Tongue Has Red Spots: Is This Cancer?
There are numerous causes of red spots on the tongue, and unfortunately, cancer is one of them.
However, this isn’t the most likely cause of what you might perceive to be red “spots” on your tongue. Let’s first look at non-malignant causes.
“Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause red spots on the tongue,” says Richard Bezozo, MD, President of MoleSafe, the world’s most advanced melanoma screening program.
He says that scarlet fever and strep infection can also cause red spots on the tongue.
“Thrush, a yeast infection of the mucus membrane lining the mouth and tongue, can also cause red spots,” says Dr. Bezozo.
“Common causes of yeast infection oral candidiasis include antibiotic use, HIV infection or other immunodeficiency conditions.”
Tongue Cancer Appearance
Tongue cancer often presents with distinct changes in the appearance of this muscle.
One of the first signs of this condition is the development of a red or white patch on the tongue.
While this discolored area might initially appear as a small spot, it is more commonly observed as a larger patch or splotch that can appear anywhere on the tongue’s surface.
As the cancerous lesion progresses, it typically exhibits raised edges and becomes increasingly firm to the touch.
The texture of the lesion may become harder over time, making it more noticeable.
In advanced stages, the center of the lesion often becomes ulcerated and prone to bleeding.
This bleeding can occur easily with applied pressure, such as during activities like chewing or swallowing.
The lesion may break open more readily under such conditions, leading to discomfort and additional bleeding.
These symptoms are significant and warrant prompt medical attention.
Other Symptoms of Tongue Cancer
• Pain when swallowing or without
• The tongue is stiff.
• Feeling that something is stuck in the throat.
• Problems chewing or a stiff-feeling jaw
• Tasting blood (from bleeding in the mouth)
• Numbness involving the mouth
Risk Factors
• Any kind of tobacco use — smoking, chewing; cigarettes, cigars, pipes
• Heavy drinking (combination of smoking and heavy drinking significantly boosts risk)
• Standard American diet: lots of processed foods such as luncheon meats, microwavable dinners and side dishes, fast foods, bakery, and few fruits and vegetables
• History of an HPV infection
• Family history of oral cancer
• Male, over age 50, but don’t let this make you think that women are immune.
• Chronic acid reflux (GERD)
• Exposure to asbestos or formaldehyde
• Poor oral hygiene
• Bad fitting dentures
Malignant lesions may be tender. And this can’t be said too much: Beware of red spots on the tongue that bleed; this is a strong indication of cancer.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Richard Bezozo, MD
There are more new cases yearly of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. The MoleSafe system produces high-resolution diagnostic images and creates a profile for your skin that’s monitored for any changes in moles.
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Top image: Shutterstock/sirtravelalot
Sun Spots on Skin vs. Age Spots
Is a sun spot actually an age spot or what?
And don’t assume that only “old” people get age spots; they can begin in middle age.
“Sun spots and age spots are the same thing, which result from too much sun exposure” says Richard Bezozo, MD, President of MoleSafe, the world’s most advanced melanoma screening program.
These benign lesions are also called liver spots.
“They are most common on sun exposed areas of the skin,” says Dr. Bezozo.
“Sun spots are the result of a buildup of melanin in the skin.”
Small sun spots can sometimes pass as common moles. If you discover what appears to be a new mole, have your dermatologist inspect it with a handheld lens called a dermatoscope.
A new mole in an older person, particularly over age 40, may actually be a melanoma, even if it appears normal.
The term “lentigo” is sometimes used to refer to a sun spot in people of middle age and older. The plural is lentigines, and these can strongly resemble moles.
They are harmless, but any new spot (call it “age” or “sun”) that looks like a mole should be checked out by your doctor.
“Melanin typically spreads throughout the skin as an even tan, but when we age, melanin can clump. Prevention is the best cure because sun damage is cumulative.”
