Redness of the skin, numbness of the tongue, increased heart rate. Traditional medicine

Sometimes numbness of the tongue and lips can be a short-term phenomenon that goes away very quickly and does not cause any problems. But still, in some cases, this condition may indicate the presence of serious disorders in the body. The reasons for this condition can be very diverse.

How does tongue numbness occur?

Numbness of the tongue (paresthesia) manifests itself in different ways. Sometimes there is a slight and unnoticeable tingling sensation, which does not cause virtually any discomfort. In some cases, a strong tingling sensation occurs, “goosebumps”, and a symptom such as loss of sensitivity progresses. It often happens that in parallel with numbness of the tongue, numbness of the lips also occurs.

In any case, it will not be possible to find out the reasons for the occurrence of such a condition on your own. Only with a thorough examination by specialists can the source of this pathology be detected and proper treatment received.

Causes of paresthesia

The main reasons causing numbness of the tongue:

This condition can be caused by various problems related to the spine This often concerns the cervical spine. In addition, cervical osteochondrosis may be indicated by frequent discomfort in the neck, numbness of the fingers, and decreased vision. It is also necessary to trace in what position the numbness occurs, as this can help to find out the exact causes of the disease.
Thyroid dysfunction often provoke a similar symptom. To find out, you need to undergo examination by an endocrinologist.
Often excessive taking antibiotics causes numbness of the tongue
A disease such as diabetes mellitus leads to dryness of the oral mucosa and becomes the reason for the development of such a pathological condition. Patients often observe, in addition to impaired sensitivity of the tongue, numbness of the lips, especially the upper ones. The reasons for this are low blood glucose levels or improper use of insulin.
Vascular diseases,stroke and heart attack may also affect the development of paresthesia of the tongue. Therefore, do not forget that numbness can be associated with serious illnesses
When removing or treating teeth, the dentist may touch a nerve, which sometimes impairs the sensitivity of the tongue. In this case, there is no need to worry, these symptoms pass quickly
Severe stress and regular worries often become the reason for the development of the above phenomenon
Vitamin B 12 deficiency causes various disorders and disruptions in the body, including numbness of the tongue
In addition to the listed factors, affect the numbness of the tongue and lips maybe toothpaste, which contains low-quality substances or chewing gum. In this case, you must stop using toothpaste and chewing gum.

Numbness of the tip of the tongue and lips

Numbness often affects the tip of the tongue and lips, causing discomfort; the reasons for this are:

Side effect from certain medications in particular, from antibiotics. By damaging nerve endings, they can cause numbness of the entire tongue, as well as its tip and lips.
Some oral diseases and speeches. Often such a disease is glossalgia. It often occurs in women after 40 years of age, causing problems with the digestive system, endocrine disorders, etc.
Age characteristics. For the most part, this applies to women during menopause. This period in the fairer sex is associated with various disruptions and changes in the body, the mucous membrane is disrupted and this often affects the sensitivity of the tip of the tongue, and sometimes the lips.
Various allergic reactions. It is known to be characterized by swelling, sensory disturbances, difficulty breathing, and numbness of the lips and tongue is often observed.
Often numbness of the lips is associated with various mental disorders. At the same time, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, redness of the face, and a feeling of anxiety develop.
Severe numbness of the lips can also lead to high blood pressure, Loss of sensation in the lower extremities may also occur. In this case, you need to take medications that lower blood pressure or, in more complex cases, call a medical team.
Side effects during pregnancy associated with increased blood pressure and swelling.
Poisoning, alcohol and tobacco abuse, radiation.

In addition, numbness of the tip of the tongue and lips can also be observed in certain diseases:

Stroke
Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
Neuritis
Syphilis
Multiple sclerosis
Brain tumors
Malignant tumors of the spinal cord
Bell's palsy
Certain types of migraine.

In addition to the listed diseases, this phenomenon is diagnosed with tumors of the nasopharynx, multiple sclerosis, herpes zoster on the face, with some viral infections, etc.

Diagnosis of these pathologies is possible only in medical centers; in no case can such diseases be treated independently.

