Can’t Wait to Read the Healthy Tongue Secrets Book
Dear Tim,
Thank you for your quick response. I just wanted to let you know that my curiosity got the better of me so I downloaded your book. I just wanted to tell you that I am impressed so far. It looks like there is a lot of good info in your book even though some of it may not apply to me. I am really interested in nutrition already and am pretty health conscious so I love learning new things.
I have just had time so far to skim through it and then went right to the part on tongue fissures/indentations. Luckily my tongue is not anywhere near as bad as the one in the picture but I still found that a lot of what you said applied to me. Continue reading
In Eight Days I am Totally Changed!!!
Dear Tim,
Thank you for saving me…YES, saving me. Without your hard work and e-book I’m not sure the condition I would be in today.
I have suffered geographical tongue for perhaps two years. My doctor said, “You picked the wrong parents, it’s nothing to worry about, it’s painless.” Sound familiar? I tried to forget it but it became increasingly harder to do.
I searched the internet for info and gathered bits and pieces but nothing concrete. I had all but given up when I tried, years later, to search the internet again. I wasn’t hopeful because I had looked before. But this time I found your site…the site that would change my life in more ways than one. Continue reading
Geographic Tongue while Pregnant & Nursing
Dear Tim,
I got geographic tongue while pregnant and still have it (I am still nursing). It has gotten worse.
At first I was wondering if your system would work on pregnancy induced geo tongue but I have to tell you this- I started on the treatment you mentioned and my tongue cleared up in two days! Continue reading
Welcome to Healthy Tongue Secrets!
Do you hate the sight of your tongue?
Are you afraid of what others will think if they see your tongue?
Is your tongue getting worse? Or just not getting better?
Have you ever wondered if your Tongue is trying to tell you something?
Perhaps… You have a feeling that something just “isn’t right” with your tongue?
Or Maybe you are just tired of the way your tongue looks
If you (or someone you know) has Geographic Tongue or some other tongue problem and you just want to know how to get rid of it ….
You have come to the right place!
At Healthy Tongue Secrets we are dedicated to helping you find solutions to your tongue problems whether it be Geographic Tongue, Burning Mouth Syndrome, Black Hairy tongue, Thrush (yeast mouth) or a variety of other tongue and mouth problems.
Order the newly updated Treating and Beating Geographic Tongue and Other Tongue Problems ebook
Many people have asked me, “Why did you spend hundreds of hours putting all this valuable information into a book?”
That is a long story beginning many years ago…
Back when I was a teenager, my dad worked for Pan Am (that dates me a bit since they went out of business in 1991), but anyway because my dad worked for the airlines we were able to travel quite a bit ( a habit I have kept up by the way). One year we went to Ireland and Germany… and another year we went to Mexico. And that is where my troubles began.
It seems that during that trip to Mexico I picked up a bad case of “Montezuma’s revenge” or traveler’s diarrhea. It was the worst case I have ever had, it seems like I spent half the trip in the bathroom. But after a while, I seemed to recover. The operative word there is “seemed”…
Throughout High School, I had recurring bouts of intestinal problems and was diagnosed by my Doctor as having an “Irritable Bowel.” According to him I was too stressed out about school and so the problem in my stomach was really in my head! Well, things got progressively worse and eventually I was diagnosed with “Crohn’s Disease”. The diagnosis didn’t help much and I continued to have problems. I made it through a private engineering college where I began learning the keys to doing good research which eventually led to saving my life.
You see, I got by like most college kids I ate a lot of junk food and put on quite a bit of weight. But after college, the Crohn’s disease started acting up again and I started losing weight. A friend of mine accused me of being anorexic but the fact of the matter was it was just too painful to eat! I would eat a few bites and then be in such pain that I would literally roll around on the floor. Obviously, it was difficult to eat under those conditions. So I went to doctor after doctor. And during this time I developed white patches on my tongue that seemed to migrate around. I later discovered that it was a combination of thrush (yeast) and geographic tongue.
