The left side of the tongue goes numb. Tongue and palate go numb: causes, treatment, possible consequences

Now in the century high technology When medicine is developing by leaps and bounds, it seems that a person can solve all problems and cure any sore. Diseases such as sore throat, flu, are treated sufficiently in short term, and medicine has developed many medicines. But there remain 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 accept on this moment antibiotics, then this can also cause numbness of the 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.

You must also provide your doctor with full information about taking any medications over the past six months to a year and data about 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!

Numbness of the tongue scientific language called paresthesia. This organ rarely suffers from such a deviation, but it can indicate serious diseases occurring in the body.

There are many reasons that cause tongue numbness, so it is worth covering all possible situations.

Symptomatic picture

Numbness of the tongue manifests itself differently depending on the individual characteristics and the reasons that caused paresthesia. The following symptoms are identified:

feeling of “running goosebumps”;
showing at the tip of the tongue;
complete loss of sensation on one side or throughout the tongue.

As a rule, these symptoms are not capable of causing any harm to the human body unless they are accompanied by swelling. Otherwise, immediate action must be taken as there is a risk of suffocation.

Reasons for violation

There are many situations that can cause tongue numbness. Most often paresthesia is caused by:

There are unilateral and bilateral numbness of the tongue, each of which will help determine the cause of paresthesia.

Reasons for unilateral violation

Unilateral is associated with nerve damage, this often happens when teeth are removed, especially sevens and eights.

Wisdom teeth have large roots, so removing them can easily hit a nerve. If the lingual nerve is affected, the front part or tip of the tongue becomes numb, and if the glossopharyngeal nerve is affected, the back part becomes numb.

The disorder manifests itself only in the area of the tongue and on the side where the nerve was affected. In addition to numbness, patients complain of a temporary loss of taste, localized in the damaged area.

Separately, iatrogenic damage is distinguished, which manifests itself after the removal of wisdom teeth. Surgery can cause inflammation, which will affect the sensitivity of the tongue.

If the whole tongue is frozen...

Bilateral numbness is caused by more serious problems:

What to do if your tongue is numb?

As mentioned earlier, numbness of the tongue can be caused by a number of reasons that are completely different from each other. Since among them there are very serious diseases that threaten human life, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor and tell them in detail about the symptoms.

It is important to inform your treating specialist about:

During the diagnosis process, visits to doctors of different specialties may be required, but this is a necessity that will help identify the real cause. As a rule, tests are immediately prescribed if there is even a slight risk of serious pathologies.

Everything can hurt a person, even such a seemingly trouble-free organ as the tongue.

It happens suddenly. The reasons for tongue numbness can be quite harmless or quite complex.

You should not ignore the problem that has arisen with your health; you need to analyze all possible factors and, if necessary, consult a doctor.

Diseases that cause the entire tongue or the tip of the tongue to go numb?

There are a number of diseases during which such a symptom as numbness of the tongue is observed. U different people This manifests itself in different ways, for example:

Sensitivity disappears completely.
At the same time, the tongue and lips become numb and sensitivity inside is partially lost oral cavity.
There is a tingling sensation at the very tip or throughout the entire area.

Paresthesia, the so-called numbness, can be one-time, periodic (attacks) or long-term with the transition to a chronic form.

Numbness of the tongue accompanies the following diseases as one of the symptoms:

, with a sharp jump in the amount of sugar in the blood, general weakness, dry mouth, loss of sensitivity in the tip or entire tongue occurs.
, leads to a decrease in blood flow and partial pinching of nerves, resulting in a decrease in the level of receptivity and mobility of the tongue.
Injuries face, neck, head, spine, internal hemorrhages also lead to numbness of the tongue.
accompanied by numbness of various organs, including the tongue.
Stroke causes numbness in parts of the body, starting with the extremities, including the tongue and lips.
, which are accompanied not only by paresthesia of the tongue, but, first of all, by severe headache, decreased blood pressure and temperature, and constant nausea.
Anemia, which is easily determined by the results of a blood test.
Age characteristics associated with slow renewal of the epithelium and gradual thinning of the mucous membrane in the mouth.

In some cases, if the tongue becomes numb, the patient is diagnosed with specific diseases associated with the oral cavity. It can be:

Glossalgia– a disease of the tongue itself, numbness is accompanied by a burning sensation.
Candidiasis– accompanied by the appearance of a white coating and pain when eating.
– a disease of the facial nerves in which sensitivity of the face, including the cheeks, tongue and lips, is lost.

VIDEO Bell's palsy. What causes half of your face to go numb?

Everyday reasons why the tongue goes numb

There are many one-time reasons, not related to illness, as a result of which a person may find that his tongue goes numb. Most of them are associated with accidents or a careless attitude towards one’s health:

The most common cause of numbness is a visit to the dentist, as a result of which, after an anesthetic injection or careless actions of the surgeon, a nerve is pinched. This numbness lasts from several hours to days.
Poisoning as a result of working with heavy metals (mercury, tin, zinc, lead).
Burns to the oral cavity from hot food, acid or alkali.
Insect bites leading to an allergic reaction. More severe cases with numbness of the limbs and the entire face are observed after a snake bite.
Severe stress, which leads to dizziness and paresthesia.
Allergies to various foods, especially those that long time are in the oral cavity, for example, on chewing gum, toothpaste or a brush.
Drug allergies to various drugs, including antibiotics.
Excessive use of steroid hormones, which lead to numbness and loss of taste.
Regular alcohol consumption and smoking.

Paresthesia can also be observed in pregnant women, especially in the second trimester, if pregnancy is accompanied by swelling and surges in blood pressure.

Why might a child's tongue become numb?

