Swollen Tongue -- Causes and Top 10
Natural Remedies
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July 19, 2010
By Louise Carr, Contributing Columnist
Talking, tasting, swallowing and kissing --- your tongue affects many
aspects of everyday activity. Life can become extremely difficult when
your tongue is damaged. What are the causes of swollen tongue?
When is tongue swelling serious and when can swollen tongue be
treated at home? Are there any mouth washes that help with swollen
tongue?
A swollen tongue is an abnormal occurrence where part or all of your
tongue is enlarged, bloated or simply fatter than normal. Swelling is a
common and important defense mechanism and it can be vital to help
the body fight off infection and aid healing. However, swelling can be
harmful if it persists over time or it’s affecting how the rest of your
body works.
Having a puffy tongue or swollen tongue can at best be extremely
irritating and at worst, life threatening. According to the American
Dental Association, a swollen tongue should be taken seriously
because if the swelling should spread into the throat it can partially or
completely block the air passage.
What Causes Your Tongue to Swell?
Swollen tongue is a symptom of a range of other underlying conditions
or disorders and not a problem in itself. Common causes of swollen
tongue include infection, inflammation, trauma to the tongue, genetic
disorders and allergies. One of the most common causes is allergic
reaction. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
says more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergic diseases
which can cause swollen tongue among other symptoms (The Allergy
Report: Science Based Findings on the Diagnosis & Treatment of
Allergic Disorders, 1996-2001). A UK Department of Heath study
found the incidence of serious allergies had risen by 25 percent
between 2001 and 2005. In comparison, 34,000 Americans are
diagnosed with oral cancer (which can also cause swollen tongue)
each year, according to Medical News Today.
Causes and Top 10 Remedies for Swollen Tongue
Treatment for your swollen tongue depends on the condition that
caused it and could be anything from a course of drugs to gargling
with a salt solution.
1. Allergic Reaction Is A Common Cause of Swollen Tongue
Swollen tongue can result from an allergic reaction to medications,
foods, bee stings and pollen. If you experience a more serious attack,
called anaphylactic shock, you should consult a doctor immediately.
As well as swelling of the tongue, you could experience hives, itching,
shortness of breath or rapid breathing or changes in the color of your
tongue. A 2007 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical
Immunology reports that around 25 percent of people with seasonal
allergies such as ragweed allergy develop swollen tongue often along
with itchy mouth and itchy lips when they eat certain fruits and
vegetables.
Author Joseph R. Perez, M.D., says that this condition is called oral
allergy syndrome (OAS). He reports that fresh fruits and vegetables
are more likely to cause oral allergy syndrome but the problem can be
present even with cooked fruits and vegetables.
To treat seasonal allergies or hay fever (allergic rhinitis) which can
cause swollen tongue, try the herb butterbur. A two-week, double-
blind, placebo-controlled study of 186 people with intermittent allergic
rhinitis found that the use of butterbur at a dose of three standardized
tablets daily, or one tablet daily, reduced allergy symptoms as
compared to a placebo and bigger doses produced greater effects
(Schapowal A. ‘Butterbur Ze339 for the treatment of intermittent
allergic rhinitis: dose-dependent efficacy in a prospective,
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study,’ 2004).
If your swollen tongue is triggered by certain foods, avoid those
dishes or ingredients that trigger the reaction or treat swollen tongue
with a dose of antihistamine medication.
2. Trauma To The Tongue Causes Swelling
Another common cause of tongue swelling is trauma or injury to the
tongue. This will result in a sudden swelling rather than a long-term
change. It’s easy to damage the tongue with the teeth, especially if
you play sport.
Try taking a does of ibuprofen and suck ice chips to minimize the
swelling. Use purified water for the ice and avoid ice cream because,
even though it’s pleasantly cold, it could introduce bacteria into your
mouth, increasing the risk of infection. Minimize the swelling in your
tongue by keeping your head at a level well above your heart. This is
easy during the day but at night you’ll need to prop your head up on
pillows to keep it elevated.
3. Swollen Tongue Could Be A Symptom Of Oral Cancer
It’s important to realize that swollen tongue is much more likely to be
a sign of another, less serious condition but the possibility exists that
swelling over a long period of time could indicate oral cancer.