During the treatment process for the Crohn’s disease I found that antibiotics killed the thrush (temporarily) but once I stopped them the thrush would come back worse than ever! Eventually I got down to 95 pounds and looking like something out a concentration camp. At that point I was desperate and I finally convinced a doctor to do something and that something was surgery. He removed about 1/3rd of my intestines and afterward I was feeling wonderful … I could eat again!
Except that after the surgery, I developed a really bad case of Geographic Tongue. And so on one of my follow-up visits with the surgeon I asked him about it and he nonchalantly said oh we removed the only portion of your intestines that absorbs certain vitamins so you are probably deficient in that… you will need to take injections for the rest of your life.
Uh, well wouldn’t it have been nice if you had told me that before? Not that it would have prevented me from having the surgery but I could have started on the injections earlier and had less problems but then I may not have discovered…
The Nutritional Basis of Many Tongue Problems
Interestingly, after starting the injections I found that my Geographic Tongue was gone! At least as long as I took the injections regularly. That was my first clue that Geographic tongue can be nutritionally based! Remember I said that my Geographic Tongue started before my surgery… well that portion of my intestines was diseased and wasn’t absorbing nutrients properly then either. Unfortunately, since everyone is different, it isn’t the only cause but it is certainly a good place to start. (Actually, I have found at least a dozen different tongue problems that are documented to be specifically related to nutritional deficiencies. Things like Bald spots on tongue, Beefy enlarged tongue, Bleeding gums, Burning tongue , cracked tongue, tooth-marks on tongue, Mouth ulcers, Purple or magenta tongue, Red Tipped Tongue, Scalloped Tongue, Shiny smooth Tongue, and a White-coated tongue, plus many more.
If you think you can’t possibly be deficient, don’t be so sure. My wife was just talking to our chiropractor the other day and he said…
95% of Americans are deficient in zinc alone.
And that’s not surprising since a recent USDA study showed that only 4% of Americans are getting the minimum recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of their essential vitamins. Another US Government survey found that out of 21,000 people surveyed, NOT ONE of them managed to eat the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of the ten basic nutrients studied.
It’s hard to believe not one out of 21,000 are getting all the vitamins they need…
But when you think about it, maybe it’s not so hard to believe. What with eating habits today, all the “junk food” and all the chemical fertilizers used to grow it…
But it’s not your fault, even if you try to eat healthily… did you know that you would have to eat 60 servings of spinach just to get the same amount of iron as in one serving in 1948?
So what are the odds that you are getting what you need? Pretty slim right?
Once I discovered the link between Nutrition and my tongue…
I started using the research skills I had developed in college to research nutrition, and natural ways of healing. Not that I avoided doctors all together… because after about a year the pains started coming back! I was devastated. It was one of the worst days of my life. I had put on a bit of weight by then and I didn’t want to go back to being a walking skeleton! In addition, my geographic tongue was getting worse.
During this time I had moved from New York (where I thought the “best” doctors were) to a small town in central Virginia. So I had to try to find a new Gastroenterologist (stomach and intestines doctor). I was fortunate in find a young doctor who wasn’t afraid to try things. He did some tests to confirm that the Crohn’s was back (and it was) and after another year of “conventional” treatments, he said, “We found that this medicine works in some cases of Crohn’s disease but we don’t know why, do you want to try it?” I jumped at the chance! I would do anything not to have to go back to the pain and suffering I had previously had.
So he prescribed a medicine called “Flagyl” 3 pills a day for a total of 10 days. But this time before starting I did some research. I found that Flagyl is used for a variety of things. First, I found it is used to treat alcoholics. It seems that it makes you sick to even smell alcohol while taking Flagyl. But I didn’t think that was the reason it helps Crohn’s disease.
Then I found that it is used around the world to kill intestinal bacteria. Hmmm, my problems started with that problem in Mexico… So I developed a plan to introduce good bacteria into my system after killing off all the bad stuff with the Flagyl. It worked! My Crohn’s was gone, my overall health was improving and my tongue was doing much better! And so another step in my system of promoting health was forming.
Two Steps to Eliminating Geographic Tongue
So the first step I found in controlling geographic tongue is proper nutrition.