For children, the same reasons for tongue numbness are relevant as for adults. Since children lead a more active lifestyle and often put any foods and things in their mouths, when parents complain that their tongue is numb, first of all, they should suspect:

Injuries (fell, hurt, bumped, got into a fight)
Poisoning and allergies (tried unknown substances on the tongue, ate suspicious foods, etc.)

Since there are fewer chronic diseases in children than in adults, each case of tongue numbness requires a thorough investigation. If the attack does not go away within an hour, it is necessary to take the child to the hospital and require a comprehensive check-up (X-ray, ultrasound, even brain tomography).

How does tongue numbness affect the sense of taste?

Cases of numbness of the tongue vary in severity and in the reasons for their occurrence. If the tongue only tingles slightly, then the person continues to feel the taste, temperature and other characteristics of the food.

There is a loss of sensitivity and disappearance of the sense of taste. In this situation, there is an additional danger that the patient may get burned or poisoned without feeling what he is putting in his mouth.

If a person experiences chronic disorders and degenerative tendencies arise in the activity of capillaries and nerves, then numbness first becomes chronic and then permanent. The change over time can be observed visually. Taste buds disappear on the surface of the tongue, it becomes smooth, the veins dilate, and saliva production decreases. As a result, this leads to a complete loss of taste.

Progressive diabetes mellitus, alcohol intoxication, and lack of vitamins can lead to these consequences.

In what cases should you go to a doctor and which one?

Cases of tongue numbness should never be ignored. First of all, self-diagnosis is carried out. If you can establish the cause, rule it out and the numbness disappears, then there is nothing to worry about.

In cases where the causes of numbness could not be established, and it does not go away or regularly recurs, then you need to go to the clinic and prepare for the fact that you will have to visit a number of doctors and undergo many tests before a diagnosis is made and treatment begins.

Most likely, you will need to visit the following specialists:

neurologist,
dentist,
endocrinologist.

Each doctor needs to describe all symptoms in detail and as accurately as possible.

How to prevent your tongue from going numb?

It is impossible to avoid tongue numbness associated with the development of serious diseases. The only thing that can be done in these cases is to quickly begin treatment of the underlying disease.

For the rest, it’s enough to lead healthy image life, avoid provoking factors, protect yourself from injuries and watch your diet.

Contents [Show]

A condition in which a certain area of the tongue or an entire organ loses sensitivity is called paresthesia. There are many reasons why the tip, middle or root of the tongue goes numb. These include both the impact of external factors and serious diseases that require immediate medical intervention.

The main reasons that provoke numbness of the tongue include Negative influence external factors and diseases, one of the symptoms of which is paresthesia. TO external factors include: excessive smoking, allergic reactions to foods and medications, injuries, injuries, burns, intoxication.

The tongue goes numb with the following diseases:

A decrease in the sensitivity of the tongue may mean that a person has malignant tumors in the larynx or in the brain. This condition in neoplasms is not the main symptom; paresthesia accompanies severe headaches (in the case of brain cancer), nausea, low temperature and blood pressure. Oncological diseases of the larynx, in addition to numbness, are manifested by pain in the throat (as with ARVI), impaired sensitivity of the palate, unpleasant sensations and difficulties when swallowing.
The tongue may become numb due to an incipient stroke or heart attack. With this condition, paresthesia of the hands, tongue and lips is one of the main symptoms. Additional symptoms include acute headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine can cause impaired mobility, damage and numbness of the nerve endings of the tongue. Osteochondrosis may cause pain and dizziness.
Violation of the psycho-emotional background. Severe stress, deep depressive states can provoke severe headaches, impaired sensitivity of the face, lips, and mucous membranes of the oral cavity. Psycho-emotional disorders are the cause of migraine with aura - a disease in which the head hurts severely and the functioning of the senses is disrupted.
If the tip of the tongue becomes numb and hurts, a burning or tingling sensation occurs, it means that the person has developed glossalgia or glossitis.

Manifestation different forms glossitis of the tongue

The tongue may lose sensitivity partially or completely. It is necessary to pay attention to which part of the organ is numb, since localization may indicate a specific disease.

Paresthesia begins with tingling of the tip of the tongue, then “running goosebumps” appear over the entire surface of the organ, and only after that there is a feeling of partial or complete numbness of the tongue.

In most cases, numbness in the tip of the tongue is a sign of the negative impact of external factors. This condition manifests itself with excessive smoking, alcohol consumption, intoxication, imbalance of vitamins and minerals in the body, especially with a lack of vitamin B12. Loss of sensitivity of the tip of the tongue can be caused by an allergic reaction, in which case the symptom will be accompanied by swelling and paresthesia of the oral mucosa.

Numbness of the tongue and hands, accompanied by an acute headache, requires immediate consultation with a neurologist. Paresthesia in tandem with migraine can signal a sharp drop in insulin and an increase in blood sugar. In this case, consultation with an endocrinologist is necessary.

Neoplasm in the larynx

Paresthesia of the throat and tongue indicates the occurrence of malignant neoplasms in the larynx. Numbness of the tongue and palate may be a manifestation of an allergic reaction. Injuries or damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve cause the root of the tongue to become numb.

A condition in which the tongue becomes numb and dizzy can be a symptom of VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia), osteochondrosis, neurological disorders and disorders, pre-infarction or pre-stroke condition.

Loss of tongue sensitivity is not an independent disease, but a symptom accompanying the underlying pathology. Only after identifying the reason why the tongue is numb will the specialist prescribe treatment, which will be aimed at eliminating the underlying disease or irritating factor.

In cases where paresthesia is caused by osteochondrosis, the following are indicated:

physiotherapy;
massage manipulations;
physiotherapy;
taking painkillers and drugs that enhance bone tissue regeneration.

Injuries that cause the feeling that the tip of the tongue is numb are treated with antiseptic rinses and dental gels. Allergic reactions that reduce the sensitivity of the organ are eliminated with antihistamines.