The American Cancer Society estimates oral cancer affects one in
37,158 people in the US. Swollen tongue will not usually occur on its
own in this case, and would be combined with symptoms such as red
or white patches on the tongue, a chronic sore throat, pain when
swallowing or numbness in the mouth. Check with your physician if
your swollen tongue persists or you also have a number of other oral
symptoms.
4. Amyloidosis Can Cause Swollen Tongue
Tongue swelling that occurs over weeks or months could indicate a
condition called amyloidosis.
Amyloidosis is a disease where a harmful protein called amyloid builds
up in the tissues and organs, causing the tongue to expand over time.
Systemic amyloidosis can cause serious changes in virtually any organ
of the body.
Amyloidosis is not a common condition. The Mayo Clinic estimates that
amyloidosis affects less than 3,000 people in the US annually. The
disease is treated by correcting organ failure and treating any
underlying illness, infection or inflammation.
5. Gargling Can Help Swollen Tongue
Rinsing your mouth can be an effective way of clearing infection and
quickening the healing of your swollen tongue. Rinsing can reduce the
size of your swollen tongue. Use alcohol-free mouthwashes sold in
drugstores or from your dentist. A sea salt rinse is also helpful.
Dissolve one tablespoon of sea salt in a cup of warm water then swish
it around your mouth for about a minute. Try not to swallow.
6. Swollen Tongue Can Be A Symptom of Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland isn’t working properly.
Also known as underactive thyroid, the condition affects the way the
thyroid produces hormones to keep the body’s metabolism in good
shape. With hypothyroidism you’re not getting enough of the
hormones you need.
An enlarged tongue can be a symptom of an underactive thyroid. Other
symptoms include weight gain and tiredness. To treat or minimize
hypothyroidism, try reducing your intake of carbohydrates, eat lean
meat and fish as your primary proteins, drink low-fat milk and boost
your thyroid with lima beans, lentils, pumpkin seeds and sesame
seeds. Iodine is an important vitamin for thyroid health, as is zinc.
Suggested homeopathic remedies include Fucus. vesiculosus 6c., made
from sea kelp which is high in idodine, Iodium 6c. or Anacardium and
Pulsatilla, both at 6c.
7. A Tongue Piercing May Cause Swelling Of The Tongue
Piercing the tongue can result in unsightly swelling and infection if the
procedure isn’t carried out in a clean and sterilized environment or if
you skimp on your aftercare. A tongue piercing usually heals in around
two to four weeks so in this time you should be extra careful to take
care of it and cut the risk of tongue swelling. It may be helpful to take
ibuprofen before the piercing which can reduce the amount of
swelling. After the procedure, keep as many foreign objects out of
your mouth as possible to cut down the introduction of infection from
bacteria. This means don’t put your fingers in your mouth, don’t chew
on a pen and be careful with shared utensils.
8. Acromegaly Can Cause Swollen Tongue
Acromegaly is a rare hormone disorder causing excessive growth,
affecting the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland produces excess
growth hormone often due to a tumor. According to the Pituitary
Network Association the prevalence of acromegaly is approximately
4,676 cases per million population, and the incidence is 116.9 new
cases per million per year. Symptoms of acromegaly include swollen
tongue as well as altered facial appearance, enlargement of the hands
and feet, sleep apnea, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
9. Anemia Is a Cause Of Tongue Swelling
Tongue swelling can often be taken as a sign of anemia. Anemia is
where your blood lacks enough healthy red blood cells to transport
oxygen effectively to your organs. If red blood cells are deficient in
hemoglobin, then your body won’t get enough oxygen. Other
symptoms, as well as swollen tongue, include fatigue. Anemia can be
caused by low iron levels. Iron deficiency anemia can be rectified by
increasing your intake of iron, vitamin B12 and folic acid. Iron-rich
foods include liver, mussels, clams, sardines and leafy vegetables.
10. Medications Can Cause a Swollen Tongue Reaction
Certain medications such as ACE inhibitors, which treat high blood
pressure, and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such
as aspirin and ibuprofen can cause a swollen tongue. Check with your
physician who can prescribe an alternative if your symptoms are
severe.
Learn other causes of swelling: Swollen Lymph Nodes-Causes and
Remedies / Swollen Ankles-Causes and Cures /Tight Bras and Briefs-
Health Dangers /Swollen Hands-Causes and Cures/Night Cramps/
Night Sweats
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