Particular attention should be paid to vascular problems, since they are becoming the leading cause of death in the world. In addition to impaired coordination and speech, a patient with a stroke attack is almost always diagnosed with numbness of the lips and tongue, and sometimes paralysis of one part of the face. If the listed signs are observed, you should immediately call an ambulance. Before her arrival, place the patient on a high pillow, provide access to air, and do not use any medications yourself.

Treatment

If numbness of the lips and tongue is observed with cervical osteochondrosis, it is treated with medications, and also includes massage and physical therapy. Regarding this condition with neuritis, the therapeutic course includes: glucocorticoids, vasodilators, vitamins. When such a phenomenon is observed in viral diseases, treatment of the underlying pathology is mandatory.

Multiple sclerosis, which causes numbness of the lips and tongue, is treated with hormone therapy, immunomodulators, and some other drugs. This therapy allows you to cope with this disease and remove numbness.

Allergies can also cause the above condition. In this case, the allergen is determined; for the most part, food products and some medications can cause an allergic reaction. In parallel with this, antihistamines are prescribed.

It must be remembered that almost always numbness of the lips and tongue appears against the background of some ailment, so it is necessary to initially treat the underlying disease.

Numbness of the tongue and lips at first glance seems like a minor problem. But, having found out why this can happen, and if it concerns certain diseases, you should seek medical help, where they will help make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

Numbness of the tongue is not an independent disease. If the tongue becomes numb, the causes of loss of sensitivity are associated with changes in the quality of information coming from the organ’s receptors to the corresponding parts of the cerebral cortex. This sensation disorder is called paresthesia and occurs with vascular, neurological, endocrine diseases, injuries, allergic manifestations, and taking certain medications.

Causes of sensitivity disorders

Paresthesia, which includes numbness of the tongue, can be transient or chronic. The former are usually caused by direct irritation of a superficial nerve or temporary disruption of the blood supply. The latter often arise as symptoms of damage to various parts of the nervous system due to a deficiency of certain vitamins, metabolic disorders, and atherosclerosis.

Causes of temporary loss of sensitivity

A temporary feeling of tingling, numbness not only of the tongue, but also of other parts of the oral cavity can be caused by:

taking medications that contain anesthetics;
improperly administered dental anesthesia;
injury from sharp edges of a tooth or an instrument during dental treatment;
tooth extraction;
surgical intervention in the maxillofacial area;
poorly fitting dentures;
the presence of dissimilar metals and steel solder in bridges;
allergic reaction to toothpaste, chewing gum, food products.

Sensitivity disorders disappear relatively quickly after eliminating the factors that served as the basis for their development.

Causes of prolonged numbness

Paresthesia is considered chronic when numbness of the tongue is permanent or paroxysmal. Numbness and other unpleasant sensations (as if the tongue was sprinkled with pepper, scalded, etc.) often occur without the visible influence of external damaging factors and can affect the mucous membrane of the lips, gums, palate, accompanied by dysfunction of the salivary glands (dry mouth), pain varying intensity, trophic disorders.

Long-term loss of tongue sensitivity is observed in many pathological conditions of the human body:

inflammatory diseases of the stomach, pancreas, gall bladder, liver;
peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
helminthic infestation (ascariasis);
vitamin B12 deficiency;
chronic viral infections (herpes zoster);
osteochondrosis of the cervical spine;
inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses;
diabetes;
chronic alcohol intoxication;
smoking;
autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis).

Primary and secondary nerve lesions

If we generalize the above, then only two groups of etiological factors are formed: primary nerve damage and secondary disorders of the nervous system, which are complications of existing diseases. This explains the variety of reasons, both in quantity and in origin.

Stroke

When the sensitivity of the entire organ is lost, or the tip of the tongue becomes numb, the cause may be a stroke - an acute disruption of the blood supply to the brain. Clinical manifestations of stroke are divided into general cerebral and focal. The first includes confusion, loss of consciousness, headache, nausea, tachycardia, pain in the heart area, the second includes paresis, paralysis, disturbances of sensitivity, vision, speech (the vocal folds of the larynx are affected). Numbness of the tongue is one of the focal symptoms of stroke.

The appearance of focal symptoms depends on the location of the stroke. When diagnosing, it should be taken into account that the listed symptoms appear on the side opposite to the localization of the lesion in the brain: the lesion is in the right hemisphere, which means that the symptoms will appear in the left half of the body, and vice versa.

The influence of hormonal levels on the sensitivity of the tongue

Changes in hormonal levels lead to vascular and trophic disorders of many organs and systems. During pregnancy and menopause, the balance of hormones changes significantly. Numbness of the tongue can occur in late pregnancy due to high blood pressure and swelling. Complaints about changes in sensitivity may appear in women even after menopause. This is due to:

atrophic changes in the oral mucosa;
decrease in the regenerative ability of the epithelium of the mucous membranes;
lability of the nervous system;
dysregulation of autonomic centers;
functional changes in the thyroid gland.

To be fair, it should be noted that such disorders are rarely observed and only during the pathological course of menopause.

Establishing diagnosis

The diagnosis determines the choice of treatment tactics. Such a seemingly insignificant sensitivity disorder as numbness of the tongue can be a sign of a serious illness. Typically, diagnosis begins with a targeted examination by a dentist and includes examination, general clinical and laboratory tests.

If the problem cannot be solved in the dentist’s office, then consultations with a therapist, neurologist, endocrinologist and other doctors may be needed. In addition, it is possible to conduct additional studies:

electroencephalography;
computer, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and/or spinal cord;
Ultrasound of brachiocephalic vessels;
radiography of the spine;
electrocardiography;
Ultrasound of the heart;
fibrogastroduodenoscopy;
biochemical blood test;
psycho-emotional testing.

The specific scope of the examination is determined by a specialized specialist.

Therapeutic measures

Since numbness of the tongue is only a symptom, therapy should be aimed at eliminating the disease that caused it. If you have dental problems, you may need:

sanitation of the oral cavity;
grinding sharp areas of teeth, giving them a rounded shape;
correction or replacement of prostheses;
elimination of dissimilar metals;
normalization of bite and chewing.

In case of chronic paresthesia, normalization of the functions of the body systems is necessary. Treatment is prescribed taking into account the recommendations of a doctor of the appropriate profile, the state of the gastrointestinal tract, the degree of neurological, endocrine and other disorders. Treatment should be comprehensive, with dynamic observation and rehabilitation measures. Physiotherapeutic procedures, vitamin therapy, and drugs that improve blood circulation and tissue trophism are widely used.

If a stroke is suspected, urgent specialized help is required. What you should not do is self-medicate. Even if nothing particularly hurts, but focal symptoms appear, an examination by a neurologist is required.

If factors that provoke the development or worsening of a psycho-emotional state are identified, it is important to eliminate them in a timely manner. Sometimes it is necessary to change the daily routine and normalize sleep. For successful treatment, it is of great importance to explain to the patient the essence of his neuro-functional disease, the influence of somatic pathology on him, an explanation of the causes of exacerbations, and often the need for repeated courses of treatment.

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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.

Why does tongue paresthesia occur?

The main reasons that provoke numbness of the tongue include the negative influence of external factors and diseases, one of the symptoms of which is paresthesia. 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 and deep depression 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 of different forms of glossitis of the tongue

Diabetes mellitus, which occurs as a result of impaired insulin production, leads to a feeling of thirst, dry mouth, and partial loss of tongue sensitivity.
Anemia can cause decreased sensitivity of the oral mucosa, numbness of the extremities, low temperature, pale skin, and poor coordination.
Age-related changes. A woman during menopause experiences hormonal imbalances that can cause tongue numbness.
Oral candidiasis is a disease that is accompanied by pain, plaque formation on the mucous membranes, itching, swelling and partial numbness of the tongue.
Impaired functioning of the facial nerves (Bell's palsy). The pathology is expressed in partial paresthesia.

Paresthesia can be caused by transformations that occur in the body of a pregnant woman.

Determining the cause of tongue numbness by symptom localization

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.

Professional treatment for tongue numbness

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 caused by 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.

Treatment of tongue numbness with folk remedies

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 traditional medicine recipes used for diseases of the oral cavity:

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 is one of the rarest forms of paresthesia. This term refers to a condition characterized by loss of sensation in a certain part of the body, a tingling or crawling sensation.