VSD (vegetative-vascular dystonia) is treated with drugs that increase blood circulation and dilate blood vessels in the brain. It is recommended to change the diet, introduce a nutritious diet, follow the rules of rest and work: 8-hour sleep, active lifestyle.

Oncological diseases require surgical intervention coupled with drug therapy, at the initial stage of the disease, endoscopy can be done. In case of laryngeal cancer, the affected tissue is removed; in case of pharyngeal cancer, partial removal is performed, followed by restoration using plastic surgery.

Trigeminal neuralgia can be treated surgically, but destruction of the nerve is often required. Radiosurgery, a minimally invasive (bloodless) operation, is sometimes used.

Numbness due to diabetes mellitus, is eliminated after a course of treatment of the underlying disease. Injections or tablets are prescribed to normalize insulin levels, which eliminates dry mouth, thirst and loss of sensitivity.

Depending on the cause of numbness in the tip, root, or sides of the tongue, treatment may include alternative medicine methods. Rinses and compresses can significantly improve the condition and speed up the restoration of sensitivity.

Common Recipes traditional medicine, used for diseases of the oral cavity:

A spoonful of soda and 4 drops of iodine dissolve in a glass warm water. Rinsing is done daily, morning and evening.
If the cause of numbness in the mouth is a disorder nervous system, the use of chamomile and sage in therapy is effective. In addition to pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, plants have a calming effect. Two tablespoons of dry herb are brewed with a glass of boiling water, the decoction is infused for 15 minutes. The resulting infusion is used for daily rinsing of the mouth and for oral administration: take 1 tablespoon.
A tablespoon of St. John's wort and the same amount of celandine are poured into a glass of boiling water and infused for about 30 minutes. The resulting infusion should be used to rinse your mouth morning and evening.
You can fight lost sensitivity of the tongue with the help of garlic. To do this, take a garlic clove and roll it in your mouth. The procedure should be done as often as possible. After using garlic, apply a compress with sea buckthorn oil to the tongue, which will prevent possible irritation of the mucous membrane.
Dried femoral grass is poured with a glass of water, brought to a boil, and then boiled for about 5 minutes. The broth must be filtered and cooled. Rinsing is done twice a day, after which 1 tablespoon of infusion is taken orally.

Numbness of the tongue is a sign of a serious pathology, and not a separate disease. It is important to determine the root cause that caused the loss of organ sensitivity, and only a doctor can do this. Therefore, it is necessary to contact a therapist as soon as possible, who, after carrying out the necessary diagnostic measures, will redirect the patient to the right specialist. Timely identification of the cause of numbness and timely treatment will help prevent the development of the underlying disease and possible complications.

Numbness of the tongue

The tongue is an unpaired muscular organ located in the oral cavity.

Paresthesia is a tingling sensation due to a violation of the sensitivity of a certain area (in this case we are talking about the tongue).

Doctors classify numbness of the tongue as one of the types of paresthesias.

Brain aneurysm;

Syphilis;

Migraine;

Sarcoidosis;

Preeclampsia;

Alcohol abuse.
Glossalgia.
Hypoglycemia.
Depression.

Disease of teeth and gums

Appointment with a neurologist

The tongue goes numb - what diseases can this mean?

How often do people ignore strange symptoms in their body, hoping that it will soon go away on its own. And in some cases they commit unacceptable negligence, as, for example, in a situation where the tongue goes numb.

Indeed, in some cases this may be a sign of non-life-threatening conditions, but sometimes delay can be fatal. So why does this happen and is it worth sounding the alarm when your tongue suddenly goes numb?

Numbness of the tongue different people it is felt in its own way: some get goosebumps, some feel a slight tingling or burning sensation, some may experience numbness in their tongue and lips, and some completely lose the sensitivity of their tongue. In any case, such strangeness of his “behavior” should alert you, especially if it does not go away for a long time or is regularly repeated.

A single case of tongue numbness is definitely not a cause for concern, but if it repeats regularly and lasts for a long time, then it is better not to delay a visit to the doctor

In some cases, to understand why your tongue becomes numb, it is enough to remember what you did the day before. Eg:

You could have your tooth treated. Quite often, after a visit to the dentist and anesthesia, a person may experience numbness in the tongue. After all, the roots of the teeth border quite closely with the nerve endings of the tongue, so the doctor could accidentally press or damage his nerve. Usually the discomfort goes away after a couple of days, in the worst case it can last a couple of months.
You may have abused alcohol or nicotine. Due to the fact that nicotine is a vasoconstrictor, tongue numbness may occur after smoking. It is best, of course, to give up nicotine or try to reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke.
This could be a simple burn from a hot drink or food. Or if you accidentally get alkali or acid into your mouth.
If you are allergic, the condition could be triggered by an allergen. The condition can be triggered by anything - a food or drink, alcohol, toothpaste or even a brush or chewing gum.
This may be a consequence of taking medications. Sometimes the body can react this way to antibiotics or other medications. As a rule, to normal state the tongue returns within a few days. But if such a side effect occurs, you should definitely consult with your doctor about replacing the drug with another one.
You might have been nervous. Quite rarely, but still there are cases when, due to stress, irritability, restless sleep or depression, a person experiences numbness of the tongue.
Maybe someone bit you. When bitten by a poisonous spider or snake, paresthesia may occur - numbness of the face, limbs, tongue; In addition, the person's heart rate increases, dizziness and drowsiness occur.
There are not enough or too many minerals in the body.
You took steroid hormones. During the process of taking them they may disappear taste sensations, and hair may appear above the upper lip, stretch marks may appear on the stomach and buttocks, and body weight may increase.
It could also be adulthood. Due to violation hormonal levels in women, for example, during menopause, the mucous membrane becomes thinner, the epithelium is renewed more slowly - this explains why the tip of the tongue sometimes goes numb.
Or pregnancy. Sometimes this happens when the pregnancy reaches one week. In this way, a woman’s body reacts to increased blood pressure and swelling.

