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What Can Cause A Burning Sensation And Swelling On Tongue?

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Posted on Tue, 26 Aug 2014
Question: What can cause a sharp burning on the Right underside of tongue and at the same time a swelling and discomfort on the right upperside. This problem is aggravated when some annoys you. can this lead to a stroke? what can stop this feeling when it comes on?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Suspecting it to be a gastric triggering cause

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help.

I would like to start by asking if you have any associated gastric symptoms like heartburn, nausea, hiccups, regurgitation of food, abdominal bloating, belching, flatulence, dry cough, hoarseness of voice, difficulty swallowing, etc.

In my opinion, your symptoms are more likely to be related to an increased acid production in your stomach associated with a possible weak lower oesophageal sphincter. When you get annoyed, your stress levels increase along with a possible increase in your blood pressure. This increases the acid production in your stomach, which in turn causes a reflux of acid into your oesophagus and into your oral cavity. The acidic constituency of these contents irritates your tongue causing it to swell up and burn as well.

I do not think this has anything to do with a stroke as long as your blood pressure levels are controlled. Speak to your doctor about helping you with a suitable diet and also medication to help control acid levels in your stomach. I am sure you shall experience a good response sir.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (20 minutes later)
Now that I have made contact, I would like to mention some more symtoms.
When I wake up in the morning, every thing feels normal, while I am moving about the house getting organized to go to work, I would feel the burning sensation coming on under the right side of the tongue. I am a supervisor where I work, so from the time I wake up I would start planning my day, this brings on the feeling very strongly as the morning progresses. I would take my medication , head to work and try to stay calm. By mid morning I would feel the right side of the tongue actually rubbing against the teeth - sometimes getting between them - causing severe burning and discomfort. This feeling will now have a tendency for the tongue to pull to the right and backwards, causing sometimes for the r/side face to feel numb. Can this be anxiety?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Anxiety is quite possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Thank you for that well explained description of events. It really does help.

I think you are quite right sir. Anxiety could be a factor, as you begin to plan your day in advance you have yourself prepared for the tasks ahead which can trigger both anxiety and stress. Both of which can be contributing factors to a rise in both blood pressure levels and stomach acid levels. This is something you need to get control of.

Individuals who plan ahead are either considered smart or at times, obsessively compulsive. Individuals who like to be well prepared can at times take it up a notch and result in becoming perfectionists which again can easily trigger anxiety.

Make sure you are good at your job, but at the same time make sure you do not let it affect your health. I still recommend a consultation with your doctor to help with avoiding hyperacidity and/or acid reflux, afrer which we can confirm/rule out this to be the cause.

I hope I have been explaining things in a manner best understood by you sir. Please do not hesitate to write to me about anything, I am always available to help.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (24 hours later)
The burning sensation under the tongue that i referred to is not on the surface,
should'nt acid burning affect both sides and not only the right?
This burning feeling comes from inside the tongue cavity - but more on the lower side. It feels like a needle piercing through the inside.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Should rule out other causes

Detailed Answer:
Hello once again sir.

Yes, the burning sensation should be more superficial. Wuth rhe new information provided by you sir, I would recommend an MRI of the brain to be on te safer side. A complete blood coagulation profile would also help to determine if there are any associated blood abnormalities possibly causing this.

Please consult your doctor regarding the same and request for an MRI. Please keep me in the loop and informed about what your doctor says and also about the results of the investigations.

Could you also let me know if you suffer from anxiety or easily panic? And what kind of a diet do you follow?

Thank you and best of luck sir. Please remember that I am always here to help ans guide you.

Best wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Can Cause A Burning Sensation And Swelling On Tongue?

Brief Answer: Suspecting it to be a gastric triggering cause Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. I would like to start by asking if you have any associated gastric symptoms like heartburn, nausea, hiccups, regurgitation of food, abdominal bloating, belching, flatulence, dry cough, hoarseness of voice, difficulty swallowing, etc. In my opinion, your symptoms are more likely to be related to an increased acid production in your stomach associated with a possible weak lower oesophageal sphincter. When you get annoyed, your stress levels increase along with a possible increase in your blood pressure. This increases the acid production in your stomach, which in turn causes a reflux of acid into your oesophagus and into your oral cavity. The acidic constituency of these contents irritates your tongue causing it to swell up and burn as well. I do not think this has anything to do with a stroke as long as your blood pressure levels are controlled. Speak to your doctor about helping you with a suitable diet and also medication to help control acid levels in your stomach. I am sure you shall experience a good response sir. I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Best wishes.