The cause of transient paresthesia is direct mechanical irritation of a nerve located close to the surface as a result of pressure, shock, or temporary disruption of blood circulation in a specific area. It can lead to poor conduction of nerve impulses.

Chronic paresthesia develops due to damage to the part of the nervous system responsible for the activity of a certain organ.

Why does my tongue go numb?

The tongue can become numb for a number of reasons. Very often, somatic and neurological patients complain of numbness and pain in the tongue. First, you should determine whether paresthesia of the tongue is unilateral or bilateral, as well as the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

The cause of loss of sensitivity of the tongue on one side ( unilateral numbness) may become iatrogenic damage or localized inflammation localized on the posterior lateral surface of the oral cavity.
Bilateral numbness may be caused by psychogenic pain, carcinoma of the upper larynx and some related conditions, as well as pernicious anemia.

Unilateral numbness and pain in the tongue

Loss of sensation on one side of the tongue very often indicates damage to the lingual nerve. This is one of the largest branches of the mandibular nerve. It innervates the anterior part of the tongue, however, in the presence of certain disorders, attention should also be paid to the posterior part, for the innervation of which the glossopharyngeal nerve is responsible.

Patients usually complain of loss or significant reduction in taste sensations, while sensitivity in the second half of the tongue and oral mucosa is completely preserved.

To make a diagnosis, it is important to determine that the sensory impairment is limited to the tongue and does not affect the parts innervated by the inferior alveolar nerve: this area covers the lower parts of the oral cavity and the teeth of the lower jaw. If such a symptom is present, the damage is most likely localized in the oral cavity, closer to the angle of the lower jaw.

Iatrogenic damage. The most common cause of such damage is the removal of the second and third molars. The nerve can also be damaged as a result of osteotomy or similar surgical procedures, as well as during incision of a sublingual abscess.

A limited inflammatory or neoplastic process in the lateral region of the back of the mouth also causes loss of sensation in the tip of the tongue.

Inflammation can lead to nerve damage due to pressure or exposure to toxins. The presence of a tumor also becomes a provoking factor.

Bilateral numbness

Psychogenic pain. The cause of bilateral loss of sensitivity while maintaining taste sensations is often pain of a psychogenic nature. If the pathological process is symmetrically localized in the oral cavity, in the corner of the lower jaw, then a decrease or loss of taste sensations is also observed.

Patients with psychogenic disorders do not experience depressed mood. In most cases, they deny the existence of problems and are demonstratively active emotionally.

Typical for this condition is the disappearance or reduction of symptoms during meals, as well as the tendency of patients to anxiety-hypochondriacal states due to a disorder in the functioning of one or more organs of the digestive system.

Patients are prescribed antidepressants and antipsychotic drugs. Significant improvement also occurs as a result of a course of professional psychotherapy.

Carcinoma of the upper larynx and related conditions. The cause of numbness can also lie in very serious diseases. One of them is throat cancer, or laryngeal carcinoma. In most cases, it is localized in the upper part. The causes of the development of the disease have not been fully identified, but the obvious fact is that the disease most often affects heavy smokers, alcohol drinkers, as well as people working or living in poor environmental conditions.

Along with a numb tongue, symptoms such as a sore throat and difficulty swallowing appear.

Patients complain of hoarseness and a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Ear pain often occurs.

The presence of any tumor in the neck area can cause numbness in the tip of the tongue. To make a diagnosis, magnetic resonance or computed tomography and endoscopy are prescribed.

The main method of treating carcinoma is surgery and X-ray irradiation, which makes it possible to carry out gentle therapy without damaging the functions of the larynx.

Pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia, or Addison-Birmer disease, is a pernicious anemia that develops as a result of hematopoietic disorders due to a lack of vitamin B12. As a result of a deficiency of this substance, the tissues of the nervous system and bone marrow are primarily affected.

In addition to numbness of the tip of the tongue, changes in its appearance may be observed: the symptom of a “varnished” or “scalded tongue” appears.

Patients often experience weakness, fatigue, complain of shortness of breath, dizziness, and increased heart rate. The skin becomes pale or takes on a yellowish tint. Pain in the tongue and difficulty swallowing may occur due to inflammation of the tongue (glossitis). The nervous system is also affected. There is loss of sensitivity, pain in the limbs, muscle weakness followed by atrophy. Subsequently, the spinal cord is also affected.

