Does Drinking Alcohol Make Our Tongue Swell?
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Feeling a bit wobbly, nauseous, and warm are well-known symptoms of intoxication. You may have even heard of some external effects of alcohol, such as tooth stains, tooth decay, and a lingering smell on our breath. But one side effect you may not have heard as much is a sore or swollen tongue.
Whether you’ve experienced a swollen tongue from alcohol or other external factors, it’s helpful to understand why it happens and how we can prevent it. All the systems in our body work together for our overall functioning. However, alcohol’s effect on our immune system is the main culprit for a swollen tongue.
Our immune system protects us from harmful substances to keep us healthy, but alcohol can undermine it through two main methods:
Moreover, alcohol stimulates our immune response and causes inflammation, sapping its resources. The result? We’re more vulnerable to diseases and infections.
Alcohol is a complex toxic substance that affects our body in many ways. To prevent a sore or swollen tongue, it is first important to determine the cause. Alcohol causes tongue swelling in three different ways:
A common side effect of drinking is dehydration, caused by alcohol’s diuretic properties. Alcohol blocks the release of vasopressin which signals to our kidneys to hold onto water until it is ready to be eliminated. Since alcohol blocks this signal, liquids reach our bladder more quickly, which explains our extra trips to the bathroom.
Inflammation of our tongue is just one way that our body communicates that we are dehydrated. When we are not properly hydrated, our body starts to decrease saliva production to preserve body fluids. This can lead to a dry tongue that starts to feel sore or swollen. Dehydration can also aggravate our papillae, which are the tiny bumps that cover our tongue that allow us to feel and taste. Our papillae can become inflamed, allowing bacteria to build up on our tongue and cause a white coating known as “white tongue.”
Another common cause of inflammation is an intolerance or allergy to alcohol. The two are mistakenly interchanged as they can have similar symptoms, but they have notable differences.
Blood tests can help identify an intolerance or allergy to alcohol. If we suspect that our swollen tongue is caused by an allergy or intolerance, it’s best to consult with a physician for individual medical instruction.
Glossitis is a condition marked by inflammation of the tongue. It is directly correlated with chronic and excessive alcohol consumption. While the exact cause is unclear, it’s theorized that prolonged injury to the tongue, oral disease, infection, and nutritional deficiency increase the risk of developing glossitis. Alcohol not only causes tongue swelling by provoking an immune response, but its harmful effects on other systems in our body can add to the risk of developing glossitis. The toxins in alcohol damage the cells in our body and affect nutrient uptake, all of which are speculated to cause glossitis. While inflammation is the primary symptom, several other symptoms could indicate glossitis:
A swollen tongue, no matter the cause, is extremely unpleasant. Let’s explore different methods that can ease our symptoms.
There’s no magic pill that can get rid of our swollen or sore tongue, but several remedies can help alleviate uncomfortable symptoms:
These methods can help reduce symptoms after the fact. However, addressing the root cause helps us eliminate tongue swelling.
Inflammation is our body sending a sign that something is wrong. Although we can relieve the symptoms of a swollen tongue, preventing it from happening through the following three practices is the best course for our health.
We’ve determined that alcohol can cause tongue swelling, but what if our tongue is already swollen? Drinking with a swollen tongue is not recommended as it can cause further health complications. When we have a swollen tongue, alcohol can further aggravate symptoms and lead to conditions such as oral thrush, ulcers, leukoplakia, lichens planus, and geographic tongue.
Along with developing into other oral health conditions, severe inflammation of the tongue can impact our daily functioning. It can be difficult to speak properly and can even impact our breathing and swallowing. This can easily turn into a medical emergency if our swollen tongue blocks our airway or causes a choking hazard. According to an analysis completed in 2021, the chance of death by choking is higher than death by plane accident or accidental gun discharge in the United States. Oral health is not always talked about, but can greatly affect our overall well-being.
As little as it’s talked about, alcohol can undoubtedly cause a swollen tongue. Whether it’s from dehydration, allergy, or excessive drinking, the discomfort of a swollen tongue is no joke. At the end of the day, home remedies and over-the-counter medications can help alleviate symptoms, but cutting back or quitting alcohol is the best way to prevent it from happening at all. Cutting back is an oral health hack!
1. Why do I get a sore tongue after drinking alcohol?
There are three main reasons why we may get a sore tongue after drinking. These reasons include dehydration, allergy, and permanent damage to our oral structures from excessive drinking.
2. Can I still drink if my tongue is sore?
It is not recommended to drink with an already sore tongue. Alcohol will aggravate symptoms and lead to potential permanent effects.
3. How long will it take for my swollen tongue to heal?
Recovery times will vary from person to person. There are methods to alleviate symptoms such as applying ice and taking medication.
4. My tongue feels weird after drinking alcohol. Is this normal?
Tongue swelling is a common experience for those of us who drink alcohol. However, it is indicative of a health issue and should be taken seriously.
5. How do I prevent alcohol tongue swelling?
Cutting back or quitting alcohol is the most effective method to prevent tongue swelling from alcohol.
6. What is white tongue?
White tongue is white patches or the appearance of a coating on the tongue. It often occurs in conjunction with a sore tongue, due to dehydration caused by alcohol.
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