During pregnancy, this can happen once, since the woman’s body is constantly restructuring, swelling occurs, and blood pressure rises.

However, in addition to harmless reasons, there are others that can be dangerous to health if you do not seek help from a specialist in time. Numbness of the tongue may be one of the symptoms:

Migraines with aura. This rather rare disease most often affects people prone to depression and stress. They have a disturbance in the functioning of their sense organs - they can see flashes of light or stripes, hear some sounds, feel unpleasant odors; There may be problems with speech, numbness in the fingertips, and a tingling sensation in the tongue.
Diabetes mellitus. Since this is a disease of the endocrine system responsible for the production of insulin, diabetes disrupts various metabolic processes in the body (from carbohydrate to water-salt). Because of this, dry mouth occurs, a person is tormented by constant thirst, trembling in the hands and partial loss of sensitivity of the tongue.
Hypoglycemia. A fairly common occurrence in patients with diabetes is when the upper lip becomes numb due to irregularities in insulin intake. This happens due to a decrease in the level of glucose in the blood when it is below 3 mmol/l. With hypoglycemia, a person experiences weakness, a feeling of acute hunger, he breaks into a cold sticky sweat, his hands begin to tremble, and parts of the body and face go numb. This condition is quite unpleasant, but it can be quickly corrected by measuring the level of glucose in the blood, and then eating 20 g of foods that increase it - this could be honey, sugar, caramel or fruit juice. If symptoms of hypoglycemia recur frequently, you should consult your doctor about the dosage of the drug, by adjusting which you can eliminate the problem.
Angioedema. Everyone knows hives. Sometimes, along with it, damage to the deeper layers of the skin occurs, and the person begins to suffer not only from redness and raised rashes, but also from swelling various parts body, reduction or loss of sensitivity, tingling, etc. This is angioedema, or Quincke's edema, in which the limbs, ears, lips, and genitals swell. If the larynx swells, the condition becomes life-threatening because the person may simply suffocate. This is an autoimmune disease, and the attack can be triggered by contact with an allergen. In order to determine what causes such a reaction, a special analysis is carried out.

If the symptoms are long-lasting and recur, go to the doctor immediately

After identifying the provocateur, the person is prescribed antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, hormonal, and diuretic drugs. However, even without treatment, the swelling lasts for a couple of days, and the test goes away along with unpleasant symptoms. As a rule, a relapse of the disease lasts 2-3 years, and then the body heals itself.

People suffering from this scourge should always have corticosteroid and antihistamines in their medicine cabinet to help stop the attack.

VSD. In fact, this disease does not exist as such, it’s just that in our medicine this is what we call a set of symptoms characteristic of human psychological disorders - anxiety or depression. As a rule, they are accompanied by severe sweating, tremors, excitability, rapid heartbeat, tingling and numbness of the limbs, face, discomfort in any organ (pathology is not confirmed), and hypochondriacal moods. Making this diagnosis is possible only after consulting a doctor and excluding other pathologies. Treatment usually involves visiting a psychologist and taking antidepressants.

Cervical osteochondrosis. As a result of this pathology, the sensitivity of the nerves of the tongue decreases, which limits its mobility. In some cases, people with this disease even change their voice, becoming rougher.

Stroke. As a rule, this condition is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, acute headache, paresthesia of the lips, tongue and limbs. In this case, delay can cost life - the person needs to be provided with emergency medical care, an ambulance should be called.

Anemia. With a lack of vitamin B12 and iron in the body, a person may experience paresthesia of the fingers and toes, and may lose balance when walking.

Poisoning heavy metals(mercury, zinc, lead, cobalt, tin).

Multiple sclerosis. This disease can cause numbness in many other parts of the body.

Bell's palsy. The disease is characterized by dysfunction of the facial nerves, accompanied by loss of sensation in the cheeks, face, lips and tongue.

Glossalgia. A disease of the tongue in which a burning, tingling, or numbness is felt for no apparent reason. Glossalgia is a secondary manifestation of an underlying disease, or occurs as a result of trauma to the mouth with dentures or after dental procedures.

Facial, jaw, cervical trauma, as well as hemorrhage resulting from brain damage.

Oral candidiasis. With this disease, a person’s tongue becomes covered with a whitish coating, and if you try to remove it, you can cause bleeding in parts of the tongue. The disease is difficult to tolerate because it is very difficult for a person to chew and eat food.

Brain tumors. Numbness of the tongue is not the main symptom, but still occurs with this disease. Most often, the course of the disease is accompanied by severe headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, low blood pressure and body temperature. Such symptoms should raise suspicion of cancer. When diagnosing, the doctor must exclude, first of all, the presence of space-occupying formations in the neck and head.

Hypothyroidism. With a lack of hormones thyroid gland it is likely that paresthesia of the tongue will develop.

Lyme disease. The disease, caused by the bite of an infected tick, is characterized by disruption of nerve conduction.

A lot of diseases, including truly life-threatening ones, have a similar symptom in their description, so it’s definitely not worth “joking” with such symptoms

As you can see, there can be a lot of reasons that cause this symptom, and without a proper examination one can only guess about them. Often people ignore this phenomenon, not realizing that numbness of the tongue can be a symptom of a dangerous disease. Therefore, if this is not related to dental treatment or allergies, and the phenomenon is regular, do not delay your visit to the doctor and do not self-medicate. Go to a therapist. If necessary, he will give a referral to a neurologist, endocrinologist, psychiatrist, or dentist. And, of course, he will collect anamnesis and prescribe a number of necessary tests.

