injuries or operations that damage the fibers that innervate them. In such situations, most likely, we are talking about open injuries with a violation of the integrity of the nerve conductors. Additional signs may include pain, including when swallowing, bleeding, hematoma and swelling, and difficulty breathing.

Tumors

Oncological processes that destroy soft tissues are another local reason that may cause numbness of the tongue or pharynx. Clinical symptoms are determined by the size of the primary lesion, its location and degree of malignancy. Signs of a tumor include:

  • Intense pain radiating to the ear, nose, neck.
  • Difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
  • Feeling of a foreign body in the throat.
  • Voice change (dysphonia).
  • Bad breath.
  • Ear congestion.
  • Enlargement of regional lymph nodes.

If the tumor grows into the bones of the skull, pain in the jaw and teeth and double vision occur. As tissue disintegrates, purulent discharge and severe nosebleeds appear.

Neurological disorders

Acute cerebrovascular accidents are a dangerous condition in which tongue numbness is likely. But this feeling usually extends to one half of the body. Hemiparesis is also accompanied by a weakening of muscle strength in the arm and leg, decreased sensitivity, speech disorders (dysarthria), and disorders of consciousness (from stupor to coma). It all depends on the area affected by ischemia or hemorrhage. In most cases, the patient's condition is serious and requires outside help and care.

Spinal diseases

A feeling of numbness in the hands and throat can occur with diseases of the cervical spine, when the corresponding nerve root is pinched or irritated. A similar symptom is characteristic of osteochondrosis or intervertebral hernia. At the same time, other signs attract attention:

  • Pain in the neck of a shooting or aching nature, radiating to the head or shoulder.
  • Limitation of mobility.
  • Spasm of the paravertebral muscles.
  • Soreness of the root exit points.

Damage to the cervical spine is sometimes accompanied by vertebral artery syndrome, when patients experience dizziness, noise in the head, and even short-term loss of consciousness (drop attacks). All this is associated with compression of the corresponding vessel and a decrease in cerebral blood flow.

Pathology of the spinal column can also provoke sensory disturbances in the throat area, which is associated with an effect on the nerve roots of the cervical spine.

Vitamin and mineral deficiency


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The symptoms in question may appear with deficiency anemia, when the body does not have enough iron or vitamin B12. Then most patients note a perversion of taste, dry mouth and tingling of the tongue, a feeling of a foreign body and a sore throat. A detailed study reveals systemic problems:

  • Dry skin.
  • Hair fragility and loss.
  • Flattening, separation of nails.
  • Weakness and fatigue.
  • Burning and itching in the vagina in women.
  • Drowsiness and dizziness.
  • Decreased attention and ability to work.

Atrophic changes affect not only the tongue, but also other parts of the digestive canal, which causes esophagitis or gastritis. These symptoms are associated with a decrease in iron in the blood and tissues (anemic and sideropenic syndromes).

Psychological problems

The feeling that there is a “lump” in the throat and the tongue is numb often appears with neurotic disorders or depression. Such disorders are functional in nature and are accompanied by polymorphic symptoms, which can masquerade as various somatic pathologies:

  • Pain in different parts of the body (headache, heart, abdominal, joint).
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Dizziness.
  • Dyspnea.
  • Skin itching.
  • Anxiety and emotional lability.
  • Decreased mood and irritability.
  • Eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia), etc.

Taking this into account, many patients consult doctors for a long time, but they do not find organic pathology, considering them to be malingerers. However, with a targeted study of the psychological sphere, the diagnosis is not in doubt.

Additional diagnostics

The origin of the symptoms is determined on the basis of a comprehensive diagnosis. As a rule, a clinical examination alone is not enough, so the doctor, taking into account its results, will refer the patient to laboratory and instrumental procedures:

  • General blood and urine tests.
  • Biochemical analysis (indicators of inflammation, coagulogram, immunoglobulins, iron, cyanocobalamin, etc.).
  • Analysis of pharyngeal mucus (cytology, culture).
  • Allergy tests.
  • Pharyngoscopy.
  • X-ray of the cervical spine.
  • Tomography of the head.
  • Rheoencephalography.
  • Cerebral angiography.
  • Tumor biopsy with histology.

Having received a complete picture of the pathology and knowing its causes, it becomes possible to establish a final diagnosis. And this, in turn, allows you to begin treatment that will relieve the patient of unpleasant symptoms.

Why does my tongue go numb? What is the reason for this unpleasant feeling? This alarming symptom can accompany a number of endocrine and somatic diseases, such as anemia, diabetes, stroke and a disease such as laryngeal carcinoma.

If you were given local anesthesia during dental treatment, you will definitely lose the sensitivity of your tongue for 1.5-2 hours. Osteochondrosis affecting the upper spine, as well as antihistamines prescribed by a doctor, can cause numbness in your tongue. If you do not suffer from the diseases listed above and have not visited a dentist, then with a high degree of probability you can be diagnosed with glossalgia.

Glossalgia(or in other words, paresthesia) is a set of symptoms associated with unpleasant and painful sensations in the tongue area. Glossalgia affects people of middle and older age groups, and women suffer from it 5 times more often than men. Nowadays, the disease has become “younger”; it is diagnosed even among women a little over 30 years old. The causes and pathogenesis of the disease are not fully understood, however, there is a relationship with mental and emotional stress, as well as with somatic diseases.

Etiology of glossalgia

Factors contributing to the occurrence of paresthesia include:

  • diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (peptic ulcer, gastritis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, hepatitis A, etc.),
  • vitamin deficiency (lack of vitamin B12),
  • hormonal disorders (menopause in women),
  • central nervous system disorders,
  • psychogenic factors,
  • unsatisfactory condition of the oral cavity and dental system (presence of metal dentures and crowns, malocclusion, etc.),
  • diseases of the cardiovascular system (atherosclerosis),
  • inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis, sinusitis),
  • various infections,
  • allergic reactions (to metals, drugs),
  • injuries of the facial part of the skull and surgical interventions.

In 3% of patients, the causes of glossalgia remain unidentified.

Development of glossalgia

Thanks to modern research methods, the psychosomatic nature of the disease is confirmed. Prolonged stressful situations most often become a trigger for the occurrence of paresthesia. Doctors believe that the development of this disease is triggered by a chain of successive pathological processes in the human body.

Pathogenesis of tongue paresthesia doctors explain the anatomical and physiological ability of the maxillofacial part and the oral cavity to reflect the emotional states of the psyche not only by external manifestations (facial expressions, redness of the skin), but also by metabolic transformation at the tissue level (changes in vascular tone and blood circulation).

Clinical manifestations of glossalgia

Features and causes of occurrence, duration of glossalgia, as well as symptoms are strictly individual for the patient. Patients often associate the onset of the disease with recent dental prosthetics, with exacerbation of chronic diseases, with surgical interventions in the oral cavity, with biting the tongue with sharp edges of teeth, or with strong emotional experiences.

In some cases, it is difficult for the patient to determine the exact onset of the disease and it is not clear why the tongue becomes numb; the symptoms develop gradually, and the sick do not seek medical help until the intensity of the numbness increases sharply.

Symptoms of tongue numbness are characterized by disorders of the nervous system. The susceptibility of the oral mucosa to irritants, taste perception and tongue mobility changes. Unpleasant sensations most often form on the tip and side of the tongue. Moreover, paresthesia usually develops without the influence of traumatic factors. What sensations may patients experience? This is a strong burning sensation of the tongue, as if from pepper, a feeling of being burned by boiling water, goosebumps, rawness, tingling, a feeling of cold.

Sometimes the intensity of paresthesia is characterized by severe pain that passes during meals and after sleep, but becomes stronger in the evening, during a long conversation and with strong excitement. In some cases, numbness may extend to the upper and lower palate, as well as the esophagus. There may be cases of damage to the lips, cheeks and facial skin.

We list the main symptoms of glossalgia:

  • discomfort associated with numbness,
  • coated tongue,
  • decreased salivation, dry mouth (especially in the morning) that does not make it difficult to eat,
  • hypogeusia – decreased or distorted taste perception,
  • violation of microcirculation of oral tissues,
  • increase in size and swelling of the tongue (teeth marks appear on it),
  • fatigue of the tongue when speaking,
  • heaviness in the tongue at the end of the day,
  • involuntary twitching, trembling and tremor of the tongue,
  • pale facial skin, expressionless facial expressions, face “like a mask.”

If you do not consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not eliminate the causes, paresthesia of the tongue can last for years. Symptoms may temporarily disappear during vacation, when changing place of residence, or after spa treatment. Self-recovery is extremely rare.

Treatment

The course of treatment for glossalgia includes psychotherapeutic assistance, therapy for underlying diseases, restorative measures (vitamins, diets, physiotherapy), and sanatorium treatment. There is no need for surgical treatment. Patients remain able to work. Observation by a neurologist and other specialized specialists is necessary. The further prognosis is favorable.

In order to prevent the occurrence of tongue paresthesia, it is necessary to timely eliminate foci of infection in the oral cavity, competent dental prosthetics, hygiene, as well as therapy for chronic diseases of the body.

In this article, we tried to provide detailed information about why the tip of the tongue goes numb, examined the important symptoms of this disease, and told what you should pay attention to if such sensations appear in the tongue area.