Gastroenterologist Dr. Yulia Zabolotskaya points out that the tongue is a "mirror" of the body, reflecting malfunctions in internal organs.
Yulia Zabolotskaya, a gastroenterologist at the SM Clinic, spoke to Gazeta.Ru about diseases that can be identified by the tongue's coating.
According to her, the tongue is usually a pale pink color, without any noticeable coating, structural changes, or dryness, and anything outside of this description warrants attention.
"The most common complaint is a white or gray coating. If it's thin and only appears in the morning, that may be normal. But a thick, clear coating often indicates inflammation, such as gastritis, duodenitis, peptic ulcers, and sometimes a fungal infection," she says.
A yellow coating on the tongue may indicate gallbladder problems or reflux of stomach contents into the esophagus, which is often observed in long-term smokers.
The doctor recommends paying attention to a bright red, shiny tongue, as it may be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency, a hallmark of atrophic gastritis.
Worrying signs include ulcers, erosions, tooth marks on the edges of the tongue, and changes in the shape and size of the papillae.
She stresses that the tongue only indicates potential problems, and is not a diagnostic tool in itself.
She adds: "There's no need to worry if you notice a layer or other signs, but they shouldn't be ignored. If the changes persist for more than a week or are accompanied by other bothersome symptoms, you should consult a specialist to diagnose the condition and accurately determine the cause. The sooner this is done, the easier it will be to treat the condition and restore your health."
