When it comes to our health there are certain telltale symptoms many of us know to look for. However, sometimes these warning flags can appear in more unlikely places.
According to an expert, one such place is among the “biggest indicators” of our health, but is often ignored.
Chinese medicine practitioner Jiaming Ju explained that we can learn a “vast amount” from our tongues.
Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “By analysing them, we can determine how everything from our diet to the weather impacts us.
“The tongue serves as a mirror reflecting not just our oral health but also offering insights into our overall well-being.
“Its colour, texture, moisture level, and even the presence of coating can unveil a plethora of information about the body’s internal workings, serving as a diagnostic tool for various health conditions.”
If your tongue is healthy it should appear pink in colour, with a slightly rough surface – caused by tiny bumps on top, called papillae.”
Abnormal patches, lumps or spots could be a sign of mouth cancer and your dentist will look out for these during your check-up.
But there are some other worrying signs Jiaming, the founder of Kun Health, has mapped out.
Pale tongue
“This is a sign of blood deficiency accompanied by the following symptoms: chronic fatigue, long menstruation with pale bleeding, dizziness and dull headaches,” Jiaming said.
“The causes? Diet, anaemia and trauma. To resolve it, optimise digestive health and eat iron-rich foods.”
Creamy white spots or lesions should also trigger alarm bells.
Clinical director of Bupa, Sarah Ramage, said: “These can indicate a fungal infection, such as oral thrush. It’s usually harmless and can be easily treated with mouth gel from the pharmacy.”
It’s important not to ignore it because if left untreated, oral thrush may spread to other parts of your mouth or the back of your throat.
Scalloped edge
“Teeth marks on the edge of the tongue is a sign of Qi deficiency – the Chinese medicine term for life vitality,” Jiaming said.
The common symptoms include feeling sleepy or tired, especially after a big meal, muscle soreness for days after workouts and irregular menstruation.
“The cause? Poor digestive health and overworking,” she explained.
“Chew your food slowly, eat away from your desk/workplace, do gentle and consistent core exercises three times a week.”
Dry, intensely red tongue
Jiaming continued: “A dry intensely red tongue with no coating, often with cracks and smaller than the mouth is a sign of yin deficiency, which comes with the following symptoms: hot flashes in the afternoon, poor sleep, knee/lower back pain and a surge in appetite and thirst which is not met.”
She said these signs are largely caused by lifestyle, such as late nights and hectic schedules, and age, along with genetics.
Jiaming recommended avoiding spicy food and warm spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon.
A red or glossy tongue could also mean a folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency. And red sores, such as ulcers, could be a sign of stress.
Doctor Siobhan Deshauer – an internal medicine and rheumatology specialist, warned: “A normal healthy tongue is pink with little bumps called papillae on the surface but if your tongue looks like this red and smooth, we call this glossitis and it can be from a nutritional deficiency.”
Vitamin B12 is naturally found in many animal products such as meat, cheese and eggs.
Pale, wet and swollen tongue
“This is a sign of a yang deficiency accompanied by the following symptoms: feeling cold easily when the weather changes, seasonal affective disorder in the colder months, and lack of energy and motivation,” Jiaming added.
To help relieve symptoms, she advises brisk outdoor walking every day and getting sunlight, and keeping your feet warm to help with circulation.
If you’re concerned about a sore tongue or other symptoms you should speak to your GP.