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Yellow tongue - yellow tongue coating
contents
- Functions of tongue coating
- Symptomatology and causes
- Disturbed intestinal flora
- fungal infection
- Black hair tongue
- Chronic gastritis
- Inflammation of the liver
- Enlarged hemorrhoids
- Treatment options for yellow tongue coating
- Naturopathy with yellow tongue
Functions of tongue coating
The tongue is an elongated, mucosal-coated muscle in the mouth that allows for chewing, tasting and licking, and also plays a central role in speech formation alongside the teeth. On the thick tongue mucosa there are so-called "papillae", meaning small wart-like elevations, through which various flavors such as salty, sour, bitter or sweet are perceived.
A healthy tongue is characterized by a pale red color and a thin white coating. (Image: fpic / fotolia.com) While the healthy tongue has a pale red color and a thin white coating, any visible deposit on the tongue mucosa is referred to as a "covered tongue" or "tongue coating" that can occur in different colors and textures. In most cases, deposits on the tongue consist of old cells, food remains and harmless germs and are usually "removed" during meals or as part of daily oral hygiene..
Accordingly, the pads are usually harmless and require no therapy. However, the "erosion effect" can also be absent in some situations, for example, if during a fasting cure for a long period of time, only liquid feeding or poor oral hygiene is present.
In addition, a proven tongue in certain diseases, inflammation, infection or poisoning, the coating may have a different color and thus the doctor is the first sign of a possible disease.
Symptomatology and causes
There can be a variety of causes for a yellow tongue coating, taking into account that the yellow color can often be very weak or in combination with other colors.
Disturbed intestinal flora
Often the cause lies in a disturbed intestinal flora. This means that there are either too few or too many intestinal bacteria in the intestine, some strains of bacteria have displaced others, or the function of the existing bacteria is altogether faulty.
There are many factors that can lead to a disturbed intestinal flora, such as an unhealthy diet with too much protein and fat or infections (for example, from the genus Streptococcus, fungi and amoeba). Likewise, various medications such as antibiotics, cortisone or the anti-baby pill come into consideration.
By an unhealthy diet with too much fat, protein and sugar, the intestinal flora can quickly get out of whack. (Image: happy_lark / fotolia.com) If the intestinal flora is disturbed, in addition to the yellow coating on the tongue, e.g. constant eructation, flatulence, intestinal spasms or colic as well as foul-smelling stool typical signs.
fungal infection
A slightly yellowish tongue - often accompanied by a furry feeling in the mouth - may indicate a fungal infection. This is usually caused by the yeast fungus "Candida albicans" and is also referred to as "thrush", "candidosis" or in babies as "diaper fungus".
Candida albicans can often be found on healthy skin or mucous membranes, but under certain conditions fungi multiply and thus cause inflammation of the skin or mucous membranes. Triggers may be, for example, diabetes mellitus or pregnancy, other possible causes include a general defensive weakness and the intake of antibiotics or glucocorticoids.
Black hair tongue
The reason for a yellow tongue may be the so-called "black hairy tongue" (Nigritis linguae or Lingua villosa nigra). This is a change in the tongue surface that occurs in about 3% of the population.
The Nigritis linguae is triggered by the extension of certain papillae of the tongue, forming a hairy and usually dark coating on the back of the tongue. The strongly enlarged tongue papillae take on the coloring of the food consumed, so that the tongue can be intensively yellow, red, black, blue, or green.
Discomfort usually does not occur, isolated is reported by taste changes or a slight itching. Male tongue smokers are mainly affected by this tongue change, other causes include inadequate oral hygiene, medicines (for example, antibiotics, antifungals, or phenothiazines), chemical irritants such as mouthwash or disinfectants, and vitamin deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B)..
Chronic gastritis
A white-yellowish coating in the middle area of the tongue may indicate chronic gastritis or gastritis. While acute gastritis often causes symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea and bloating, the chronic form often has no further symptoms and affects many people, especially in the second half of life.
