Best Answering Machine Cracked Tongue
Elli Range
Stick your tongue out in the mirror. Do you see any deep grooves? Would you consider your tongue "cracked" looking? If so, fear not! You may have a common condition known as a fissured tongue. If you're just now noticing that your tongue has some abnormal creases or grooves, it may be the first time you've really considered your tongue.
Aside from good nutrition, adequate hydration, and not smoking, the best thing you can do for your tongue is to practice good oral hygiene habits. Try these tips to help keep your tongue happy and healthy.
A condition known as leukoplakia could also be to blame for white patches on the tongue. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the cause is unknown, but irritation from tobacco or alcohol may be an explanation. A weakened immune system could also be to blame, and age is another risk factor. Leukoplakia usually doesn't lead to permanent damage in the mouth, but it can increase your risk of oral cancer, so it's best to consult a health care provider if you recognize its symptoms.
If you see little fault lines on the tongue body, your body is trying to tell you chill out. A cracked tongue is usually a sign of persistent stress and tension. Most cracks are located around the centerline of the tongue, thought in Ayurvedic medicine to represent the spinal column, another place where stress resides.
Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common cancer related to the oral cavity, making up 90% of all oral cancers. Oral cancer makes up approximately 2% of all cancers in the U.S. It commonly involves the lateral surface of the tongue. Risk factors for SCC are older age (age 40 and up), tobacco use, and alcohol use. In younger individuals, cases of SCC often are associated with human papillomavirus (HPV). In recent years, HPV has been found to contribute more to the incidence rate of oral cancers. SCC clinically presents as a thickened rough surface over a red or white base. Nodules and ulcerations may follow as the growth progresses. In some cases, the tumor will be present at the base of the tongue and will be difficult to detect until it reaches its late stage of development. Treatment for SCC involves a mix of surgical removal, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy. Immunotherapy and gene therapy are examples of newer treatments being investigated. Clinical trials of a new treatment may be a possible option for advanced cancers. Each individual should understand the nature of cancer and the options available for treatment to make the best decisions.
Regarding growths on the tongue, the main concern is oral cancer. Early detection and treatment usually provide the best chance for recovery and survival. The prognosis for oral cancer is dependent upon the stage of cancer, the location of the tumor, and whether cancer has spread to blood vessels. Frequent follow-up and close monitoring are crucial parts of care. Unfortunately, the overall prognosis for oral cancer is generally poor. In the U.S., approximately half of individuals newly diagnosed with oral cancer do not survive after more than five years. Despite advances in treatment with surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, the poor prognosis is due to the cancer being discovered at a later stage in its development.
In TCVM, the tongue is assessed for color, moisture, coating, and shape, and specific locations along the tongue are examined. Tongue color is easily changed by eating (think clover with horses) and forcing the mouth open, so it is best assessed by watching the animal carefully, or if necessary, peeking between the lips to see the tongue without the use of force.
Each animal species has a normal tongue color, and in dogs, this can vary by breed, such as the black tongue seen in the Chow Chow. The normal equine tongue color is pale pink, while carnivores have a darker pink color. Young and healthy animals can provide good examples of normal tongue colors. Just as in veterinary school, it is best to learn the normal first, so abnormal can be recognized. Abnormal tongue colors include paleness, red and deep red, shades of purple or lavender, yellow and black (when not physiologically normal).
Pulse and tongue diagnostics, combined with a medical history and the rest of the physical exam, form the basis of a TCVM Pattern diagnosis, which is then used to determine the best course of treatment, including acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine, food therapy, and Tui-na (Chinese massage techniques) to help bring the body back into balance.
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