Numbness in the tongue

Numbness of the tongue is a rare form of paresthesia, a disturbance of sensitivity in any part of the body, which is accompanied by unpleasant tingling sensations in it.

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Causes tongue numbness

The causes of tongue numbness can be very different: from the aggravation of some diseases to the incorrect use of medications. Therefore, it is necessary to first determine the type of disease: chronic numbness or transient. The latter usually goes away on its own and occurs after mechanical irritation (pressure or impact). But chronic numbness of the tongue must be treated. The main causes of this disease can be called:

1. Side effects of medications. Some medications irritate the nerves that are located at the tip of the tongue. This condition is usually caused by antibiotics.
2. A disease called "glossalgia" which affects the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. With glossalgia there is also a noticeable sensory neurosis.
3. Peculiarities of each individual organism, which may manifest with age. Numbness of the tongue may develop against the background of thinning of the mucous membrane, dysfunction of the thyroid gland or problems with the vasomotor system. Usually manifests itself in women during climate change.
4. When a person suffers from iron deficiency anemia.
5. Allergic reaction to medications, food products.
6. Sometimes paresthesia can occur due to depression and stress.
7. After the fifteenth week of pregnancy.
8. Some diseases: diabetes, stroke, multiple sclerosis, hypothyroidism, Lyme disease, aneurysm, syphilis, spinal cord cancer, Bell's palsy.

Pathogenesis

Some bad habits can also be the cause of frequent manifestations of tongue numbness (drug use, smoking, alcoholism). Remember that this disease itself never manifests itself, but comes from an external factor or another disease.

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Symptoms tongue numbness

Numbness of the tongue first begins with a slight unpleasant tingling at its tip. It does not cause any particular problems, so patients are in no hurry to see a doctor. Immediately after this, goosebumps begin to run across the entire surface of the tongue, and only then does complete or partial numbness occur.

Numbness of the tongue during pregnancy

After the fifteenth week of pregnancy, some women begin to experience numbness in their tongue. This usually happens if the expectant mother develops a vitamin B12 deficiency. If this occurs, you should contact your gynecologist, who will prescribe vitamins that are safe for you.

Stages

There are three levels of intensity of tongue numbness:

1. The patient feels only a slight tingling sensation on the tip or throughout the entire tongue.
2. An unpleasant tingling sensation can be felt across the entire surface of the tongue.
3. The final stage of the disease occurs when the tongue completely loses sensitivity.

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Forms

Numbness of the tip of the tongue

The tip of the tongue usually goes numb for the following reasons:

1. If a person smokes tobacco.
2. With frequent consumption of alcoholic beverages.
3. If the body has a deficiency or excess of certain minerals.
4. When a person is exposed to radiation or undergoes radiotherapy.
5. If the patient has been poisoned by heavy metals.
6. For vitamin B12 deficiency.

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Numbness of the lips and tongue

Numbness of the lips and tongue can occur constantly or periodically and indicates that there are problems in the body. The cause of this disease is a disruption of the nerves in the tongue and lips. They occur after mechanical damage, with vascular or infectious factors:

1. For acute migraine.
2. Bell's palsy.
3. Stroke experience.
4. Anemia (especially if there is a vitamin B12 deficiency).
5. Hypoglycemia.
6. Angioedema.
7. Tumors (both malignant and benign).
8. Depression and other types of disorders.
9. Dental procedures.

Numbness of the tongue after anesthesia

Sometimes after dental procedures, the tongue may remain numb, especially if a large amount of local anesthesia was administered. This is considered normal and will go away over time (when the effect of the injection wears off).

Numbness of the tongue after tooth extraction

In some cases, after the removal of teeth, especially wisdom teeth, paresthesia of the tongue may occur. This phenomenon occurs in 7% of cases. Numbness occurs especially often in elderly patients, as well as in those who suffer from abnormally close placement of teeth to the lingual part of the jaw. If everything goes well, then after anesthesia and tooth extraction, numbness completely ends in 1-10 days. If so-called persistent numbness occurs (that is, paresthesia does not go away for more than a month), you should consult a doctor.