The most important trigger of chronic gastritis is an infection with the gastric bacterium Helicobacter pylori. For example, medications (such as painkillers) may also be considered if they indirectly destroy the gastric mucosal protective layer. Without treatment, the disease often goes on for years. Nonetheless, therapy may be very important because chronic gastritis can lead to long-term complications such as duodenal or gastric ulcer.
Infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori is the most common cause of gastritis. (Image: psdesign1 / fotolia.com) Inflammation of the liver
If, on the other hand, the color of the tongue coating turns out to be slightly more yellow, or appears yellowish-brownish, this can indicate an inflammation of the liver (hepatitis) in more severe cases. This is colloquially referred to as "jaundice" or "Gilb" due to the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes and the white parts of the eyeball ("yellow eyes"). In turn, liver inflammation can have various causes, but in most cases it is viruses, alcohol, sugar and lipid metabolism disorders in obesity, as well as medications and autoimmune diseases.
Enlarged hemorrhoids: They are not the cause of the yellow tongue coating, but from the TCM point of view belong to the syndrome "heat" in the earth element. The described treatment of hemorrhoids therefore does not treat the yellow tongue coating!
Enlarged hemorrhoids
From the perspective of the so-called "tongue diagnostics", an alternative medical examination technique in the field of "Traditional Chinese Medicine" (TCM), yellow tongue coating may indicate enlarged hemorrhoids, which in turn are syndrome heat. These arise in the outermost part of the intestine near the intestinal exit, for example, by over-pressing and defecation during bowel movements (for example, in chronic constipation) or an increase in pressure in the abdomen in case of obesity or persistent cough.
In the course of a pregnancy it can come to the appearance or to the strengthening of hemorrhoids, since also here an increased pressure in the abdominal cavity exists and also the tissue in the pelvic floor is loosened. Enlarged hemorrhoids can in rare cases go completely unnoticed, but usually they cause problems such as strong after-jerking, bleeding, oozing or a feeling of pressure on the anus. In these cases one speaks of a "haemorrhoidal disease".
Treatment options for yellow tongue coating
Since a yellow-coated tongue does not require treatment in every case, it should first be clarified exactly what has caused the discoloration and only then be taken according to the underlying cause therapeutic measures.
If plaque is associated with a disturbance of normal bowel function, it is recommended that the diet be checked first. It should contain balanced, healthy and above all predominantly basic foods, that is, primarily vegetables and fruits and only slightly from animal protein. It is also advisable to consume sugary foods, sweets and white flour only in moderation.
If a disturbed intestinal flora due to a weakening of the body's defenses before, it is necessary to stabilize them again by the intestine in the context of a "colon cleansing" or "intestinal rehabilitation" of drug residues and deposits is released and the construction of the intestinal flora targeted specifically becomes.
If a yeast infection caused by the yeast fungus "Candida albicans" is responsible for the yellow tongue, it can usually be successfully treated with so-called "antimycotics" (antifungals). The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the disease, with uncomplicated infections usually lasting 3 to 4 days.
If a "black hairy tongue" is the cause, the treatment depends on the expression of the tongue change: In mild cases often already causes the conversion of nutrition and the abandonment of luxury foods such as cigarettes, tea, coffee and alcohol, a decrease in symptoms. As a first-choice treatment, regular cleansing of the pad with a soft toothbrush or tongue cleaner, as well as thorough oral hygiene with a mild toothpaste, will help remove impurities and papillae and prevent re-emergence.
With a black hair tongue, careful oral hygiene and regular tongue cleaning are particularly important. (Image: Andrey Popov / fotolia.com) Since the black hairy tongue is a cornification disorder, keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid or urea are sometimes applied locally in appropriate dilution. However, these must be prescribed by a doctor. Sucking vitamin C tablets can also help. If the black hairy tongue has a severe or extremely long course, the surgical removal of the papillae may be indicated under local anesthesia.
In the case of chronic gastritis, the treatment results from the manifestation of gastritis, in many cases no therapy is necessary here. If the inflammation is due to an infection with Helicobacter bacteria, it is usually treated with antibiotics for a period of seven days. Often help beyond such measures as a change in diet, heat and the renunciation of stimulants such as coffee, alcohol, tea, chocolate or nicotine, which additionally irritate the gastric mucosa.
If inflammation of the liver is the cause of the discomfort, treatment depends on the cause of the hepatitis. For example, if drugs or alcohol are the trigger, the corresponding substances must be discontinued immediately and avoided in the future, in acute viral hepatitis general measures such as bed rest and alcohol ban are at the center of treatment.
For the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, however, antiviral substances (eg lamivudine or tenofovir) are usually used. Chronic hepatitis C is usually carried out by means of a combination therapy with pegylated interferon and the antiviral drug ribavirin over a period of 24 to 48 hours.
If there is an enlargement of the hemorrhoids, help with mild discomfort such as itching or swelling usually ointments, creams, suppositories, anal tampons or sitz baths from the pharmacy, for example, contain anti-inflammatory, locally anesthetizing or vasoconstricting agents. However, it should be kept in mind that these uses can only alleviate symptoms for a short time and are not suitable for long-term use, as this will not eliminate the root cause. Also, the yellow tongue will usually not disappear during treatment.
In the case of greatly enlarged hemorrhoids, various treatment methods are possible, such as sclerotherapy (sclerotherapy) and rubber ligament ligation, which are used primarily in early disease stages. In advanced disease, surgery is necessary in most cases. Generally, with enlarged hemorrhoids, attention should be paid to a healthy, high-fiber diet, sufficient fluid and plenty of exercise to avoid hard bowel movement and unnecessary pressure during defecation and prevent further problems.
Naturopathy with yellow tongue
In addition to the conventional treatment options, naturopathy offers numerous procedures that can be applied to a yellow tongue coating, depending on the underlying cause. For example, homeopathy is frequently used to build up a healthy intestinal flora. Chamomilla, for example, relieves intestinal cramps or sodium sulfuricum can help with flatulence.
Schüssler salts are also useful to rebalance the intestine. For example, salts No. 4, No. 9 and No. 10 are possible here. The salt number 9 (sodium phosphoricum) helps to bind acids in the body, the number 10 (Natrium sulfuricum) to excrete the bound acids.
To strengthen the immune system, the medicinal plant Echinacea has proven itself. (Image: Jessmine / fotolia.com) The establishment of a healthy intestinal flora should stand next to a balanced acid-base balance in a tongue fungus. Because both are prerequisites for a strong immune system, which in turn plays a crucial role in the fight against Candida. In addition, naturopathy offers a number of natural remedies such as grapefruit seed extract, echinacea, oregano oil or garlic.
Attention: It should be kept in mind that most anti-Candida drugs should not be used in excessive amounts. Because too fast killing of Candida can cause under circumstances that too many toxic substances are released from the inside of the mushrooms, which in turn can lead to reactions such as headache and chills.
In the case of chronic gastritis, naturopathy can also be used meaningfully - of course according to the respective cause. For example, Helicobacter bacteria can use a combination of basic bismuth, acid-regulating minerals, vitamin supplements, and toxin-evolving drugs. In some cases, environmental therapy with or without dark field microscopy is an alternative to antibiotics.
Other, non-drug-related methods that contribute, for example, to relieve indigestion or nausea and vomiting, are mainly medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory (including arnica, marigold, St. John's wort) and mucilaginous (for example, mallow, ribwort) active ingredients.
In the case of enlarged hemorrhoids, the range of naturopathic procedures is varied and often leads to a rapid relief of the symptoms. In addition to sufficient exercise and a high-fiber diet, for example, the Ayurvedic medicine recommends drinking hot water (alternatively hibiscus tea) in small sips over a longer period of time throughout the day.
Furthermore, arthrosis, hamamelis, sulfur, aloe and graphites are often used in cases of enlarged hemorrhoids (depending on the symptoms). Hydrotherapy methods such as full baths with lavender or lukewarm sitting baths with chamomile, cypress, juniper or yarrow are considered useful. High efficacy in enlarged hemorrhoids is attributed to Dead Sea salts or oak bark baths, as these fabrics have contractive and fabric-fixing properties. (No)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)
