At least a couple of times in our lives, each of us has experienced numbness of the tonguea. A visit to the dentist with a pain relief shot, highly carbonated drinks or spicy foods usually have a similar effect.
However, what if the tongue goes numb for no reason – for no apparent reason? Many will give up – Like, think, such a trifle. However, numbness of the tongue can be a symptom of a more serious health problem, in which case you need to see a doctor.
What can a numb tongue indicate? When can a numb tongue not be ignored? Read the article estet-portal.com.
Why does the – main causes and accompanying symptoms
Before sounding the alarm, make sure that your tongue numbness is not due to obvious external factors.
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As we mentioned above, spicy foods, cold soda, mints or chewing gum, drinks that are too hot, or taking painkillers can all have a similar effect. However, it will be temporary and will disappear soon after the factor stops.
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If none of the above are appropriate, note if you have symptoms other than tongue loss.
Numbness of the tongue may also be accompanied by:
- Tingling sensation on tongue
- Painful sensations in the tongue and also in the oral cavity
- Changes in taste sensations or complete loss of taste
- Weakness and/or pain in the facial muscles
- In rare cases – pain in the eyes and blurred vision
Most often, numbness of the tongue in combination with such symptoms is the result of nerve damage. It can occur due to infection, trauma or mechanical damage.
These can be:
- Nerve injury during dental procedures
- Nerve injury in maxillofacial surgery
- Head injuries (usually in such cases, headache and vision problems – invariable companions of the disease)
In any case, if there is a suspicion of nerve damage, you should not postpone a visit to the doctor. A neglected problem will give much more serious complications.
When you need to sound the alarm urgently if your tongue goes numb
Unfortunately, there are much more serious diseases and critical conditions, in which the tongue also becomes numb. Moreover, in such cases, loss of sensation of the tongue can serve as one of the symptoms.
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For example, the presence of a neoplasm in the corresponding zone can cause mechanical compression of the nerve, which causes numbness of the tongue. For example, with cancer of the larynx, not only the tongue often becomes numb, but also the mouth, throat, and sometimes the entire face.
Multiple sclerosis, diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease are also accompanied by numbness of the tongue.
Often a numb tongue becomes pa precursor of a stroke.
In this case, it is necessarily accompanied by at least a couple of symptoms from the list:
- Confusion or loss of consciousness
- Incoherent speech or complete inability to speak
- Uncontrolled movements, uncoordinated body
- Difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing
If you notice at least one symptom from this list in a person, call an ambulance immediately! Your prompt action can save someone's life, because with a stroke, the score goes not even for hours, but for minutes!
Why is the tongue still numb, and what to do about it
There are some other reasons for numbing the tongue.
Among them, there is often a lack of certain vitamins (eg B12) and minerals (potassium, calcium). Or iron deficiency anemia – low levels of red blood cells (hemoglobin in the blood).
Such problems are easily solved by adjusting the diet and selecting the right vitamin and mineral complex.
However, beware of prescribing vitamins yourself – without consulting a doctor and preliminary tests. Otherwise, you can further aggravate your condition.
Numbness of the tongue can be a side effect of certain medications – not only painkillers, but also antibiotics. After stopping the drugs, the sensitivity returns.
Numbness of the tongue along with headache or dizziness can cause even the banal cervical osteochondrosis, which is now widespread even among young people who spend all their time at the computer. There is no other way to help here, except for physical activity, the correct observance of the regime of work and rest and therapeutic massage.
In any case, if your tongue often goes numb (even if it is not accompanied by other unpleasant sensations), it is still worth seeing a doctor in order to accurately exclude all possible diseases.
You can start with a visit to a therapist who will collect an anamnesis, and then decide which specialist to refer the patient to next – neurologist or other doctor.
No matter how small a numb tongue may seem to you, don't let it take its course and don't self-medicate! Indeed, behind a seemingly harmless symptom, serious health problems can be hidden, which can be life-threatening to ignore. Take care of yourself!
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