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What Causes White Discoloration In Tongue?

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Posted on Sat, 3 Oct 2015
Question: I have a very white tounge and have been having trouble eating lately due to feeling of food evetually gettibg stuck in my throat... My doctor already duagnosed me, but would like a second opinion.... I attached a picture for your review.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
oral thrush

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

The white discoloration is seen best in the first picture and appears to be oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth)

In some persons ,this fungal infection can spread from the mouth to involve the throat and also potentially the esophagus.

The involvement of the throat and/or the esophagus would cause the difficulty swallowing.

Treatment is with an oral or topical medication such as fluconazole, sporanox, ketoconazole, clotimazole

I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (12 minutes later)
My primary ENT doctor said it was some sort of Fungal infection, but the symptom you mention is the one that comes up. The doctor prescribed Nystatin and Ranitidine. I habe been using them since Tuesday, but have not felt a bit of improvement. What do you recommend?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
oral thrush is caused by fungal infection

Detailed Answer:
HI

Oral thrush is a fungal infection. It is caused by candida which is a type of fungus.

Nystatin is an antifungal , you can try completely the course but if there is no improvement after a week then you may want to try one of the other ant ifungals mentioned (fluconazole, sporanox, ketoconazole)

Please feel free to ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (8 minutes later)
What do you recommend i eat as i have already lost 10 pounds due to this situation im in? I have been drinkinh nutraments for breakfast and dinner and for lunch i eat a small portion of moist/soft mac cheese with broccli cheddar soup.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
use high calorie drinks and foods

Detailed Answer:
HI

Sorry about the late reply

If you are losing weight because of the discomfort then you may need to use high calorie drinks and foods to help you regain weight.

Eg of high calorie drinks- ensure

Adding oils/high cal dressings/ peanut butter/butter to your meals would help to increase their calorie value

You may also want to consider a full blood count and ESR (this checks for inflammation in the body).
The blood count would check your hemoglobin and white cell count

If anything else unclear, let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 minutes later)
No problem, I know it was late.Okay, I will definitely do thar. As per blood count and ESR: What kind of results can be pulled from that?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
can provide different bits of info

Detailed Answer:
HI

When I have patients with weight loss, I would normally check these parameters to make sure that they are ok.

The full blood count would include your hemoglobin and white cell count. It would be expected that the white cell would be high as a result of your infection but if it is not as high as would be expected may indicate immune system impaired (not working as it should)

Or if it is a lot higher than expected then can indicate that there may other more significant problems which would not be as likely

The hemoglobin would let your doctor know if you are anemic- sometimes persons with anemia have a harder time fighting off infection

ESR is an inflammatory marker, it should decrease as the infection resolves , if it remains high , may indicate an underlying problem.

Screening for diabetes (which would cause weight loss and stop the immune system from working), may also be appropriate

Summary: (1) full blood count would look at hemoglobin and white cell count
(2)low hemoglobin may cause problems in responding to infection and cause would need to be found
(3)white cell count would be expected to be high, would monitor to make sure goes to normal
(4)diabetes screening since diabetes can affect immune system

Hope this clears this up for you, if not let me know
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (16 minutes later)
What kind of doctor can i cakl to schedule a test?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
your family doctor can help you

Detailed Answer:
HI

Your GP can do these tests for you at his/her office

They are baseline tests.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (5 hours later)
I never had to take anti-acid medicine until my throat situation occured. Is it possible that i can stop the anti-acid meds once I recover in my throat?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (5 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes can stop

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes, you can stop once you have no more symptoms

If you find that you have acid reflux symptoms after this then you can restart
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (3 hours later)
Ine final question: if my symptom ends up just being a mouth fungal type of situation: what would you recommend for a speedy recovery?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
antifungals and boost immunity

Detailed Answer:
HI

You can ask whatever ever you wish if anything remains unclear.

Using the anti fungal you doctor recommended. If this does not help then use one of the alternatives mentioned.

Boosting your immune system with multivitamins, wide range of different fruits and vegetable (so you get different minerals and vitamins) and probiotics would also help


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
I wake up with my mouth being extremel sour. Is that due to the fungal?y
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
yes, can be related

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes , the fungal infection can cause this.

When it resolves with treatment, this should improve

Hope this helps
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (6 hours later)
I went to dentist today and discovered that i no longer have fungus in my mouth.... Now i am just stuck with issue where i have high level of acid in my mouth all day and the Gaviscon does not help it. I eat a little bit of something just to get that nasty sour taste out my mouth and then it comes back 5-10 mins after i eat my food. I bought Nexium to start taking it tomorrow morning, but am currently stuck with this sour feeling. It build up in my mouth and i then feel like i am going to choke on it. What should i do about it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (17 hours later)
Brief Answer:
can use the nexium , add pepcid or zantac for first few days

Detailed Answer:
HI

Nexium would be one of the better medications to use.

It belongs to the proton pump family of medications and it suppresses acid production. Unfortunately these meds can take 5 to 7 days to kick in while the body works to get rid of the acid that is already there.

For the first few days, you can use pepcid or zantac along with it

If you need any other info, can let me know

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (4 minutes later)
I started using Prilosec today at 11:30AM alone with no other meds and i have been feeling better than i did with the Ranitidine and Gaviscon. I would like to switch my dose of Prolosec to 7:30AM, but the box says to not take more than within 24 hours. Would i still be able to switch my dose to 7:30AM or is that impossible?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes, this is ok

Detailed Answer:
HI

Yes, you can switch , this would not have a significant effect. There are some persons who , because of severe symptoms , have to double the dose


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Michelle Gibson James (45 hours later)
Thank you soo much! You have been very helpful
doctor
Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
no prob

Detailed Answer:
Glad to help

If you have any other queries at any point, feel free to ask
Note: Find out which dental treatment will work best for your teeth. Ask here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes White Discoloration In Tongue?

Brief Answer: oral thrush Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic The white discoloration is seen best in the first picture and appears to be oral thrush (yeast infection of the mouth) In some persons ,this fungal infection can spread from the mouth to involve the throat and also potentially the esophagus. The involvement of the throat and/or the esophagus would cause the difficulty swallowing. Treatment is with an oral or topical medication such as fluconazole, sporanox, ketoconazole, clotimazole I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions