Your mouth is one of the most useful parts of your body. The teeth, combined with the tongue and the gums are essential for your day to day life. Did you know that even your tongue can suffer from certain disorders? The medical condition, macroglossia occurs when a tongue is bigger than the average known size. Recognized by the NORD or the National Organization for Rare Disorders, macroglossia goes against the normal state of tongues, and hence the terms 'enlarged tongue' and 'giant tongue' are also used to describe it. If you want to know more about the causes, symptoms and possible treatments of this condition, then continue reading.

Causes

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), an enlarged tongue can be traced back to inherited or congenital disorders. For example, conditions like the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, acromegaly and even Down syndrome can lead to macroglossia. However, in certain cases, the disorder can also be because of an isolated hereditary trait. Macroglossia is also associated with acquired conditions in the medical world. These include some kinds of metabolic or endocrine conditions such as amyloidosis or hypothyroidism. In certain rare cases, cancers have also been known to cause enlarged tongues. Intense trauma can also lead the tongue to lengthen.

Symptoms

The disorder is rather easy to detect because of its physical nature. You will be able to feel your tongue becoming longer than its normal length. The tongue will start feeling too large in proportion to the size of the mouth. At times, it can even extend beyond your mouth and lips. As a result, there is a high chance of your teeth getting misaligned in the process. They may even protrude to accommodate the large tongue. You will face problems in your daily life because of the enlarged tongue. It will hinder activities like eating and talking. Macroglossia can also cause people to snore or breathe in a higher pitch than usual.

Diagnosis

No matter how visible the symptoms are you must get yourself checked out by a professional. Doctors will evaluate your family history and conduct a thorough physical exam in order to confirm the diagnosis of macroglossia. There are different medical tests for determining the cause of the enlarged tongue. The doctor will choose the most appropriate test for you based on the initial exam because there are a number of potential causes. You need not worry because the doctor will tell you all about the diagnostic testing.

Treatment

According to the NIH, there are different ways to treat macroglossia based on the cause and severity of the condition. If the cause is identifiable and treatable, then the treatment method is simple. Medical therapies can help eliminate the condition by curing the root disease. However, in certain cases, the cause cannot be identified for certain, and medical therapies are hence not an option. For mild cases of macroglossia, speech therapy can work, helping patients speak better. In the case that the condition is severe, it is best to use surgical reduction methods so that patients do not face problems during speech and eating. If you have an enlarged tongue, don’t wait. Consult one of the experts at your local dentist today!