Tongue tongue covered

Tongue covering - Occupied tongue

The tongue coating (occupied tongue) of a human being has always been used in different cultural circles for medical diagnosis. Deviations in color and consistency of the coverings are also interpreted and treated differently within the various healing systems. The localization, color and consistency of the coverings are considered. As a further diagnostic indicator, cracks, furrows, dental impressions, elevations and halitosis are added.

Of course, discoloration due to food and beverages (beetroot, blueberries, wine, coffee) must be taken into account. By examining tongue plaque, diagnoses of diseases can be substantiated. In addition, organic disorders become visible at a very early stage and can be compensated before a (serious) illness has developed.

Contents:
Tongue coating in western tongue diagnostics
Tongue coating in Ayurveda
Tongue coating in conventional medicine
Tongue covering diagnostic examples
White tongue coating causes
Brown tongue coating
Black tongue causes

Tongue coating in western tongue diagnostics

According to the western tongue diagnostics, the entire digestive tract is reflected on the tongue. Depending on where the pad forms, it provides information on the condition of certain organs. While the anterior third has been shown to indicate the esophagus and incipient gastric region, the reflex zones of the stomach, duodenum, liver, bile, pancreas (left), and spleen (right) are in the middle third. Finally, the posterior part of the tongue should provide information about the state of the intestine. Likewise, color deviations suggest disrupted organ functions. In mild intestinal disorders, for example, on tongue edges and tip often red to brownish discoloration. Yellow tongue coating is interpreted as a sign of a disturbance of the intestinal musculature, but above all on an involvement of the liver. A thick coating, which appears brownish yellow, is associated with disorders of the liver, gall bladder and biliary tract, but also a possible portal venous congestion. Similarly, gallbladder and bile duct diseases may show a greenish coating on the tongue. The naturopathic treatment is based on the cause, for example, with medicinal plants, homeopathic remedies, environmental therapy or diversion procedures.

The coating on the tongue and throat are indications of existing diseases. (Image: eyetronic / fotolia.com)

Tongue coating in Ayurveda

As in the traditional Western tongue diagnostics, so in Ayurveda, the traditional healing system of India, the tongue coating is given importance. After the as Jhiva On the tongue, however, there are also areas in which organs that are not part of the digestive system are reflected. Thus, for example, the heart is found in the middle of the front third while the lungs extend to the right and left. The posterior third shows the two kidneys, which laterally frame the large intestine. Finally, in the middle third of the stomach and pancreas are shown in the middle and spleen and liver side, which corresponds approximately to the Western conception. The tongue coverings that are visible on these areas are also colored according to the three basic energetic principles of Ayurveda, viz Vata, Pitta and Kapha, assigned. A white tongue coating is considered as Kapha-Disturbance, while a red or yellow-green colored tongue on a Pitta-Disruption indicates. Brown and black discoloration finally indicate a disturbed Vata out. Taking into account the individual constitution, these disorders are compensated with medications, massages, asanas (physical exercises), various detoxification methods and the nutritional teachings of Ayurveda.

Tongue coating in conventional medicine

Modern representatives of conventional medicine measure tongue coatings i.d.R. not the same importance as the practitioners of empiricism, the treat especially in emerging disorders as a precaution. However, there are some tongue phenomena associated with certain tongue coatings and discolorations that are named and often associated with specific diseases.

For example, the "raspberry tongue" is a typical symptom of scarlet fever, an infectious disease caused by streptococci. At a certain stage of the infection, the tongue stands out due to the intense reddening and protruding protrusions, which in the medical literature brought it into comparison with the raspberry fruit.

A strongly reddened tongue is considered a sign of iron deficiency or pernicious anemia (with vitamin B12 deficiency). Moreover, if the tongue is very smooth due to sunken papillae and is accompanied by a burning tongue, it is likely to be deficient in vitamin B12, caused for example by liver cirrhosis. This phenomenon is called "lacquer tongue".