The development of the disease is facilitated by vegetarianism or poor nutrition with vitamin B12 deficiency, alcoholism, anorexia, and parenteral nutrition.

To treat pathology, the diet should first be adjusted.

To regulate the process of hematopoiesis, replacement therapy is carried out: intravenous administration of vitamin B12.

Immediately after several injections, a reduction in symptoms and improvement in the condition of patients is observed.

Course duration is 30 days or more.

Trauma or hemorrhage. One of the most common causes of numbness in the tip of the tongue is various brain injuries due to hemorrhage or injury.

Stroke. Numbness can be one of the symptoms of a stroke. In this case, it is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, intense headaches, tingling and numbness of the lips, loss of balance, weakness or numbness in the limbs. The speech of patients becomes slurred, and sudden loss of consciousness may occur.

If these signs appear, it is necessary to urgently call a special neurological ambulance team.

To prevent the development of changes in the brain, the patient should be given assistance:

unfasten buttons, belt, collar;
place the patient's head on high pillows;
provide a flow of fresh air;
in case of high blood pressure, give appropriate medication;
in its absence, immerse the patient’s feet in hot water;
You can use effervescent aspirin;
do not use vasodilator drugs (nicotinic acid, papaverine, noshpa, nikoshpan): they promote vasodilation only in undamaged parts, while damaged parts are not supplied with blood;
You can use drugs that do not have side effects: glycine, piracetam, Cerebrolysin;
in case of severe salivation or vomiting, turn the patient’s head (without sudden movements) and clean the oral cavity.

Severe head injuries can also cause a numb tongue. In this case, urgent assistance from a specialist is needed.

Allergy. The tongue also becomes numb as a result of food allergies. In some cases, swelling is also observed, which can lead to possible suffocation.

Other symptoms include nausea, vomiting, indigestion, abdominal pain, rash, itching, redness, tearing, and swelling of the eyelids. An allergy can occur not only when eating an allergen product, but also due to inhalation of its smell.

In this case, first of all, you should identify the allergen and exclude it from the diet. This is not difficult, since symptoms appear either immediately after consuming a certain product, or over the next 2-4 hours. One of the most reliable ways to determine food allergies is a selective diet, during which questionable foods are temporarily excluded from the menu. At the same time, antihistamines are prescribed.

Numbness can also develop as a result of taking certain medications, with neuritis of the lingual or glossopharyngeal nerve, with diabetes mellitus (during a significant decrease in blood sugar levels), certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (ulcers, gastritis, colitis, etc.), hormonal disorders background - most often during menopause.

It must be remembered that numbness of the tongue never occurs on its own: it always indicates the presence of a certain disease. To make a diagnosis and correct treatment, consultation with a specialist is necessary.

Tongue goes numb - what is it??

Numbness of the tip of the tongue is not a very painful process, but in some cases dangerous. Long or short, systematic or very rare, accompanied by other unpleasant sensations or observed as a single symptom - in any case, it is necessary to find out the cause and take action.

According to statistics, at least 72% of humanity has experienced numbness in the tip of the tongue. In medicine, this process is called paresthesia and means loss of sensitivity of nerve endings (temporary or permanent). The tongue may become numb completely or only in the lateral areas, but most often it is the tip that loses sensitivity.

Regardless of whether the tip of the tongue becomes numb due to an adverse reaction to an irritant or as a result of a disease of a certain organ system, the symptoms of loss of sensitivity are practically the same:

There is a feeling of suppressed itching inside the tongue muscle;
A burning sensation, the intensity of which may vary;
Tingling on the surface of the tip of the tongue;
Tingling, similar to numbness in the limbs;
Feeling of cold on the mucous membrane.

A person experiences one or more symptoms from this list. As a rule, during the next numbness the sensations will be exactly the same.

Why the tip of the tongue goes numb, what it means and whether it is worth neglecting such a seemingly trifle can only be understood by finding out the true reason.

Let's start with cases where numbness of the tip of the tongue occurs as a reaction to an external irritant. This may happen in the following cases:

Long-term use of medications.