Source: tongue, loss of sensitivity, complete or partial, indicates disorders in the human body. They can concern only one organ or signal a disease in which the conduction of nerve impulses is disrupted.

The following reasons are typical for loss of sensitivity:

chemical burn;
thermal burn;
mechanical damage to the organ;
tooth extraction (most often a wisdom tooth);
local allergic reaction;
use of unsuitable toothpastes and rinses;
age-related changes in women;
pregnancy.

Very often, the cause of tongue numbness is tobacco smoking, which negatively affects the nerve endings in the mouth. Source: flickr (Stepan Nesmiyan).

The loss of sensation in any organ itself is called paresthesia. These causes, associated with mechanical damage, relate to ordinary paresthesia, in which the transmission of nerve impulses, the so-called leakage, is temporarily disrupted. But, if the nervous system is affected, then paresthesia occurs without any visible disturbances or damage and is called chronic.

Nerve conduction disorders occur in the following diseases and conditions:

infectious nerve damage;
tumor lesion;
stroke;
neurodegenerative damage;
autoimmune process;
a consequence of diabetes mellitus;
consequence of alcoholism;
metabolic disease;
lack of important vitamins;
cervical osteochondrosis;
after suffering from chicken pox.

In these conditions, desensitization of the oral cavity may not be the only symptom. If the nervous system is affected, tingling sensations and loss of sensation often occur along the peripheral nerves of various organs.

Important. Numbness of the tongue is not an independent disease; there is always a causative factor that leads to disruption of nerve conduction.

The process of numbness of a muscle organ can occur immediately or increase gradually. Also, either only the tip of the tongue loses sensitivity, or numbness occurs under this organ, on the sides.

If the tip of the tongue goes numb after eating, this may indicate an allergic reaction; if a larger area of the organ is affected, then this may be glossalgia, which is a functional disorder. It often manifests itself due to disorders in the autonomic nervous system.

Infectious, vascular diseases of a systemic nature can lead to loss of sensitivity. It is very important to determine what caused it in order, firstly, to carry out therapy correctly, and secondly, to block a possible serious disease at an early stage.

When the glossopharyngeal nerve is damaged, the root of the tongue becomes numb or sensation loss occurs on one side of the organ. In addition, salivation will be impaired, pain will appear in the ear, oral organs, and tonsils. Nerve damage, in turn, is caused by injuries, infections, and tumors.

Loss of sensitivity on the sides of the organ or only on one side may indicate osteochondrosis, which means that a nerve has been compressed in the cervical spine. To others possible reasons relate:

laryngeal cancer;
touching a nerve during tooth extraction or other operations in the oral cavity;
laryngeal carcinoma.

Psychogenic disorders also provoke paresthesia on both sides of the tongue. This alarming condition can be accompanied by several symptoms:

sweating;
dizziness;
discomfort in the solar plexus area.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine the diagnosis.

For diagnosis and timely assistance, you should visit a neurologist or psychotherapist.

To eliminate the symptom and treat the pathology at a deeper level, you can turn to homeopathy.

Homeopathic treatment should be started after a correct diagnosis has been made. It is important to remember that numbness of the tongue is just a symptom that indicates a disease. Homeopathic treatment is prescribed based on many factors:

psycho-emotional state,
the patient's appearance,
reactions of his body,
what symptoms accompany the disease.

When assigning, it is taken into account constitutional type. Homeopathy treats not the disease, but the person - this is one of its basic principles.

Moreover, even with the same diagnosis, each patient is prescribed an individual drug. This individual approach ensures the effectiveness of treatment. Homeopathy can be used in complex treatment as an auxiliary method.

The following medications are intended for the treatment of anxiety disorders, VSD, and increased nervous excitability:

Nervoheel is a composite homeopathic drug that acts as a sedative, usually used as part of complex therapy, as additional remedy with medicinal alopathic therapy. The drug helps with seizures and depression.
Barita carbonicum (Barium carbonicum) is a drug that is equally suitable for the elderly and adolescents. Can help people suffering from nervous disorders and circulatory disorders.

Strontiana carbonica - used for cervical osteochondrosis, which may cause tongue numbness.
Traumeel S is a composite homeopathic medicine for diseases of bones and joints, osteochondrosis and neuralgia.

As a symptomatic drug:

Natrium muraticum - prescribed for tingling in the tongue, lips and nose.
Cocculus indicus - for numbness of the face and tongue as well.
Rheum palmatum - numbness of the tongue.
Gwako (Micania guaco) - tongue paresis.
Laurocerasus (Laurocerasus officinalis) - “wooden” tongue. A burning sensation in the tongue when the tongue feels cold.
Natrium muriaticum - numbness and even tingling, burning sensation, feeling like there is hair on the tongue.

Source: - this is an unpaired muscular organ located in the oral cavity.

Its position depends on the function it will perform. The process of chewing and swallowing is carried out with the help of the tongue. Thanks to the large number of receptors on the mucous membrane of the organ, a person can distinguish tastes. Moreover, a separate area of the tongue is responsible for a specific taste stimulus. Well, an important role of this body is participation in communication.

As a rule, numbness of the tip of the tongue or the entire tongue is not an independent disease. This is only a symptom of some underlying diagnosis, which can increase gradually and be accompanied by a number of other symptoms. Therefore, in order to begin treatment and rid yourself of unpleasant discomfort, you should find the main cause and eliminate it.

Doctors classify numbness of the tongue as one of the types of paresthesias.

