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What Causes Tightness Under The Tongue And Chin Area?
Question: I'm having pain and tightness under my tongue and under chin area. It is like feeling you get under your jaw right before you vomit. But its like that all day the last 3 days. My stomach does not hurt though. I dont have any problems swallowing and my throat does not hurt. the pain increases as the day progresses to the point I was in tears last night. I did recently start the HCG diet drops & I'm on the 5th day. Could it be the drops or should I seek medial help?
Brief Answer:
Possible submandibular sialadenitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM.
It seems unlikely that your symptoms are due to HCG diet drops since the most common known side effects are headaches, dizziness, leg cramps and skin rashes.
In my opinion your symptoms are more suggestive of submandibular sialadenitis which is an infection of the submandibular salivary gland duct opening. This opening is located on either side of the frenulum just beneath the tongue. This is extremely painful and causes the feeling of stiffening beneath the tongue around the chin area just the way you are describing it.
This may be precipitated by dehydration or reduced water intake ( It is advised to consume around 2 litres of water every day) or because of any other medications that you may be taking.
It is recommended that you start antiseptic oral mouthwashes three times a day after meals and observe for improvement. If you feel that the pain is worsening and the stiffness is increasing or you develop fever, neck nodes or difficulty in swallowing food then you must visit an ENT specialist for an evaluation. You may need an antibiotic and an anti inflammatory medication in that case. Additionally if a small stone is blocking the duct then removal of the same may also be indicated.
Hope this information helps. Do let me know if you have any other questions.
Possible submandibular sialadenitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you for writing to HCM.
It seems unlikely that your symptoms are due to HCG diet drops since the most common known side effects are headaches, dizziness, leg cramps and skin rashes.
In my opinion your symptoms are more suggestive of submandibular sialadenitis which is an infection of the submandibular salivary gland duct opening. This opening is located on either side of the frenulum just beneath the tongue. This is extremely painful and causes the feeling of stiffening beneath the tongue around the chin area just the way you are describing it.
This may be precipitated by dehydration or reduced water intake ( It is advised to consume around 2 litres of water every day) or because of any other medications that you may be taking.
It is recommended that you start antiseptic oral mouthwashes three times a day after meals and observe for improvement. If you feel that the pain is worsening and the stiffness is increasing or you develop fever, neck nodes or difficulty in swallowing food then you must visit an ENT specialist for an evaluation. You may need an antibiotic and an anti inflammatory medication in that case. Additionally if a small stone is blocking the duct then removal of the same may also be indicated.
Hope this information helps. Do let me know if you have any other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Ive been drinking about 120 oz to 144 oz of water daily since on this diet which is alot so I'm definately should not be dehydrated. I dont have any visable swelling in the area either.Just painful tightness and aching. I do have high blood pressure which is contolled with Losartan and Lasix. With this information do you still feel the same diagnosis applies?
Brief Answer:
Same or simillar diagnosis applies
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you for writing back.
Pain and stiffness regardless of a known precipitating factor still indicates an infection. You may be consuming enough fluids but the Lasix may still cause dehydration. Also other precipitating factors such as food particle triggering an infection or dryness due to mouth opening during sleep or autoimmune conditions such as sjogren's etc.. there may be lots of other reasons. In Sialadenitis there may not be any swelling. Lack of swelling rules out any duct stone or calculi. In addition our oral cavities have a lot of organisms and they can create an infection even without any recognisable cause so it is possible that there is no clear precipitating factor for this.
It may be something different altogether too such as a tender but non enlarged submandibular lymph node which may be draining from some other dental infections, caries or gingivitis. It could be early ludwigs angina which is cellulitis of the floor of the mouth beneath the tongue and raises the region under the tongue. This raise is uniform so may not appear like an isolated swelling.
But nevertheless, it is only going to be assumptions unless a doctor performs a physical examination and assess what is the reason for pain and stiffness. It is very unlikely that there is localised pain and stiffness beneath the tongue without the cause being an infection (of something in the region), cellulitis or stone.
Do see an ENT and consider the recommendations made by me in my previous answer.
Same or simillar diagnosis applies
Detailed Answer:
Hi. Thank you for writing back.
Pain and stiffness regardless of a known precipitating factor still indicates an infection. You may be consuming enough fluids but the Lasix may still cause dehydration. Also other precipitating factors such as food particle triggering an infection or dryness due to mouth opening during sleep or autoimmune conditions such as sjogren's etc.. there may be lots of other reasons. In Sialadenitis there may not be any swelling. Lack of swelling rules out any duct stone or calculi. In addition our oral cavities have a lot of organisms and they can create an infection even without any recognisable cause so it is possible that there is no clear precipitating factor for this.
It may be something different altogether too such as a tender but non enlarged submandibular lymph node which may be draining from some other dental infections, caries or gingivitis. It could be early ludwigs angina which is cellulitis of the floor of the mouth beneath the tongue and raises the region under the tongue. This raise is uniform so may not appear like an isolated swelling.
But nevertheless, it is only going to be assumptions unless a doctor performs a physical examination and assess what is the reason for pain and stiffness. It is very unlikely that there is localised pain and stiffness beneath the tongue without the cause being an infection (of something in the region), cellulitis or stone.
Do see an ENT and consider the recommendations made by me in my previous answer.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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