Tongue coating: what does it reveal?

“Say “Aaaaa” – Who does not know the stale taste in the morning, the whitish  coating on the tongue ? Most of the time this is not a cause for concern. However, if the coating on the tongue becomes very heavy, it could be a fungal infection Small or large: The tongue is considered the “display window” of the digestive tract. Doctors and therapists can identify diseases based on the condition and certain coatings on the tongue.

The Healthy Tongue

The sound tongue is pale red, slightly moist and flexible. It has a thin whitish coating, a sign that the stomach has properly digested the food. If you watch your tongue closely, you can see the first signs of a disease. But beware! “Don’t overestimate your own diagnosis,” warns Dr. Waltraud Pastor. “So remember that your own reflection is never a substitute for going to the doctor!”

What does which tongue coating mean?

• The tongue papillae are  enlarged and discolored red  (raspberry or strawberry tongue): This indicates infectious diseases such as scarlet fever.
• An  almost black tongue coating  can occur as a side effect of antibiotic treatment.
• Burning, bright red and inflamed tongue:  There may be a vitamin deficiency. It is also a possible indication of anemia or  diabetes .
• An abnormally  large tongue  can occur as a result of thyroid disease or a  brain tumor  .
• A severely  swollen tongue  indicates a life-threatening  allergy that occurred very quickly  .
• Abnormal  dryness of the tongue  suggests salivary gland disease.
• A  red tongue coupled with other symptoms  such as headaches, pressure on the costal arches or cramping abdominal pain can be an indication of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver diseases or heart diseases.
• Thin, smooth, and narrow tongue:  This may indicate anemia, bowel disease, or antibiotic treatment.
• Tongue with teeth marks or uneven coating  (“map tongue”): This may indicate night-time teeth grinding or biting, but it is usually irrelevant.