 | Back | |||
| ||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Glossodynia
Glossodynia refers to a painful or burning feeling of the tongue. Glossodynia often occurs along with other conditions. They include:
Glossodynia also can be related to the use of some medicines. These include diuretics (water pills), pills for diabetes and some blood pressure medicines. Some people with glossodynia also have changes on the tongue that you can see. These changes are called glossitis. In some people, it is not clear if the two conditions are related or if they just occur at the same time. Glossodynia may be a sign or symptom of burning mouth syndrome (BMS). BMS is a burning feeling that can affect various areas of the mouth, not just the tongue. In this case, there are no visible changes on the tongue.
Symptoms are burning or pain of the tongue.
Your dentist will ask you about your pain:
The dentist also will examine your mouth for anything that might be irritating it. Examples may include:
Your dentist also will look in your mouth for any ulcers or redness. Severe dry mouth can cause pain. Therefore, the dentist will examine your salivary glands to see if they produce enough good-quality saliva. Your dentist may order tests to look for changes in the blood count, glucose (sugar) and vitamins. Tests for fungi and bacteria can also be done.
Glossodynia can be acute (lasting for days or weeks). Sometimes it is chronic (lasting for longer periods of time). The length of time often depends on the cause.
Ask your dentist to smooth any obviously sharp or broken teeth or dentures that could irritate the tongue. Otherwise, there is no way to prevent glossodynia.
Treatment depends upon the cause. Treatments may include:
Glossodynia can be a symptom of another condition. Contact your dentist or physician if the pain is severe or lasts longer than two or three weeks.
Glossodynia without a clear cause is difficult to cure. However, it is often not a threat to health. Unfortunately, the pain can interfere with daily quality of life. Low doses of benzodiazepine, antidepressant or anticonvulsant drugs may help some people. When glossodynia has a clear cause that can be easily treated, the prognosis is good. Examples of a clear cause include thrush, a sharp tooth or a vitamin deficiency. However, it can take months for the tongue to respond to treatment. Sometimes, glossodynia will disappear on its own over time. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last updated February 6, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2002-2013 Aetna, Inc. All rights reserved. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen. Use of this online service is subject to the disclaimer and the terms and conditions. External website links provided on this site are meant for convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement. These external links open in a different window.