Medical Questions » Mouth and Throat Questions » Question No. 683
| Question: | I have a problem with my tongue. It has been very uncomfortable for 4 years. My doctors says it is covered in veins. What do you suggest? |
| Answer: | Tongue pain and discomfort can be associated with many diseases. Many older people develop obvious veins on the tongue, but these are not normally the cause of any problems, and are barely noticed by the patient.
Pernicious anaemia and iron deficiency anaemia can both be associated with a sore, red, uncomfortable tongue. A fungal growth called thrush causes a sore tongue with a white coating. Dental problems can cause irritation and soreness of the tongue, and patients who are run down and affected by other diseases can develop persistent painful ulcers on the tongue. A hard, stiff tongue can be caused by a cancer within the tongue tissue, but this is a vety rare disease.
You will need to return to your doctor for further assessment, and if s/he is unable to help you further, you should ask for a referral to an ear, nose and throat specialist.
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