Nervous, depressive state as a cause of tongue numbness

A symptom in which the tongue and lips go numb may be a consequence of diseases such as:

Diabetes mellitus (dry mucous membranes, development of neuropathy - cause of numbness);

Stroke (the brain is affected; speech impairment, long-term headache with accompanying numbness of half the body, drooping corner of the mouth; loss of coordination; consciousness is depressed; tests show a violation of the coagulation system; CT, MRI are recommended);

stroke as a cause of numbness of the tongue and lips

Hypothyroidism (lack of thyroid hormones, consultation with an endocrinologist);

Lyme disease (as a result of a tick bite);

Multiple sclerosis (all parts of the body become numb, the tongue is no exception);

Brain aneurysm;

Bell's palsy (the whole face goes numb);

Bell's palsy as a cause of numbness of the tongue and lips

Spinal cord cancer (local pain, decrease in all blood counts);

Brain tumor (compression of various parts of the brain - the cause of numbness).

The main complaints about numbness of the tip of the tongue are:

Heavy smokers often complain of numbness in the tip of the tongue.
People receiving chemotherapy.
If the body lacks vitamin B12.
Damage to the glossopharyngeal nerve.
Side effects of medications.
Heavy metal poisoning.
Alcohol abuse.
Glossalgia.
Hypoglycemia.
Depression.
Excess or deficiency of minerals in the body.

Depression as a cause of tongue numbness

Quite often the tongue and lips go numb at the same time. Numbness of the lips occurs as a consequence of sensory impairment. But this is not the main problem, but becomes only a consequence of the underlying disease. You can only guess on your own which specialist you need to go to, and in no case can you make an accurate diagnosis yourself and prescribe treatment for yourself.

Lips go numb for the following reasons:

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine. As a result of compression of the spinal cord, blood circulation is disrupted and thereby the nutrition of the organs is disrupted. Numbness of the lips appears.
Neuritis of the facial nerve. Inflammation of the facial nerve leads to disruption of impulse transmission to the facial muscles and can be complicated by facial paralysis. You urgently need to consult a doctor to prevent such a dangerous picture.
Lack of vitamin B. Lack of this vitamin leads to disorders of the nervous system. A large amount of this vitamin is found in: bread, nuts, bran, liver, meat, potatoes.
High or very low blood pressure. Then not only the lips become numb, but also the upper ones, lower limbs. Life threatening. Call urgently ambulance need to.
Diabetes. One of its symptoms is numbness of the lips, clammy sweat, weakness, and trembling hands. By adjusting your blood glucose levels, the numbness will go away. You can eat honey, sugar, candy. If attacks recur frequently, insulin dosage should be discussed with your doctor.
Allergy to the use of a new medicine. Quincke's edema causes swelling of parts of the body, including the lips. The cause often remains unclear. Edema is a terrible swelling of the larynx; difficulty breathing can lead to asphyxia. If an attack has occurred in your life, then you should always carry antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids with you to relieve this condition.
Migraine. As a consequence of nervous breakdowns and constant worries, it leads to disruption of the nervous system. Headache occurs half an hour after numbness, then the limbs go numb. Numbness is a kind of aura before a headache. There are no significant changes in the analyses. An increased content of potassium, magnesium, reduced loads and good dream. Avoid foods that trigger migraines: wine, cheese, sweets.
Disease of teeth and gums. If before the numbness of the lips there was pain in the teeth or gums, then, most likely, this is due to problems in the teeth. You need to see a dentist.

Disease of teeth and gums

9. Multiple sclerosis. It is with numbness that this disease begins. Nervous tissue cells in the body begin to be affected. Only a neurologist can help in this case.

10. Shingles. Its typical onset is itching, redness and numbness. If there is still a burning sensation in the cheek area, then this is one hundred percent shingles.

11. Bell's palsy. It affects the entire face, but the lips and eyebrows are affected first. The disease is preceded by some viral diseases(ARVI, simple herpes virus). Tingling and numbness are characteristic of this disease. May go away on its own. If treated, a course of antibiotics and antiviral drugs is prescribed. Rarely, but the appearance of inflammatory markers in the blood is possible. Facial gymnastics is necessary. The recovery process takes up to a year. In severe cases, CT and MRI examinations are recommended.

12. Infection of various etiologies, in which the nerves are affected. Very often, complications after meningitis or herpes are nerve damage with the leading syndrome being numbness.

Lack of vitamin B as a cause of numb lips

As we found out, there are quite a few reasons for numbness of the tongue and lips. After this article, you can already decide which specialist you need to contact. If you cannot associate your numbness, which torments you periodically, with any of these diseases, then you need to contact a neurologist. And you shouldn’t delay this.

Appointment with a neurologist

Do not worry if numbness occurs as a result of prolonged exposure to very cold, after anesthesia, or lying on the lip for a long time. And at the same time there are no more complaints, and there never were.

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Source: Tongue Numbness

Numbness as a phenomenon in the scientific literature is called paresthesia, which means “loss of sensitivity.” Surprisingly, people experience their language differently:

someone gets “goosebumps”;

What to do?

As is already clear from the above, numbness of the tongue is a problem that can have many causes, so diagnosing patients is very difficult. Often people do not seek help in the first days because they do not attach much importance to tongue numbness and do not even realize that paresthesia is a side symptom of many serious diseases. This problem cannot be left unresolved.

You should be scheduled for a complete body check, including a cardiovascular examination, a blood test to detect diabetes, and in rare cases, a tomography of the brain, neck and spine. Treatment is prescribed only after passing through the necessary specialists, so in no case should you take any medications yourself, or ignore paresthesia.

Source: tongue is scientifically called paresthesia. This organ rarely suffers from such a deviation, but it can indicate serious diseases occurring in the body.

There are many reasons that cause tongue numbness, so it is worth covering all possible situations.

Numbness of the tongue manifests itself in different ways depending on individual characteristics and the reasons that caused paresthesia. The following symptoms are identified:

feeling of “running goosebumps”;
showing at the tip of the tongue;
complete loss of sensation on one side or throughout the tongue.

As a rule, these symptoms are not capable of causing any harm to the human body unless they are accompanied by swelling. Otherwise, immediate action must be taken as there is a risk of suffocation.

