Leukoplakia of the tongue is a pathology characterized by the appearance of keratinization of the surface of the tongue. In the oral cavity there is a feeling of tightness and dryness, burning, irritation. At the beginning of its development, the disease appears with the formation of small uneven thickenings of white color. Their formation takes several months, but you can notice them after two weeks. After a while, such foci become a little rougher, covered with ulcers and roughness. Timely treatment allows you to completely get rid of this pathology.
Risk groups
Most often, leukoplakia of the tongue develops in men after 50 years, women suffer from this 2 times less often. In addition, people whose oral mucosa is constantly exposed to harmful chemicals, as well as smokers and lovers of spicy and s alty foods, are at risk. In HIVinfected are mainly diagnosed with hairy leukoplakia of the tongue. A complete cure in this case is impossible, therefore, only maintenance therapy is carried out.
Causes of occurrence
If there is a leukoplakia of the tongue, the reasons leading to this may be different. Basically, this pathology is formed as a response to frequent external stimuli and is considered an optional precancer.
The most common causes are:
- Smoking. Cigarettes contain nicotine, tar, aromatic additives, and tobacco smoke itself, which irritate the mucous membrane of the tongue.
- Problem teeth. Rotten and neglected teeth are foci of infection and inflammation, leading to leukoplakia of the tongue. In addition, pathology can develop due to an unsuccessful filling, bridge or crowns.
- Drinking a lot of alcohol.
- Inflammatory processes in the oral cavity.
- Lack of vitamins A and B.
- Harmful working conditions or tongue injury.
- Weakened immunity.
Stages of disease development
Leukoplakia of the tongue develops rather slowly, in several stages. The danger of this pathology lies in the fact that at the beginning of the disease a person does not experience any discomfort. And since inflammation occurs at the base of the tongue, it is completely impossible to see.
Pathology develops inmultiple steps:
- First, small foci of inflammation appear.
- After this, keratinization of the epithelial layer occurs, accompanied by the formation of white spots.
- Then the state of he alth begins to deteriorate and the development of the verrucous form of pathology occurs, in which the spots begin to become covered with warts. At the same time, the spots become much denser to the touch and begin to rise above the surface of the oral mucosa.
- If treatment is not started in time, the inflamed area begins to crack, the disease becomes ulcerative, and this is already an advanced stage of the disease that can turn into cancer.
Symptoms
As is already known, if leukoplakia of the tongue has formed, its symptoms do not manifest themselves at an early stage. The disease can develop over the years, subsequently leading to serious complications.
The late form of leukoplakia is characterized by the occurrence of erosion and cracks in the lesion, accompanied by the appearance of pain. Moreover, any wound on the tongue or a crack causes excruciating pain while eating or talking. In addition, the damaged area becomes a source of infection for he althy tissues.
Diagnosis of disease
To successfully get rid of the disease, its correct diagnosis is necessary. It includes the following studies:
- Examination of the tongue and the entire oral cavity.
- Cytological analysisbiological material. It is this study that allows you to make an accurate diagnosis. For analysis, a small piece of tissue is taken from the affected area, and this is done completely painlessly.
- Histological analysis of the material, which allows to determine the duration of the disease, at what stage it is, as well as the nature of its development.
Treatment
At whatever stage of development a disease such as leukoplakia of the tongue is, treatment should correspond to the current state. The doctor must find out the causes that contributed to the development of inflammation in order to completely eliminate it. He must also develop an individual treatment regimen, which consists in removing the lesion and implementing complex therapy.
First of all, all irritating factors are removed: dentures are replaced, neglected teeth are treated, and the oral cavity is completely sanitized. If the pathology arose due to internal ailments, then first of all, the disease that provoked leukoplakia should be cured.
The initial stage is well cured with preparations containing vitamins A, B2 and E, which can strengthen the immune system.
The main ways to remove the pathological area are:
- Cryosurgery is the effect of low temperatures on the focus of inflammation.
- Laser excision and coagulation - in this case, CO2-laser is used, which does not leave scars, scars and cuts. The pathological focus is destroyed as a result of the evaporation of biologicalfabrics.
- Photodynamic therapy is the safest way to treat such diseases as leukoplakia of the tongue, as well as cancers. In this case, not only the lesion is removed, but the patient's immunity also increases. This is very important, as leukoplakia often contributes to the development of cancer of the tongue. Photodynamic therapy is carried out using chlorine drugs and laser equipment.
Treatment with folk remedies
If leukoplakia of the tongue is diagnosed, treatment with folk remedies will be quite effective. Such homemade recipes do not require much effort, time and money, and in terms of their effectiveness they are not inferior to medicines. The following are the most popular methods.
Leukoplakia of the tongue is well treated with a decoction of chamomile. For this, 2 tbsp. l. dry flowers are brewed in 300 ml of boiling water, infused for several minutes, filtered and cooled, after which they begin to rinse their mouth. The course of treatment lasts until the condition improves. Such a remedy heals wounds and prevents the formation of new ones.
To make another remedy, you will need yellow sunflower petals, which must be dried. After that, 1 tsp. petals and 2 tbsp. l. garden peony roots pour 300 ml of hot water and boil for 10 minutes over low heat. Insist 12 hours, filter and drink during the day in 3-4 doses. The course of treatment is 10 days. During this period, you can not eat sweet and smoked.
Good helps to take offirritation and inflammation of the oral mucosa refined olive or sunflower oil. They should soak a gauze pad and lubricate the affected areas several times a day. You can also leave the swab in your mouth for a few minutes or just hold the oil in your mouth and then spit it out. This method is used until complete recovery.
Forecast
It is very difficult to predict how such a disease as leukoplakia will proceed in the future. In some, it can last for years without changing its benign course, while in others there is a rapid degeneration into a malignant neoplasm. Treatment carried out in a timely manner guarantees a positive result, but the likelihood of relapses is high.
To prevent the appearance of leukoplakia of the tongue, it is necessary to avoid provoking factors that adversely affect the oral mucosa.
Conclusion
Thus, we found out what leukoplakia of the tongue is, the photo of which is presented in the article. It is imperative to treat this pathology, otherwise it can cause various complications, and sometimes it can even develop into a cancerous tumor.