To help prevent sun or age spots, Dr. Bezozo recommends the following measures:
- Avoid the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Use a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunblock with an SPF of at least 25.
- Wear clothes with built-in sunscreen.
- Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Avoid sunbathing.
“For people with sun spots, there are some creams available that may reduce some of the darkening; speak to your dermatologist for recommendations,” says Dr. Bezozo.
Richard Bezozo, MD
There are more new cases yearly of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers combined. The MoleSafe system produces high-resolution diagnostic images and creates a profile for your skin that’s monitored for any changes in moles.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/DUANGJAN J
Get Rid of Bitter Taste in Mouth: Doctor’s How-To
A bitter taste in the mouth has many causes, says an ear, nose and throat doctor.
That’s pretty aggravating, a persistent bitter taste in the mouth.
“Many things can cause a bitter taste in the mouth,” explains Dr. Stacey Silvers, MD, of Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in NYC, who is board certified in otolaryngology.
Dr. Silvers says these causes are as follows: tonsil stones (old food particles combined with oral bacteria), poor dental hygiene, chronic sinus infections (this means old mucus remaining in the sinuses), and last but not least…acid reflux.
Bitter Taste in Mouth Caused by Acid Reflux
Dr. Silvers points out that often, a patient will not feel the so-called heartburn or indigestion, and this makes a diagnosis more difficult to come up with.
“Conservative treatment entails avoiding acidic and carbonated foods,” says Dr. Silvers.
In addition, she advises to refrain from eating about three hours prior to bedtime.
You can play this safe by not eating even “just a small snack.”
Also, prop yourself up on a wedge-shaped pillow (below) “to allow gravity to keep acid in the stomach. If this is not helpful OTC antacids will likely help. If this does not help, see your ENT.”
Source: medcline.com
An NYC expert in ear, nose and throat care, Dr. Silvers has been named among America’s Top Physicians and Surgeons in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology numerous times since 2003. Dr. Silvers is an expert in the field of minimally invasive rhinology, resolving patients’ breathing and sinus problems with simple in-office procedures.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Freepik/benzoix
Foul Morning Taste in Mouth: Causes, Treatments
Many things can cause a foul taste in the mouth, says an ENT doctor.
Sooner or later, most people will find they have a foul taste in their mouth either upon awakening for the day, or upon awakening sometime in the middle of the night.
“Many things can cause a foul taste in the mouth,” says Dr. Stacey Silvers, MD, of Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in NYC, who is board certified in otolaryngology.
“Poor dental hygiene, tonsil stones (buildup of old food particles mixed with oral bacteria), chronic sinus infections (old mucous sitting in the sinuses) and acid reflux.”
Acid Reflux As Cause of Overnight Foul Taste in Mouth
“Stomach contents that reflux up is a common cause of a foul taste and foul breath,” says Dr. Silvers.
“Often patients will not feel heartburn or indigestion, making the diagnosis more difficult.”
How does the reflux, though, lead to the foul taste?
Once in your throat or mouth, this acidic mixture coats your tongue, teeth and soft tissues, altering taste receptors and disrupting saliva’s normal cleansing.
The acid de-mineralizes tooth enamel, causes bacterial overgrowth and raises your mouth’s pH.
This creates an environment where microbes — that don’t smell too nice — flourish.
Bile, if present, adds a bitter or sour note to the taste.
Together, these changes leave a lingering foul, sometimes metallic, or a sour taste upon waking.
Your morning mouth essentially reflects the overnight exposure to corrosive digestive fluids.
Treatment for Foul Taste in Mouth that Occurs Overnight
“Conservative treatment entails avoiding eating three hours before bed and sleeping on a back wedge to allow gravity to keep acid in the stomach,” says Dr. Silvers.
“With sinus issues patients will have sinus pressure over the cheeks and/or forehead.
“Natural sinus washes [with a neti pot] can be helpful to clear old mucous from the nose and sinuses.”