There are many situations that can cause tongue numbness. Most often paresthesia is caused by:

A dental procedure in which anesthesia is administered and surgery is performed. The nerve of the tongue is located close to the roots of the teeth, so it is easy to touch during treatment. If this happens, the numbness of the tongue persists even after the anesthesia wears off. But this phenomenon is not dangerous, since the nerve tends to recover on its own, you just need to wait a couple of weeks.
Anemia, due to which there is a low level of hemoglobin in the blood. As a rule, this indicates the development of serious diseases of the circulatory system, so it is worth visiting a specialist.
Diabetes mellitus. The disease affects endocrine system, insulin production decreases, this affects the body's metabolism and acid-base balance.
Reaction to application medicines. Some strong drugs have tongue paresthesia as a side effect. If this happens, it is better to contact the doctor who prescribed the treatment and ask, if possible, to change the drug;
Osteochondrosis. The disease is serious, so it is better to start treatment at an early stage, which is indicated by numbness of the tongue. First, damage to the intervertebral disc tissue is observed, and only later to the spine.
Cardiovascular diseases in particular, numbness of the tongue can signal a stroke.

There are unilateral and bilateral numbness of the tongue, each of which will help determine the cause of paresthesia.

Unilateral is associated with nerve damage, this often happens when teeth are removed, especially sevens and eights.

Bilateral numbness is caused by more serious problems:

Stroke. Which often happens on nervous soil as a result of severe stress shocks. Sometimes there are no changes in well-being, the mood remains elevated, but taste sensations and sensitivity of the tongue decrease.
Throat cancer can also cause a numb tongue. Along with this symptom, there is a sore throat and difficulty swallowing. The disease has not yet been studied well, but more often it manifests itself in smokers, people who abuse alcohol and live in areas with poor ecology.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can be caused by Addison-Biermer disease, which causes pernicious anemia. With this pathology, the tongue not only goes numb, but there is a phenomenon of its varnishing, as if it had been scalded by boiling water. To avoid this disease, you need to eat a balanced diet.

Non-hazardous causes of tongue numbness

The tongue is an extremely sensitive organ, and this applies not only to taste zones, but also to a pronounced reaction to tactile sensations. Numbness of the organ is immediately noted by the person. In most cases, if the phenomenon is temporary and does not recur with a certain frequency, its cause is not dangerous. Possible non-pathological sources of numbness include:

Numbness (paresthesia) of the tongue due to diseases

If numbness of the tongue is not an isolated case, but common problem, causing significant discomfort, then, most likely, the cause of this condition is more serious than simply taking pills or exposure to temperature.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is an endocrinological disease and involves disruptions in the process of glucose absorption and metabolic disorders in the body as a whole. Numbness in these patients often occurs in the arms, legs, and tongue. Paresthesia of the tongue is formed under the influence of one of the manifestations of the disease:

swelling and increased dryness of the mucous membrane. One of the main symptoms of diabetes is increased dryness of the mucous membranes in the mouth, which is associated with destructive changes in the salivary glands. Against this background, the tongue is one of the first to suffer - it becomes rough, injured, dries out, and this directly affects its sensitivity. Episodes of numbness in this case usually affect the entire organ, are described by a feeling of tingling and crawling, and are temporary, albeit recurring;
disorders of the nervous system due to elevated blood sugar levels. Changes in the reactions of the lingual nerve can cause partial or complete loss of sensation, which persists for a long time or on a permanent basis. The paroxysmal form of the problem is often common; episodes occur in the morning or late in the evening;
a sharp decrease in blood sugar levels, hypoglycemia. In addition to numbness and tingling of the tongue, when a crisis occurs, a strong feeling of hunger, general weakness, outbursts of aggression, increased blood pressure, dizziness, and confusion occur.

Numbness of the tongue in the case of diabetes mellitus is not treated separately, but goes away as the main problem - elevated glucose levels - is neutralized. For patients with the first type of the disease (insulin-dependent), lifelong constant injections of insulin are required, and treatment of type 2 diabetes (non-insulin-dependent) involves hormonal therapy. Additionally, all patients are prescribed a diet excluding indigestible fats, sugar and baked goods. If there is a suspicion of the onset of a hypoglycemic crisis, emergency medical attention is required, and in cases with dry mucous membranes and destructive changes in nerve sensitivity, an endocrinologist can be contacted, if possible, to adjust the basic therapy. Usually, if the treatment is chosen correctly, unpleasant symptoms does not occur in the form of numbness of the tongue or limbs.

Glossalgia

The term “glossalgia” refers to a complex of sensations (burning, tingling, itching) that are not accompanied by visual changes in the tongue. The sensations can arise gradually (almost imperceptible at first, but gradually intensify) or abruptly. In most cases, it all starts with the tongue, but then spreads further - to the cheeks, palate, lips, etc. Sources of sensitivity disorders can be:

For nervous system problems more value localization of sensations acquires:

if the root of the tongue becomes numb, then first of all the glossopharyngeal nerve is checked;
if there is a change in sensitivity on the sides or at the tip of the organ, the lingual nerve is suspected.

All described conditions require correction. When contacting a neurologist, a set of examinations will be prescribed to identify the real reason changes in tongue sensitivity:

examination and sanitation (health improvement) of the oral cavity;
visiting a gastroenterologist, endocrinologist;
magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, etc.

If nerve function disorders are detected, injections of B vitamins (Milgamma, Neurobion), anticonvulsants (Finlepsin, Difenin) and iron supplements can be prescribed. Additionally, physiotherapy methods are used, in particular ultrasound therapy, medicinal electrophoresis and laser puncture.

