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Suggest Treatment For Stomach Disorder And Burning In Throat
Question: I am a 60 year old woman with generally good health. For the past week I've have a burning in my throat, some stomach upset and taste disorders, and today my tongue was brown! I saw my GP, who is sending me to an ENT. But what is this! I was able to get rid of some of the brown by brushing.
Brief Answer:
Brown tongue from bacteria
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your medical concerns and questions.
You are concerned about a recent change in the color of your tongue. Your tongue has turned a brown color. The color change is due to a bacterial overgrowth. As the growth of bacteria increases they will produce pigments and even a hairy appearance to the tongue. Poor dental hygiene, dehydration, smoking and coffee can also contribute to the discoloration. Certain products like pepto bismol will also cause discoloration.
To treat the discoloration is to gently brush your tongue with a soft tooth brush and practice good oral hygiene. I also recommend that you drink plenty of fluids and prevent your mouth from drying. Sometimes I recommend use of biotene to keep the mouth moist and help prevent the tongue for getting brown.
Before going to the ENT I recommend you follow the above suggestions to help
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical questions and concerns
Brown tongue from bacteria
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contacting HCM with your medical concerns and questions.
You are concerned about a recent change in the color of your tongue. Your tongue has turned a brown color. The color change is due to a bacterial overgrowth. As the growth of bacteria increases they will produce pigments and even a hairy appearance to the tongue. Poor dental hygiene, dehydration, smoking and coffee can also contribute to the discoloration. Certain products like pepto bismol will also cause discoloration.
To treat the discoloration is to gently brush your tongue with a soft tooth brush and practice good oral hygiene. I also recommend that you drink plenty of fluids and prevent your mouth from drying. Sometimes I recommend use of biotene to keep the mouth moist and help prevent the tongue for getting brown.
Before going to the ENT I recommend you follow the above suggestions to help
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical questions and concerns
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
I do not smoke and brush carefully (and floss). I did take pepto bismol a few times last week but certainly no more than 3 tablets over 3 or 4 days.
What about the burning throat, irritated mouth? Is it all related? Will probiotics help?
What about the burning throat, irritated mouth? Is it all related? Will probiotics help?
Brief Answer:
Gastroesophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for responding so quickly with your follow up questions.
The recent taking of pepto bismol is the reason for the change in your tongue. It does not take much to cause the color to change. I recommend you not use pepto anymore and do the good oral care that you are already performing.
I also believe that the bacterial overgrowth can cause the burning in the mouth. Taking a probiotic will help reset your bacteria to its nature state. So I also recommend starting probiotics. I usually recommend lactobacillus
The throat burning and mouth burning could also be caused by gastric acid refluxing into your esophagus. This is known as GERD. It is very common and can be worsened by caffeinated beverages smoking being over weight or laying flat. For my patients I recommend they take medication like ranitidine or omeprazole to reduce stomach acid. A simple technique to reduce acid refluxing into the esophagus is to elevate the head of the bed slightly. This allow gravity to keep the acid down.
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical questions and concerns
Gastroesophageal reflux
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for responding so quickly with your follow up questions.
The recent taking of pepto bismol is the reason for the change in your tongue. It does not take much to cause the color to change. I recommend you not use pepto anymore and do the good oral care that you are already performing.
I also believe that the bacterial overgrowth can cause the burning in the mouth. Taking a probiotic will help reset your bacteria to its nature state. So I also recommend starting probiotics. I usually recommend lactobacillus
The throat burning and mouth burning could also be caused by gastric acid refluxing into your esophagus. This is known as GERD. It is very common and can be worsened by caffeinated beverages smoking being over weight or laying flat. For my patients I recommend they take medication like ranitidine or omeprazole to reduce stomach acid. A simple technique to reduce acid refluxing into the esophagus is to elevate the head of the bed slightly. This allow gravity to keep the acid down.
Hope this answers your question. Please contact us again with your medical questions and concerns
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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