If we are talking about non-natural homeopathic tablets and syrups or pharmacological drugs, the patient taking them may experience a feeling of numbness of the tongue. Of course, just because you drink this remedy once, such a symptom is not expected.

In addition, if by chance your tongue is numb, you need to look for another reason. Loss of sensitivity after a course of antibiotics or other aggressive chemical-based drugs would be more reasonable.

Local allergic reaction.

One of the most common reasons why the tongue or tip of the tongue goes numb is a response to an allergic reaction. But in this situation, contact of the mucous membrane with the allergenic substance is a prerequisite.

The reason may be unsuitable components of toothpaste, gum gels, and rinses. Loss of sensitivity, in rare cases, can be caused by dentures or braces (only ceramic braces are considered hypoallergenic).

Sometimes numbness of the tongue occurs from cinnamon, which is included in chewing gum.

Lack of micro- and macroelements.

All processes in our body are based on the exchange of macro- and microelements. If some component in the blood is missing, the usual processes may be disrupted. The mechanism of nervous sensitivity also implies the presence of certain trace elements.

If the body lacks iron and vitamin B12, then synapses are destroyed and the process of impulse transmission is weakened.

A lack of iron and vitamin B12 is also often accompanied by anemia - this may be the reason why the tip of the tongue goes numb. If this is your case, then in addition to loss of sensitivity, you will see that your tongue has acquired a reddish tint. Its surface is smooth, without bends or pinpoint tubercles.

This problem can be eliminated by simply adding bran and dried fruits to the diet. In severe cases, replacement therapy with iron and vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) is required.

Smoking tobacco products.

Tobacco comes in different forms, but the most unpleasant consequences for a person begin after smoking cheap types of tobacco. In this case, euphoria begins not only in the head, but also in the receptors of the tip of the tongue. If this happens while smoking, then you need to choose other cigarettes or hookah.

If we talk directly about hookah, then smoking “strong varieties” affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the body. After a few deep puffs, you may feel your fingertips, tongue, and feet go numb.

Do not allow the steam to travel below the mouth into the lungs; pause between puffs and take a breath of fresh air if you feel dizzy. With repeated episodes, the danger of hookah on the body increases, so it is better to give up the habit.

It happens that a person has been smoking the same cigarettes for many years, but the tip of his tongue is only now becoming numb. This may be caused by a change in the composition of cigarettes by the tobacco manufacturer. But a more common consequence is long-term smoking, and in order to get rid of loss of sensitivity it is necessary not to smoke for several months to completely remove tobacco and its metabolites from the body.

Stress and depression.

Your tongue may go numb after you are very nervous. Loss of sensitivity is possible even after minor disturbances that last for several days. Most likely, another symptom will be general fatigue and exhaustion.

The fact is that emotional overstrain is directly related to the nervous system. After emotional breakdowns, the nervous tissue is overstrained, so the lack of its functionality is often manifested by numbness of the tip of the tongue, which has a rich innervation (a large number of nerve endings).

6. Mechanical damage to the tongue.

The tongue or tip of the tongue may become numb due to an incorrectly performed dental procedure: tooth extraction, anesthesia, filling. More serious is the numbness that appears after maxillofacial surgery or injuries to the brain and spinal cord.

What diseases can cause the tip of the tongue to go numb?

In addition to instant reactions to an irritant, loss of tongue sensitivity can also indicate serious acute or chronic diseases of the body. If you suspect one of them, you should not neglect contacting a specialist.

Diabetes (any type)

Diabetes has many symptoms and consequences, and loss of sensation in the tip of the tongue is one of them. This happens due to metabolic disorders: the oral mucosa becomes thinner and drier.

The patient feels that the tongue is numb, the head becomes heavy and “scattered.” You can check whether you have diabetes by taking a blood sugar test.

However, currently a more informative test is to determine the level of glycosylated hemoglobin. It detects whether glucose concentrations have increased over the past 3 months.

Stroke

Pain in the head, heart, eyes, tinnitus are classic symptoms of a stroke, but a person can attribute everything to changes in the weather or pressure surges.

If, with this clinical picture, your lips and the tip of your tongue also become numb, immediately call an ambulance: the sooner you are hospitalized, the easier and shorter the rehabilitation will be.

