Geographic Tongue htm

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Geographic tongue: Glossitis areata exfolviativa - a condition of the tongue marked by numerous denuded patches on the dorsal surface coalescing into freeform shapes similar to the geographic areas on a map. Denuded areas may persist for more than a month. Glossitis - an inflammation of the tongue Alternative names :Patches on the tongue; Tongue - patchy; Benign migratory glossitis

One of the most common medical conditions of the tongue. Parents usually are the ones to notice several large, red, slightly depressed, unusually smooth patches on the surface of their child's tongue -- when nothing was there hours before. Often the red areas are bordered with distinct white bands. The sharp borders of these irregularly shaped lesions give the surface of the tongue the appearance of a map, perhaps a map of a group of uncharted islands. The rather dramatic appearance of geographic tongue looks to many like a burn, or like some kind of nasty infection. In geographic tongue, the filiform papillae are missing in the reddish areas and are overcrowded in the gray-white borders.

Incidence The exact prevalence varies widely from study to study, but at any given time, somewhere between 0.1 percent and 14.3 percent of otherwise healthy people have it.

Etiology The specific cause of geographic tongue is unknown, although allergies may be involved. Other causes may include irritation from hot or spicy foods, alcohol, or tobacco.allergies We still do not know exactly what causes geographic tongue, but we do know that it strongly tends to run in families (Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology, Nov 1976). Geographic tongue has polygenic inheritance -- it is associated with several different genes. We also know that it is associated with a number of other genetic medical conditions. It has been most closely linked to psoriasis, and is notably more common in those who have psoriasis (British Journal of Dermatology, Sep 1996). The two conditions have been linked to the same gene and are probably produced in the same manner; nevertheless the great majority of those with geographic tongue do not go on to develop psoriasis.genetic medical conditionspsoriasis

Geographic tongue is also significantly more common in people who are sensitive to the environment -- those with allergies, eczema, and/or asthma (Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology, Aug 1984).allergieseczemaasthma It is also four times more common in those with diabetes (Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology, Jan 1987). But a great many conditions are more common in those with diabetes, and geographic tongue has never been noted as an early warning of diabetes.diabetes In young women with geographic tongue who are also taking oral contraceptives, the geographic tongue is worst on day 17 of the cycle (British Dental Journal, Aug 1991). This suggests that hormone levels probably play a role. Perhaps there is even some truth to the unproven belief that stress can trigger geographic tongue. Weaker links have been reported to anemia, seborrhea, and eating spicy foods.

Most people with geographic tongue are otherwise healthy. The condition is usually entirely painless. While it can produce a burning sensation in the mouth, this is very rare in children. If there is any pain or burning, this usually can be successfully controlled with antihistamines (Pediatric Dentistry, Nov 1992). There is no loss of the sense of taste (hurrah for the glorious sense of taste!), nor is there any loss of the dexterity of the tongue. There is, however, a measurable decrease in the tongue's sense of touch. This was studied by carefully assessing response to mechanical vibration (Journal of Laryngology and Otology, Mar 1984).

Symptoms a map-like appearance to the surface of the tongue smooth, beefy red patches and lesions on the tongue patches that change location from day to day soreness and burning pain (in some cases) Signs and tests Your doctor will usually diagnose this condition based on an examination of your tongue. Tests are usually not necessary.

Treatment No treatment is currently recommended, however, for this benign, self-limited condition.

Geographic tongue heals spontaneously. The individual lesions often heal at the same time new ones are forming, changing the appearance of the tongue over hours or days. This gives rise to the appearance that the map is migrating across the face of the tongue. Thus, geographic tongue is also called benign migratory glossitis. Although benign, this condition may last for months -- or even longer -- and often recurs. The same pattern holds true for the rare, but real variation -- geographic lip.

Prevention Avoid irritating your tongue with hot or spicy food, alcohol, or tobacco if you are prone to this condition

Tinnitus MelinePlus American Tinnitus Assocsiation Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary

Tinnitus: the perception of noise in the ears or head when no external sound is present. sound in the ear. People hear whooshing or ringing or tinkling or buzzing or chirping or pulsing. Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) is a common problem, affecting about 17% of the general population around the world (44 million people in the USA). It causes significant suffering in about 4% of the general population (10 million in the USA). Typically patients are told "to learn to live with it." The development of a neurophysiological model of tinnitus (Jastreboff, P.J. Phantom auditory perception (tinnitus): mechanisms of generation and perception. Neurosci.Res.: , 1990)

Etiology Found in certain diseases of the exterior, middle or inner ear. Etiology: may be caused by impacted cerumen, myringitis, otitis media, labyrinthitis, Ménière’s symptom complex, otosclerosis, or hysteria The most common cause is damage to the auditory cells in the inner ear. This is due to age- related hearing loss or exposure to very loud noises.

It may also follow prolonged treatment with drugs such as quinine and salicylates, including aspirin; more than 200 medications can cause tinnitus Injury to the head or neck Stiffening of the bones in the middle ear Tumors in the brain or ears Can also be due to sound of blood flow in hypertension – objective tinnitus

Treatment Depends on cause: –Stop medications –Remove ear wax or treat infection –Treat tumor or blood vessel problems –Damage to hearing cells cannot be cured: Treatments may include hearing aids or maskers Some medications (also have side effects) Tinnitus retraining therapy