I Am A 27 Year Old Female, Smoker. I Have

Posted on Wed, 17 Apr 2019

Question: I am a 27 year old female, smoker. I have been having some weird throat/ tongue symptoms off and on for the last year. I do have gallstones and frequent acid reflux so I initially thought that my symptoms could possibly be because of this. I also have a few cavities and back wisdom teeth coming in and maybe thought I had a slight infection somewhere in the area of my cavity or wisdom teeth but because of the persistence I am thinking it is non related. My tongue never looks pink, and is often covered in a white coating on the back. When my symptoms initially began it felt as if the taste buds on the back of my tongue were swollen which I noticed/ felt when I would swallow. When I would look, at times I could see swollen taste buds at the back of my tongue, and other times they are only slightly raised, but the odd feeling when I swallow is still there. This feeling is back, and will last for weeks. The white coating on the back of my tongue never really goes away. Sometimes when I eat the back of my throat does feel like it burns a little bit. I also today, have a red spot on my uvula which I have never seen before. I have allergies and my throat has been a slight bit irritiated the last week or so, but not sure if its related. Two days ago I did start using mouth wash to see if this would help. In the morning, I feel ok, I can barely feel this odd feeling like the taste buds on the back of my tongue are swollen. As the day progresses, I drink coffee or smoke it gets worse. I have taken a picture to reference in the event something is noticed of concern or that can answer what might be going on. I have no significant medical history. I checked my mouth and tongue for any lesions, as I am a smoker and know the risks for mouth/throat cancer but there is nothing I can see that looks abnormal or causes for concern.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Detailed explanation and advice given

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service.

I carefully read your query.

There are a few causes of the white patch on your tongue.
If you are congested and have allergic sinusitis it might cause irritation on the back of the tongue that is most likely to be in contact with the secretions running down in the back of the throat.
Acid reflux as well man irritate the back of the throat and the back of the tongue and cause whitening of it.
And lastly smoking, may cause irritation of the epithelial cells of the tongue and whitening and sometimes might progress to leukoplakia which is a conditions where the cells of the epithelium show microscopic changes.

I would recommend you to:
- use Loratadine 10 mg at night and
- possibly nasal beclomethasone spray to help with the nose allergy and
- Omeprazole 20 mg 30 minutes before breakfast (to reduce stomach acid reflux).
- You will need to regularly brush your teeth, at least morning and evening and gently apply the brush on the tongue, flossing once a day and regular check with your dentist is recommended as well.
- Quitting smoking is advisable as well as it might cause changes in the microscopic structure of the cells and predispose to some changes like leukoplakia or progression to cancer.

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)

Thank you so much for your detailed response. I am still trying to understand this very weird feeling I have in the back of my throat when I swallow. Almost as if I can feel that the taste buds on the back of my tongue are raised or swollen. Also, any idea what the red spot on the top outer part of the Uvula is?

Thank you in advance!

Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly asked for some more information on the lesion on the vulva

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I will need some more information on the red spot on the uvula. I do not think the spot on the uvula is related to the mouth condition.

Can you describe the spot, is it a lump, an ulcer or flat lesion, how big? Does it hurt or itch? Do you think you are at risk for sexually transmitted disease (more than one partners or random partners)? Do you have change in secretions below there? Any pain with intercourse? Would it be possible to upload a picture of the lesion?

Waiting to hear from you.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Answered by Dr. Dr. Antoneta Zotaj (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
The lesion on uvula does not seem serious, will very likely fade soon

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

The lesion on the uvula seems like a small red area which to my opinion does not pose any risks for you, I would expect it to go away in a few days.

You will have to watch it in the next 2-3 weeks though and if you notice it is not fading or you feel it is actually growing you will need to have it discussed with your doctor.

I hope this answers your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,

Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj