A doctor has pointed out that the tongue can reveal clues about various health conditions. Often, symptoms of illness appear before a formal diagnosis; for instance, blood in the stool might signal colon cancer, while a lump in the breast could hint at breast cancer. However, fewer people regularly monitor their tongues for signs of health issues, though changes can be indicative.
Dr. Siobhan Deshauer, a YouTube physician with over a million subscribers, identifies several conditions that may be reflected on the tongue:
Glossitis: Glossitis involves tongue inflammation and swelling, sometimes linked to other health issues. Dr. Deshauer referenced a case where a woman suffered from tongue pain and reduced taste due to a B12 deficiency. A healthy tongue is usually pink with small bumps (papillae), but a red, smooth tongue may indicate a nutritional deficiency.
Gorlin Sign: The Gorlin sign, where one can touch the nose with the tongue, might seem like a novelty but can signal Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a condition marked by stretchy skin and hypermobile joints.
Macroglossia: An unusually large tongue, or macroglossia, might suggest an allergic reaction, infection, or hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid). Teeth imprints on the tongue’s sides can also be a sign.
White Tongue: Persistent white patches on the tongue, even after brushing, could indicate conditions such as Thrush, Leukoplakia, Lichen planus, or Hairy leukoplakia.
Color-Changing Tongue: Raynaud’s disease, which causes an exaggerated cold response, can sometimes alter tongue color due to its effect on blood vessels.
Strawberry Tongue: A tongue with red, bumpy patches resembling a strawberry may be a symptom of Scarlet fever or Kawasaki Disease, the latter causing inflammation in blood vessels in children.
Dry Mouth: A dry tongue might signal Sjögren’s syndrome, an autoimmune condition affecting fluid-producing parts of the body and causing dry eyes, skin, nausea, and joint pain.
Dr. Deshauer encourages regular observation of the tongue, as it may provide early insights into underlying health issues.