A micro-stroke is especially dangerous because Symptoms last for a certain time and then go away on their own. Therefore, a person does not seek medical help, but at the same time, pathological changes in blood vessels in the brain progress, further aggravating the problem.

Disease of the cervical spine

In this situation, the patient’s tongue becomes numb, dizzy, nauseated, and there is always pain in the neck. If you maintain a static position, there may be no unpleasant sensations, but when you turn your head or tilt your body, sharp, sometimes stabbing, pain will appear.

Often, loss of tongue sensitivity in this case occurs after sleep or a long stay in an uncomfortable position.

Numbness of the tongue in diseases of the cervical spine is due to the fact that nerves pass near the cervical vertebrae. If a growth forms on one of the cervical vertebrae or it shifts, nerve impulses have difficulty reaching the innervated organs located above the injured vertebra.

Problems with the neck until they become organic may not be dangerous; they can often be eliminated with a daily set of exercises.

A brain tumor

A tumor in the brain can be either benign or malignant, but regardless of this, numbness of the tongue still appears. Loss of sensitivity is due to the fact that the tumor mechanically puts pressure on the nerve ending or the center of the nerve pathways in the brain that go from and to the tongue.

Loss of sensation may extend to the tongue, trigeminal nerve, eyelids, i.e. on the skin and mucous membranes localized above the chin and corresponding to the innervation of the nerve.

A characteristic symptom of a tumor in the brain is the patient freezing (this lasts several seconds), loss of consciousness or hallucinations. Pain in the head may not be observed if the tumor is located close to the cortex and temporal lobes.

Spinal cord cancer

Very rarely, spinal cord cancer is indicated by numbness in the tip of the tongue. As a rule, a malignant tumor and the presence of metastases are determined by more severe symptoms. To clarify the diagnosis, a computed tomography scan is performed. X-ray examination is less informative.

Bell's palsy.

The disease is not life-threatening, but still unpleasant. With Bell's palsy, a person experiences numbness in the entire face, and loss of sensation in the tongue may be the first symptom. But a disease like Bell's palsy often doesn't appear just like that. If there is no history of inflammatory processes in the cardiovascular or nervous system, there is nothing to fear.

Hormonal changes in women

If a woman is 45-50 years old, and for the first time she has encountered numbness in the tip of her tongue, then most likely she is heading towards manopause. In this case, there is no risk to health, just the hormonal background changes. Against this background, the likelihood of various functional abnormalities in the functioning of the nervous system increases.

The same can be observed in women of reproductive age. This may indicate pregnancy, but, of course, it is not a reliable symptom. In case of conception, the hormonal background also changes dramatically, and paresthesia may appear even before toxicosis.

Glossalgia

This is a disease of the oral cavity, the only symptom of which is numbness in the tip of the tongue (). Due to glossalgia, the mucous membranes and gums are affected, and the speech-forming organs are also affected.

Treatment - how to get rid of tongue numbness?

Before starting treatment, you need to find out whether you have one of the serious diseases presented above. If you have any suspicions, visit a cardiologist, endocrinologist or surgeon who, if necessary, will refer you for ultrasound and blood tests.

If the problem is with the dentures you wear, you should talk to your dentist, he will recommend medications to reduce sensitivity to the material. It is also possible to replace unsuitable prostheses, since modern medicine offers 2-3 analogues for each material.

If you are sure that you are absolutely healthy, and numbness in the tip of the tongue occurs as a reaction to an irritant, then you can cope with this problem with folk remedies.

Rinse solutions are helpful in treating tongue numbness:

Take a teaspoon of baking soda and 3 drops of iodine into a roll of warm water, rinse 3 times a day.
Take a spoonful of celandine and St. John's wort, pour a glass of boiling water and let it brew for 20-25 minutes. Rinse at least 2 times a day.
You can prepare a decoction of oak bark, sage or chamomile. To do this, pour a tablespoon of dry herb into a glass of boiling water, and as soon as the solution reaches a comfortable temperature, rinse the mouth.
If solutions are not suitable for you, make an application of sea buckthorn or peach oil. To do this, dip a cotton swab in the oil and apply it to the tip of your tongue for 3-5 minutes.