Cervical osteochondrosis

A disease of the musculoskeletal system, implying dystrophic changes in cartilaginous elements, including the spinal column. The discs between the vertebrae are compressed and destroyed, thereby limiting the functionality of the department and causing a number of unpleasant symptoms (pain, burning, tingling). With the development of a degenerative process in the cervical spine, the symptoms expand, since in this area there is a large number blood vessels and nerves. When they are compressed, the following may be observed:

headache;
violation of movement coordination;
deterioration of hearing and vision;
changes in the sensitivity of the soft tissues of the face.

Numbness of the tongue is a signal of compression of the branches of the radicular nerve, and the sensation will not have a specific localization on the organ. With this problem, sensitivity may further worsen and disappear on the scalp, lips, ears, and sometimes numbness spreads to the entire head.

With osteochondrosis of the cervical spine due to destruction intervertebral discs compression of nerves and blood vessels occurs, which impairs the sensitivity of the head and tongue in particular

Regardless of the scale of the problem, it is dangerous, since prolonged compression of nerves and blood vessels leads to their traumatization, and this can make the symptoms chronic and lead to serious complications, for example, the development of a stroke. Diagnosing the problem involves:

examination by a neurologist. The specialist listens to complaints, palpates the neck area to identify muscle tension and pain;
X-ray of the cervical spine to visualize the condition of the spinal column.

Numbness of the tongue due to osteochondrosis cannot be treated separately; the symptom goes away on its own when its cause is eliminated. As part of therapy, the following are prescribed:

massage of the collar area;
reflexology (acupuncture);
therapeutic exercises for neck muscles.

All this helps strengthen the muscle corset, relieve excess tension, and improve blood circulation. To neutralize pain and improve tissue nutrition, medications can be prescribed (painkillers Oxadol, Analgin, Tramal, chondroprotectors Rumalon, Chondroxide).

Video: therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Stroke

Stroke as a disease of the cardiovascular system implies an acute disruption of the blood supply to the brain with the appearance of neurological symptoms. In addition to changes in sensitivity and numbness of the tongue combined with slurred speech, symptoms of the disease are:

numbness on one side of the face with drooping of the corner of the eye and lip (a crooked smile is formed);
numbness or paralysis of one side of the body;
impaired coordination;
depression of consciousness and inability to answer simple questions.

With a stroke, there is a loss of sensitivity on one side of the face with drooping of the edge of the lip, eye, and numbness of the tongue.

A stroke is a critical condition that requires immediate medical attention. The cause of the circulatory disorder is eliminated (this may require surgery), after which maintenance therapy and rehabilitation are carried out to restore sensitivity and coordination in the body (a course of neuroprotectors, anticoagulants is prescribed to prevent the formation of new blood clots, nootropics to stimulate metabolic processes).

Other causes of paresthesia of the tongue

In addition to those already listed, other reasons can cause numbness of the tongue:

stress and psychological illnesses (in particular depression). Increased anxiety, excessive worries, lack of proper sleep - all this negatively affects the nervous system, overloading it, therefore, against the background of dizziness, headaches, increased sweating, rapid heartbeat and weakness, numbness of the tongue appears on a temporary or permanent basis. For treatment, it is necessary to visit a psychotherapist and take the antidepressants prescribed by him (Fluoxetine, Clomipramine, Bethol, etc.);
Treatment of depression is a long process, so you should not count on quick results. The average duration of a depressive episode is 6–8 months, with medication continued for another 10–12 months after recovery. A visit to a psychotherapist is mandatory throughout the course.
allergic reaction. In some cases, the immune response to the allergen affects the deep layers of the skin and mucous membranes, causing tingling and loss of sensitivity, swelling of the tongue and larynx, forming the dangerous condition of Quincke's edema. When such a diagnosis is established, the doctor prescribes complex treatment with antihistamines, anti-inflammatory, diuretics and hormonal drugs- all this allows you to neutralize the allergen, relieve swelling and prevent the development of asphyxia;
injuries in the face, jaw, neck. If these areas are mechanically damaged, the nerves responsible for the sensitivity of the tongue can be affected and injured, which can become a permanent problem. Treatment is carried out by doctors by restoring tissue integrity. In case of fractures, a period of rehabilitation with special gymnastics may be required to restore mobility and sensitivity;
pernicious anemia, or malignant anemia (impaired hematopoiesis due to a lack of vitamin B12). Such a deficiency negatively affects the state of the nervous system, and one of the first symptoms is numbness of the tongue. It also changes appearance- it becomes smooth and shiny. Other symptoms: increased fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, increased heart rate, pale skin, pain in the tongue and difficulty swallowing. This problem is most often eliminated by correcting the diet with additional intravenous administration of the missing vitamin;
Bell's palsy, or idiopathic neuropathy of the facial nerve. Numbness of the tongue is combined with loss of sensitivity in half of the face and is usually a consequence of a viral infection (flu, herpes). The prognosis for treatment is favorable; in addition to antiviral therapy, special exercises are performed to normalize facial sensitivity; Bell's palsy is a facial nerve disorder that causes sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face.

The left side of the tongue goes numb. Tongue and palate go numb: causes, treatment, possible consequences

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Main reasons for development

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Symptomatic picture

Reasons for violation

Reasons for unilateral violation

If the whole tongue is frozen...

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Diseases that cause the entire tongue or the tip of the tongue to go numb?

VIDEO Bell's palsy. What causes half of your face to go numb?

Everyday reasons why the tongue goes numb

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How does tongue numbness affect the sense of taste?

In what cases should you go to a doctor and which one?

How to prevent your tongue from going numb?

The tongue goes numb - what diseases can this mean?

What to do?

Non-hazardous causes of tongue numbness

Numbness (paresthesia) of the tongue due to diseases

Diabetes

Glossalgia

Cervical osteochondrosis

Video: therapeutic exercises for cervical osteochondrosis

Stroke

Other causes of paresthesia of the tongue

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