Numbness of the tongue and hands

Typically, such symptoms appear if a person suffers from acute attacks of migraine with aura. In such cases, it is necessary to undergo a full examination by a neurologist, since the reasons may lie in the increased demands of the body on the functionality of the brain.

Headache and numbness of the tongue

If you feel not only numbness of the tongue, but also severe attacks of headache, these may be symptoms of developing hyperinsulinism. Often, patients strongly resemble those who have been intoxicated with alcohol. Also, numbness of the tip and the entire tongue may be present with migraine-like headaches.

Numbness of the tongue and throat

Numbness of the tongue and throat can be caused by malignant tumors in the laryngeal region. With such a disease, patients sometimes have difficulty swallowing, a sore throat appears, as with ARVI, and sometimes the digestive system does not work well.

Sometimes paresthesia of the throat and tongue appears after inflammation of the oral cavity and larynx, especially if they were severe or were not treated in time.

Numbness of the palate and tongue

Paresthesia of the tongue and palate can occur as a result of various injuries and diseases. Sometimes this occurs when taking certain medications. Therefore, before visiting a doctor, you should carefully read the instructions for the medications you are taking or have taken recently. You should also analyze your emotional state. If you were often nervous or had stressful situations, this could cause paresthesia.

Numbness of the mouth and tongue

Such numbness usually occurs after an allergic reaction to food, medication, injections (especially at the dentist), and also after tooth extraction. To prevent the allergy from developing further, it is recommended to stop consuming the products or medications that could have caused it. Usually, after some time (in particular, several days), paresthesia goes away on its own.

Numbness of the face and tongue

Numbness of the face occurs most often if a disease of the vessels or nerves that are located in this area develops. When paresthesia spreads to the tongue, it means that the person is sick with:

1. Bell's palsy, which occurs after infectious diseases such as meningitis or herpes. During this disease, the nerves become inflamed.
2. Multiple sclerosis – the body’s own cells attack and damage the nerves. It is an autoimmune disease. As a result, the protective covering of the nerves becomes thinner and is destroyed.
3. Manifestation of trigeminal neuralgia - develops when the trigeminal nerve is compressed or irritated internally due to tumors, adhesions, dilated veins, inflammation.
4. A stroke occurs when blood vessels rupture and become blocked, preventing adequate oxygen from reaching the brain.
5. If the ophthalmic, mandibular or maxillary nerve has been damaged.

Numbness of half of the tongue

If the tongue is numb on one side, the patient most likely has a damaged lingual nerve. It often happens that patients complain of loss of sensitivity in only one half of the tongue. At the same time, the throat, oral cavity and other parts remain sensitive. This fact should be pointed out when visiting a doctor so that he can make an accurate diagnosis.

Numbness of the tongue with osteochondrosis

Numbness of the tongue is one of the main symptoms of cervical osteochondrosis. This disease has become quite common lately, as it develops in those who sit in front of a computer screen for a long time. Cervical osteochondrosis is a disease that develops against the background of pinching of the spinal nerve endings. Other signs of cervical osteochondrosis are: dizziness and frequent headaches, pain in the chest and arms, shooting pains in the cervical region. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, you should immediately visit a doctor.

Dizziness and numbness of the tongue

Numbness of the tongue is the first sign of a heart attack or stroke. At first, "goosebumps" appear on the tip of the tongue, and then complete paresthesia occurs. To make an accurate diagnosis of dizziness and numbness of the tongue, it is necessary to do an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. Depending on what disease caused it, the doctor prescribes treatment:

1. Vegetative-vascular dystonia: medications that improve blood circulation help (Cavinton, Memoplant, Vitamins B, Sermion).
2. Neurological diseases: vomiting and nausea also often occur.
3. Osteochondrosis: blood pressure increases, pain appears between the shoulder blades.

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Vomiting and numbness of the tongue

Usually, with vegetative-vascular dystonia or panic attack syndrome, numbness of the tongue can be accompanied by severe nausea and vomiting. But only a specialist (neurologist) can make an accurate diagnosis. He should also prescribe treatment, which is not limited to medication, but is complex (massages, special exercises).

