Has a doctor ever looked at.....

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:24 am

your tongue?
This was a first for Jeff the other day. The new holistic doc studied his tongue for awhile.
"Hmmmm.....", he said.
"That's interesting. You have a geographic or fissured tongue. It happens in about 15% of the population. Could be genetic, might be related to a virus. We'll have to look into that."

Not to be too navel-gazing, just wondering how many folks have ever had their tongues scrutinized. It used to be part of a regular physical. The tongue can "speak" about nutrition deficiencies, viruses, and general health.

My son and I have smooth tongues, no signs of bumps or fissures. I suppose dentists look for tongue irregularities, by why not doctors?
interesting,
AC

Nenu · Post by **Nenu** » Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:02 am

I've had geographic tongue/fissured tongue since I was in grade 1. A dentist first brought it to my mom's attention. Sometimes it's there, sometimes I don't see it for a very long time. I'm never quite sure what triggers it. The only trigger for a mouth related thing I have noticed is drinking orange juice causes me to get canker sores.

It can mean virus etc, but generally it's a benign condition.

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:03 pm

Hi AC and Nenu
no conventional doctor has ever asked to look at my tongue but my acupuncturist puts huge store by in, and is usually accurate in her remarks based on what she sees there.

I had geographic tongue for 10 years until I was advised to get tested for coeliac disease when two family members found out they were coeliacs. I got a blood test done, it showed up anti-gluten antibodies, then I was sent for further tests and it was confirmed I too was a coeliac.

Within about 3 months on the gluten free diet my geographic tongue disappeared. If I make a mistake on the diet my tongue goes smooth again and cracks happen in my lips.

Just an idea but perhaps you should get the initial blood test to rule out coeliac disease?

SarahLonglands · Post by **SarahLonglands** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:21 pm

AC, I have never had a geographic tongue, even before MS, during the long years of relapsing remitting or the term of aggressive progression: my tongue was always pristine.

Sarah

cheerleader · Post by **cheerleader** » Sat Apr 26, 2008 1:24 pm

Thanks, WW and Nenu-
Coeliac disease? Interesting. Jeff is pretty close to gluten free, since he's on Swank and we stay away from white foods, but he does sometimes consume whole grains and cereals. hmmm...that would explain his malabsorption issues. Will ask the holistic doc next week for a blood test.

I just thought it was strange that this was the first time anyone had studied his tongue and noticed those cracks in it.

I'm glad you have a good doc, WW- thanks for the advice,
AC

Wonderfulworld · Post by **Wonderfulworld** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:38 am

Good luck with it AC. Take a look at this link http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/celiac/ 0 it explains the testing process very well.
One word of warning - if going for a blood test (and if that is positive then a subsequent biopsy) your husband should eat ) you should follow this advice otherwise the tests may turn up a false negative:

Serological testing for identifying coeliac disease should only be done when a patient is on a diet containing gluten (check patients have not already been on a gluten free diet prior to test). Arrange serology test if a patient has been on a gluten containing diet for at least six weeks. A suitable challenge is a diet including four slices of normal bread per day for a minimum of two weeks - test 6 weeks later. If the result is positive then intestinal biopsy should be offered.14

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