Neti pot. Shutterstock/kavzov
Dr. Silvers also says, “Reflux medication over the counter can be tried for possible reflux.”
There are several brands to choose from; if one doesn’t work, it’s possible that another one will.
An NYC expert in ear, nose and throat care, Dr. Silvers has been named among America’s Top Physicians and Surgeons in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology numerous times since 2003. Dr. Silvers is an expert in the field of minimally invasive rhinology, resolving patients’ breathing and sinus problems with simple in-office procedures.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
Top image: Shutterstock/Marius Pirvu
Morning Nose Gunk May Be Caused by a Dry Climate
Are you sick of waking up every morning with all this dried gunk in your nose, making it feel as though you’re not breathing in enough air?
If you live in a dry climate such as Colorado, you may have dry-air-induced morning nose snot. In fact, in Colorado, it goes by a name:
“Colorado nose” refers to the condition of awakening with dry mucous plugging up your nasal passages as as result of a dry climate.
But you don’t have to live in Colorado to have “Colorado nose.”
Any dry climate can cause the mucus in your nose to pile up come morning.
What makes dry snot worse than moist gooey snot is that the dry kind is difficult to blow out. It just stays stuck in there.
Desperation can easily lead to using tweezers to pluck out the dry chunks of mucus plugging up your nostrils.
Some people fare better with a Q-tip swab, or even a long fingernail.
“Dry cold thin air can irritate the mucous membranes and dry the nasal mucous,” says Dr. Stacey Silvers, MD, of Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in NYC, who is board certified in otolaryngology.
“Areas of higher altitude have dryer thinner air,” she continues. “Over time most people living in these climates will adjust. People visiting the mountains on holiday would benefit from a humidifier especially at night.”
The humidifier should be placed near the head but not so close that the hot steam coming from it is uncomfortable. The door to the room should be closed for a maximum moistening effect of the air.
Hydration
Freepik.com
Dr. Silvers also says, “It is also important to keep hydrated. Occasionally nasal moisturizers like saline sprays or Rhinaris nasal spray or ointment are over the counter and can be used a few times per day for dryness in the nose.”
A neti pot is another alternative for getting rid of dry crusty gunk in the nose when you wake up.
An NYC expert in ear, nose and throat care, Dr. Silvers has been named among America’s Top Physicians and Surgeons in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology numerous times since 2003. Dr. Silvers is an expert in the field of minimally invasive rhinology, resolving patients’ breathing and sinus problems with simple in-office procedures.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/Andrey_Popov
What Exercises Trigger Acid Reflux?
A variety of exercises are known to trigger acid reflux.
And there is one type of exercise in particular that can quickly shoot acid right up into your throat and cause a funny taste in your mouth.
Jonathan Zinberg, MD, explains what kind of exercises and a particular workout technique that can trigger acid reflux. You’ll be surprised at what’s on his list.
Dr. Zinberg is chief of gastroenterology at South Nassau Communities Hospital, Oceanside, NY.
And he says, “Any exercise that involves a Valsalva maneuver, especially if lying back, would be likely to increase reflux.”
The Valsava maneuver is when a person holds their breath during exertion or straining, such as when struggling to push the bar back up in a bench press or the sled back up in a leg press.
This is the same type of bearing down that one might do when sitting on a toilet and pushing like mad to void a very hard and stubborn stool.
Except with lifting against resistance, a heavy weight is involved. This will put more force and strain on the body.
This is the wrong way to work out and get in that last rep. When I was a personal trainer I made sure that my clients were always exhaling as they struggled with heavy weight.
Avoid the Valsavla maneuver at all costs, because not only can it cause acid reflux (which is a benign issue), but — it can spike blood pressure quite a bit.
“Bench presses, leg extensions or leg curls, weightlifting generally and vigorous running all may lead to reflux,” says Dr. Zinberg.