Numbness of the root of the tongue

If the root of the tongue goes numb, it can be said that the patient's glossopharyngeal nerve has been damaged or injured. It is this nerve that works in this area and is responsible for it.

Partial numbness of the tongue

If you notice partial numbness of your tongue, you should see a doctor immediately. The fact is that such a disorder is usually a symptom of serious diseases: vegetative-vascular dystonia (when the brain does not receive enough oxygen due to improper blood circulation), vascular pathologies of the brain (including chronic ones), stroke.

Dry mouth and numbness of the tongue

Dry mouth and numbness of the tongue can be symptoms of many quite serious diseases. As a rule, they arise as a result of chronic and some other diseases: diabetes, acute infectious diseases, vitamin deficiency, radiation sickness.

Bitterness in the mouth and numbness of the tongue

Typically, such symptoms appear if a person takes certain medications. Even regular vitamins can cause numbness of the tongue and a bitter taste in the mouth. In such cases, it is recommended to stop treatment and seek help from the doctor who prescribed the drug.

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Numbness of the tongue after eating

If the tongue becomes numb after eating, it may be a common allergic reaction to some foods. But there are cases when the tongue paresthesia remains and also increases when a person eats or talks, causing discomfort. This may be a symptom of glossalgia. Glossalgia is not a disease itself, but a cause of untreated or untreated diseases.

Complications and consequences

If only one side of your tongue is numb, it is considered less dangerous. Here, the matter is most likely in nerve damage. But bilateral numbness is the cause of serious diseases that can develop further if they are not detected in time. That is why you should immediately contact a neurologist if you feel the first symptoms of paresthesia.

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Complications

The main complications after tongue numbness are heart attacks, strokes and the development of benign and malignant tumors. Remember, if you do not visit a doctor in time, this can develop into a serious problem with a risk to health and life.

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Diagnostics tongue numbness

As soon as a person comes to us with the problem of tongue paresthesia, a comprehensive examination begins, which helps to find out the cause of such a pathology.

First, the doctor examines the patient, collects anamnesis, as well as all the information related to the first signs of the disease. The patient also tells what diseases he has recently been treated for and with what. After this, it is necessary to take a general blood test to see if the patient has diabetes. Then a full examination of the cardiovascular system begins. In some cases, additional studies may be needed: magnetic resonance, ultrasound.

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Tests

To get a complete picture, the doctor will ask for a blood test. This study counts the number of all types of blood cells, and also examines their shape and size. A general blood test can determine diabetes, which often causes numbness of the tongue.

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Instrumental diagnostics

1. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most effective method for diagnosing various diseases of the brain and spinal cord, the symptom of which is paresthesia of the tongue.
2. Ultrasound is mechanical vibrations at a very high frequency level. Special ultrasonic emitters are used for this.

Differential diagnosis

A very important point in making a correct diagnosis is a professional examination of the patient by a doctor.

Treatment tongue numbness

Since paresthesia of the tongue is only a symptom, therapy is aimed at eliminating the disease that caused it. As a rule, after diagnosing the disease, the doctor prescribes special vitamin complexes, medications that help improve metabolic processes in the nerves, and physiotherapy procedures also help. Please note that self-treatment in this case is unacceptable, since the patient usually does not know the cause of numbness.

Here everything depends on the diagnosis.

In case of vegetative-vascular dystonia, the main task is to improve blood circulation. For this purpose, various vitamins and minerals are prescribed.

For cervical osteochondrosis, special exercises and massages are recommended.

Laryngeal cancer is another disease that can cause numbness in the tongue, throat, face and mouth. It usually develops in heavy smokers. Treatment is limited to surgery, although it should be combined with medication.

In case of damage to the nerves located in the oral cavity and throat, especially in case of trigeminal neuralgia, both drug treatment (Carbamazepine) and physiotherapeutic and surgical methods (acupuncture, pulsed currents, laser puncture, operations) are used.

