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I have suffered from a slimy yellow deposit on my tongue for nearly three years. Doctors have recommended antifungal tablets – no improvement. I’ve tried a different toothpaste, regular tongue scraping and mouthwash. Nothing has an effect. Any ideas?
Yellow discolouration on the tongue is usually due to a build-up of dead skin cells on the papillae – the tiny projections on the surface of the tongue that give it its characteristic rough texture.
This tends to happen when the papillae become enlarged or inflamed. Common infections such as colds and flu, acid reflux, smoking and even eating spicy foods might be triggers.
Yellow discolouration on the tongue is usually due to a build-up of dead skin cells on the papillae – the tiny projections on the surface of the tongue that give it its characteristic rough texture
It could also be because of a dry mouth – due to other medical conditions – or as a side effect of medication, particularly those containing bismuth such as Peptobismol, taken for heartburn.
I know it sounds obvious, but a dry mouth is also commonly caused by not drinking enough water, so it’s worth considering this.
Bacteria that live in the mouth feed on the build-up of dead cells and over-grow, and they are what causes the yellow colour.
It can worsen, becoming black or brown. It’s not a fungal infection, which is why antifungal treatments are ineffective.
We’d advise stopping smoking (if you do) and increasing fibre in your diet, which will help boost the good bacteria in the mouth.
A dentist may recommend specific mouthwashes, such as those containing hydrogen peroxide, as well as give advice on appropriate mouth care.
A yellow tongue could also be a sign of jaundice, which is a symptom of a number of conditions, such as gallstones, liver disease and pancreatitis, and these should be ruled out.
My son is 36 and has suffered from hand tremors for years. He struggles with everyday tasks and we are absolutely desperate to find help. Can you point us in the right direction?
Everyone’s hands probably tremble a bit, from time to time, and sometimes, you might notice it more than others.
Being tired or stressed, and drinking too much caffeine can all make our hands shake more than usual.
But for those with a severe tremor, lifting a cup, dressing and doing up buttons and writing can become difficult or impossible. And this can have a significant impact on quality of life.
Everyone’s hands probably tremble a bit, from time to time, and sometimes, you might notice it more than others
Tremors can be brought on by brain injury or stroke, or it can be a symptom of Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and other health conditions such as liver disease and an overactive thyroid (hyperthryoidism).
It can also be a side effect from taking various medications, including the blue asthma inhaler –salbutamol – and certain psychiatric drugs.
If all these things are ruled out as the cause, we call it essential tremor, a condition believed to affect one in 100 people.
The exact cause of essential tremors isn’t known, but it may be genetic as it tends to run in families and it’s often more noticeable in the dominant side and in the hands.
It’s more often seen in the over 65s and studies suggest people often suffer for years before seeking help.
Treatments include the beta blocked propranolol – a medication used for various conditions such as heart disease, migraines and anxiety.
A referral to a neurologist might be needed, and the anti-seizure medication primidone, Botox injections and even brain surgery, or other procedures on the brain, could be offered.
I am 71, and have recently been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. It wasn’t a great shock, as I’ve suffered the symptoms for years, including weak muscles, coughing fits and problems swallowing. Recently I almost choked when something ‘went down the wrong way’ – now I’m scared I am going to choke to death one day.
Myasthenia gravis occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the nerves that control muscles.
It’s rare, and tends to occur in women over the age of 40 and men over 60.
Typically, people will first notice muscle weakness which tends to get worse with activity and improves with rest. It’s diagnosed using blood tests and scans.
It can cause problems with chewing and swallowing, and this can lead to recurrent chest infections if food is inhaled.
Treatment options include medications such as pyridostigmine, which slows the immune attacks on the nerves and increases muscle strength, steroids and other immune suppressing treatments.
A thymectomy, to remove the thymus gland, might also be offered.
The thymus produces the antibodies that attack the muscle-nerve connections, so taking it out can help.
With treatment, myasthenia gravis can go into remission, meaning that the symptoms resolve, either temporarily or permanently.
Patients can then lead normal lives, with normal life expectancy, and the risk of issues such as choking are significantly reduced.
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