If the tongue is covered by pink and red spots, it is referred to as a "map tongue" with disorders of the endocrine system, but also with liver or metabolic disorders. Finally, the "hairy tongue" (see above) with black tongue coating is considered harmless and is often regarded only as a cosmetic problem.

Tongue covering diagnostic examples

When healthy, the tongue should be reddish, moist and shiny and surrounded by a pale whitish coating that can not be wiped off. An occupied tongue generally indicates toxins from the area of ​​the digestive system. It is therefore an integral part of Ayurvedic morning hygiene to strip the tongue covering with a tongue scraper. There are rare tongue coatings, such as the lilac green described as the main symptom of poisoning with the heavy metal Valadium. White, brown and black tongue coatings are common and can have multiple causes. However, diagnostic information is never exclusively used in tongue diagnostics, but is added to other symptoms for the assessment.Some examples will be presented from the different healing systems.

White tongue coating causes

For example, mild gastric catarrh may be associated with a thin white coating near the transition between the anterior and middle thirds of the tongue.

Acute gastritis is often accompanied by impaired acidity in the stomach. This condition can be seen, for example, as a thick-whitish coating which spreads over the tongue from the middle of the tongue, which in western tongue diagnostics represents the stomach visually. In the case of excess acid, however, it can also be free of coating or red.

If thick, whitish tongue coating is accompanied by a sore throat and fever and gives way to a distinctly red tongue with protruding hairs after 3 to 4 days ("raspberry tongue"), this can be a clear indication of the infectious disease scarlet fever.

A white tongue covering, which affects the entire tongue and is also visible on the cheek mucosa, suggests oral thrush caused by a yeast-fungal infection (Candida albicans).

If the tongue is pale and pale overall, there is probably a lack of red blood cells (anemia).

Brown tongue coating

Brown tongue coating is considered by western tongue diagnosticians as a very safe indication of a pathological intestinal event. Intestinal ulcers may be indicated, for example, by a brown, clay-like coating in the rearmost area of ​​the tongue.
A dry tongue, partly barky and dirty brownis occupied, but is also common in a bowel obstruction. Other symptoms are the complete absence of stool and wind, a swollen abdomen that can be felt as a hard belly and all signs of acute abdominal pain (acute abdomen).

If the tongue coating is dark brown and dry and accompanied by fever and diarrhea, it may be an indication of the infectious diseases typhus and dysentery. Sometimes, however, the literature also describes a bluish discoloration of the tongue in the case of dysentery.

A brown coating in the middle of the tongue, surrounded by moist red edges, suggests an inflammatory change in the colon.

If elongated brown areas are visible on the right and left of the tip of the tongue, the suspicion of pneumonia may arise, according to ayurvedic healing knowledge.

Black tongue causes

Usually black tongue coating occurs as a black hairy tongue (Lingua villosa nigra), which looks like "hairy" due to elongation and keratinization of inflamed papillae. The furry dark coating arises thereby by pigment-forming bacteria, which can settle and spread with weak defenses in the changed mucous membrane milieu (oral flora).
A black tongue is seen as an alarming sign in alternative healing systems, not only because of its drastic appearance, but because it suggests a severely weakened defense system of the immune system. In conventional medicine, her edoch but little disease value is attributed. Without treatment is waited until after a few weeks or months (in some cases, even after years), the coating has regressed.

Frequently the appearance of the black tongue coating is observed after (immunodeficient) treatment with antibiotics and cortisone preparations, but also in the context of yeast infections, vitamin deficiencies and excessive tobacco consumption. The phenomenon is also described in connection with AIDS, after chemotherapy and severe underweight extinctions. In addition, some mouthwash and disinfectants favor the development of the black (hair) tongue.

In Ayurvedic medicine, a black tongue coating is understood as a Vata disorder and is out of balance by regulating it doshas treated according to Ayurvedic principles.(jvs, 10.01.2011)

Picture credits: Rolf van Melis