Medicines

1. Vitamins that contain B12 - they are used if paresthesia began after a decrease in the amount of this vitamin in the human body (especially during pregnancy). Prescribed individually by a doctor.
2. Carbamazepine is a drug used for trigeminal neuralgia. It helps to slow down neural populations. The course starts with a small dose (one tablet twice a day), but gradually increases. The drug is taken for six to eight weeks. Carbamazepine should not be used by patients with glaucoma, blood diseases, prostatitis.
3. Ambene is a complex remedy for combating cervical osteochondrosis. The ampoules contain cyanocobalamin and phenylbutazone. There are contraindications to the use of Ambene injections: problems with blood vessels and the heart, ulcers of the duodenum or stomach, gastritis, renal or hepatic insufficiency, infectious diseases, allergies and pregnancy. When used, side effects may occur: nausea, vomiting, pain in the stomach, headache, dizziness, anemia, insomnia. The drug is administered intramuscularly. The course includes three injections (every other day).
4. Cavinton is a drug prescribed for vegetative-vascular dystonia. It helps to dilate the blood vessels of the brain. Take one or two tablets three times a day. The course can be quite long (but a doctor's examination is necessary for this). There are practically no side effects, since Cavinton is well tolerated by the body. It cannot be used in cases of coronary heart disease, arrhythmia, and pregnancy.

Folk remedies

1. Take a clove of garlic, put it in your mouth and roll it lightly with your tongue. You can nibble it a little. Do this for ten minutes after eating up to three times a day. Be sure to repeat before bed. After the procedure, apply a warm compress with sea buckthorn oil to your tongue.
2. Many patients get rid of tongue numbness with the help of meditation or yoga.
3. In case of paresthesia of the tongue, it is necessary to adhere to a strict diet. It is very important to exclude spicy, sour and salty foods from your diet at least for some time (2-3 months).

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Herbal Treatment for Tongue Numbness

1. Take a tablespoon of dried sage and a glass of hot boiled water. Repeat the same with dried celandine. Rinse the mouth with the tinctures in turns every day for two months.
2. Take oak bark and add honey to it. Make a tincture so that you can rinse your mouth daily (the more often, the better).
3. Take crushed dried grass of the bedrenets, a glass of water, cook until boiling and then for about five minutes. Strain while hot, cool. Rinse the mouth with the decoction twice a day, then drink 1 tablespoon. Use for three weeks.

Homeopathy

1. Nervohel is a homeopathic medicine used for vegetative-vascular dystonia (which can manifest itself as numbness of the tongue). Due to its composition, Nervohel helps reduce nervous spasms and get out of a depressive state. It is used three times a day before meals. It is not recommended to take it if you have an individual intolerance to the components of the medicine.
2. Stonciana Carbonica is a homeopathic medicine that helps in the treatment of cervical osteochondrosis. It must be diluted depending on the severity of the disease, so you should first consult a doctor.
3. Gelarium Hypericum - has an anxiolytic and antidepressant effect. Take one tablet three times a day during meals. The course lasts up to four weeks. In some cases, vomiting and severe nausea, as well as allergies to the components, may begin after taking. Should not be taken by patients with lactase deficiency, galactosemia.

Surgical treatment

Since tongue numbness is only a symptom and not a separate disease, sometimes serious diseases require surgical intervention. For example, in the case of trigeminal neuralgia, operations are performed only if it is necessary to move the blood vessel that is injuring the nerve. Sometimes, the nerve can be destroyed. Radiosurgery (a bloodless method) is also considered part of the surgical intervention in this case.

In recent years, various methods have been used for throat and larynx cancer, depending on the degree of the disease:

1. Initial (superficial) stages are usually treated with endoscopy. The operation is performed under anesthesia using a laser.
2. Removal of the larynx – if the tumor size is still small.
3. Pharynx removal – usually only part of the organ is removed. Plastic surgery is also performed to restore the pharynx.
4. Dissection – lymph nodes are removed.

Prevention

To effectively prevent attacks of tongue paresthesia, you need to review your daily diet. Eliminate foods that are too spicy or salty. If you experience numbness from an allergic reaction to medication, you should contact your doctor who prescribed them and completely stop taking them.

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Forecast

Here it is immediately worth paying attention to the reason why paresthesia of the tongue appeared. With glossalgia, the outlook is very favorable, especially if treatment is started on time. If the disease is more serious, it can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, at the first signs of numbness, you should immediately consult a doctor.