A lot depends on the individual, too. For some, the only kind of exercise that triggers acid reflux is that which involves erratic, jarring movements, such as sprints, kickboxing, step aerobics, jump rope and plyometric drills (box jumping, squat jumps, scissor jumps, etc.).
Think of all the jostling around that goes on inside your stomach during these activities.
That’s a lot of opportunity for stomach juice to get kicke up the esophagus.
Once your body is calmed down, the acid reflux should subside.
If it occurs only when you’re moving around erratically, as opposed to lying on a bench and pushing up a bar, it should go away fairly quickly once you cease the erratic movements.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/MikeSaran
Why You Awaken with a Nose Full of Hard Mucus
Find out what you can do about morning hard mucus in your nose and what causes this disgusting problem.
Morning snot can be such a problem for some individuals that they actually seem to have trouble breathing—getting air through their nasal passages.
Unfortunately, the solution isn’t as simple as grabbing a tissue and blowing because the “snot” is solidified.
Causes of Morning Snot
“Low humidity climates and cold dry air will dry out the nose,” comments Dr. Stacey Silvers, MD, of Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in NYC, who is board certified in otolaryngology.
Dryness is the enemy, causing a dry nose and thus dry mucous: the perfect storm for morning “snot” buildup.
The “snot” accumulation may be more pronounced on one side due to a structural problem in the nose such as a deviated septum, says Dr. Silvers.
The structural problem can cause a narrowing in the nasal passage, resulting “in a greater force of air through the blocked nostril, drying out the membranes on the restricted side more than the other,” she continues.
Prevention of Morning Snot
“If natural or prescription regimens don’t help, a procedure may be helpful.”
An active cold, and allergies, may also be causes or contributing factors.
A humidifier over night will bring moisture to the air.
Rinsing the sinuses every morning using a neti pot (shown below) will be very helpful.
An NYC expert in ear, nose and throat care, Dr. Silvers has been named among America’s Top Physicians and Surgeons in facial plastic surgery and otolaryngology numerous times since 2003. Dr. Silvers is an expert in the field of minimally invasive rhinology, resolving patients’ breathing and sinus problems with simple in-office procedures.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/DimaBerlin
Can You Have Acid Reflux in the Throat but no Heartburn?
Find out how acid reflux can cause throat symptoms without causing heartburn.
Yes, indeed, it’s possible for acid reflux to make its way into the throat and cause its typical throat symptoms such as cough, without causing any heartburn or chest discomfort.
“Not everyone feels esophagitis, even if present,” says Jonathan Zinberg, MD, chief of gastroenterology at South Nassau Communities Hospital, Oceanside, NY.
“Occasionally there are no significant findings in the esophagus and only in the throat,” adds Dr. Zinberg.
“Perhaps their esophagus is more ‘resistant’ than most. Sometimes what looks to the ENT doctor like reflux-induced changes actually are not.”
Heartburn and Throat Symptoms not Always Connected
A burning sensation in the chest, and the various throat symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease (LPR) are not always intertwined.
Many sufferers of LPR’s classic throat related symptoms (hoarse voice, burning in the throat, lump feeling in the throat, unpleasant taste in the mouth) do not have any heartburn or upper abdominal discomfort.
You can easily have acid reflux in the throat causing symptoms there. All without feeling heartburn.
So the big question is: How do the acidic contents from your stomach “bypass” the esophagus and “settle” in the throat?
As Dr. Zinberg had pointed out, you can actually have an inflammatory process going on in the esophagus due to acid reflux and not even know it.
Or, maybe your esophagus is tough enough not to be so readily affected by the stomach’s harsh juices – but your vocal cords are more sensitive to them – resulting in your annoying symptoms.
“Thick mucous is produced to coat the throat when stomach acid goes into the larynx area,” says Stacey Silvers, MD, in my article about difficulty with swallowing from thick mucus in the back of the throat.
This is why the acidic juices that make their way up the esophagus can lead to symptoms involving the throat and mouth.
The absence of heartburn doesn’t mean the absence of acid reflux.
Jonathan Zinberg, MD
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: ©Lorra Garrick
Acid Reflux Chest Pain vs. How Angina Feels
Here is a comparison acid reflux symptoms to those of angina chest pain.
It’s no secret that a person with chest pain from angina can be misdiagnosed as having acid reflux or some other digestive issue.
This happened to my mother who, two days after the misdiagnosis, underwent quintuple bypass surgery after the correct diagnosis was made.
“Chest pain from reflux may be similar to angina pain, so if there’s any chance of cardiac disease, the patient should first consult a cardiologist (or internist) to rule out cardiac disease before embarking on any GI workup, especially if the patient is middle aged or older and hasn’t already had a cardiac evaluation,” says Jonathan Zinberg, MD, chief of gastroenterology at South Nassau Communities Hospital, Oceanside, NY.
“However, reflux pain is typically burning, though may be sharp, often after eating, especially after reclining or overnight. It usually lasts for a prolonged time (20 minutes to a few hours), but improves after an antacid or acid reducing agent.”
Angina Chest Pain
Dr. Zinberg continues, “Angina is typically a heavy sensation, but may be sharp or even burning, usually after activity, but could be after eating, usually is not at rest or reclining or in the middle of the night, but rarely could be so.”
My mother was one of those rare cases. She was awakened at 5 a.m. by chest pain (angina).
“It may be brief and improve with rest,” says Dr. Zinberg.
“If prolonged and not improved with an antacid, seek medical attention.”
Unstable Angina
Angina can occur while at rest, and this type is called unstable angina. “Unstable angina is dangerous and scary,” says Dr. Zinberg.
“It usually occurs in someone who already has a history of coronary disease and angina, and with worsening it may occur even at rest.”
Duration of Chest Pain
“In a setting where there is a reason to be concerned about cardiac disease, if the pain lasts longer than 15 or 20 minutes, medical attention should be sought.
“Known angina patients usually have nitroglycerine to take for acute angina symptoms.
“Otherwise, it’s worth taking an antacid or H2 receptor antagonist (like ranitidine or famotidine) to see if the heartburn will disappear. If it doesn’t, speak to a doctor.”
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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Top image: Shutterstock/airdone
Left Side Stomach Pain Worsens After Eating: Causes
Pain in the left side of your stomach after you eat can have serious causes including cancer but also benign causes.
Definitely see a doctor about this.
“This is a nonspecific symptom, has many causes, and will depend on the location and character of the patient and the pattern of exacerbation and relief,” says Michael Blume, MD, a gastroenterologist at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Baltimore.
IBS as a cause of pain in the left abdominal area following a meal.
“This often is seen in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, where one gets left sided cramps, associated with altered bowel function.”
Can causes also be serious?
Dr. Blume continues, “There are numerous causes of this, however, some of which are serious and some are not, including diverticulitis, malignancies, inflammatory diseases involving the bowel, as well as upper gastrointestinal problems.
“Looking up a symptom out of context is often not particularly helpful. Taking a detailed history concerning this symptom is the best way to help determine what the pain is from.
“A physician may or may not order an imaging study, depending on what he or she feels is likely the problem, based on assessing that particular person clinically.
“One normally does not automatically order an imaging study, such as CT or MRI on the basis of a complaint alone.
“One first has to decide what one thinks the problem is, and then decide what test is needed to confirm that impression.”
If you’ve been troubled by left sided abdominal pain after eating, chances are pretty high that your doctor will order an imaging study of that area of your body, such as a CT scan, MRI or ultrasound.
You’ll also probably get a blood test ordered.
Remember, there can be quite a few possible causes of this symptom.
In practice for 25+ years, Dr. Blume treats over 65 conditions including abdominal pain, appetite loss, blood in stool, celiac disease, colon cancer, esophageal and liver disease, gas and IBS.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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