The second step is intestinal health which includes developing healthy intestinal “flora”. Thus ensuring proper absorption of nutrients and better overall health.
How I Started Sharing My Discovery
A couple of years ago, Allison, a friend of mine began losing weight, at first it looked good on her (I thought she’d gone on a diet or something) but before long I knew there was a problem. One day while we were discussing her problems she showed me her tongue and all those painful memories of wasting away and anxiously searching for a solution to my problem came flooding back.
I knew I had to do something to help her. It turned out that Allison had fibromyalgia which caused severe pain whenever she ate. Naturally, not being “into” pain, she would stop eating before she had gotten enough calories to maintain her normal weight. And somehow this resulted in geographic tongue, so I began compiling some of my old research into a report I could give to Allison. In addition, I turned my research abilities toward finding even more information for my friend.
As I found more and more pieces of the geographic tongue puzzle, the project expanded and seemed to take on a life of its own. Eventually it covered a variety of tongue problems, as I found more and more inter-relationships between the various tongue problems and health in general.
The Tongue is the “Health Meter” of the Body
One of the interesting facts I discovered was that your tongue is actually kind of like a health meter for the body. Naturally, its obvious that a healthy body has a healthy tongue but a weakened body has a sick tongue. For thousands of years doctors have been asking patients to stick out their tongue and using the signs and conditions they observe to help determine the overall state of the body.
When the body needs something it starts a chain reaction that results in the tongue showing the symptoms. The symptoms could be a white coating, or cracks, or even bald patches with white rings (as in Geographic Tongue). Think of your tongue like a “Gas Gauge” indicating when your body is low on something.
Once I had the Key… I had to share it.
Once I had done all that research compiling this report for Allison, I couldn’t live with myself if I kept this important knowledge to myself so I have decided to share my secret discovery with those who are really interested in getting well.
So I have put this site together and compiled all my research into a huge “Tongue Encyclopedia” called “Treating and Beating Geographic Tongue and Other Tongue Problems”.
Retired Schoolteacher and geographic tongue sufferer Dorothy Chalmers of Scotland says,
“Well done in producing this excellent resource for the world! It is pure genius… your book is absolutely fantastic!”
You don’t want to wait a second longer than necessary to get that healthy tongue, do you?
So, when you order the “Treating and Beating Geographic Tongue and Other Tongue Problems” e-book you’ll be able to download it instantly and as a bonus in a few minutes we will email you our Doctor recommended Vitamin program specifically targeted to patients with Geographic Tongue. That means you can begin seeing a healthier tongue in as little as 7 to 10 days. I really don’t need to give you a big sales pitch. If your tongue is a mess you need this book. Here is what Karen says,
Hi Tim,
I just read the table of contents of your book. WOW. I had no idea that you covered so much. I had so many of the problems.
Karen Anderson
Here is what is in the book… decide for yourself
(You won’t find all this information in one place anywhere else):
 Cover |
 Contents |
 Index |
Order Treating and Beating Geographic Tongue and Other Tongue Problems Now
Feel Free to browse the site:
There are Articles on:
Is There a Cure for Geographic Tongue?
3 Words Doctors say about Geographic Tongue that Make Me Mad!
At Last! A Solution for Geographic Tongue Without Pain, Embarrassment, or Doctors
Geographic Tongue in Various Age Groups
Pregnancy, Nursing and Geographic Tongue
College Student Eliminates Geographic Tongue in 1 Month Naturally
Geographic Tongue in Menopause
Save Your Smile, Stop Grinding Your Teeth
In Eight Days I am Totally Changed!!!
Geographic Tongue while Pregnant & Nursing
Gluten Intolerance and Geographic Tongue
Gluten Intolerance
Although not commonly associated with it, there is evidence that a sensitivity to gluten might play a part in Geographic Tongue. Gluten is a sticky substance that is part of wheat that helps hold bread together. Unfortunately, many people are sensitive to it. If you have this sensitivity it is called Celiac Disease (or Sprue) and eating gluten or wheat, (and to a lesser extent Rye and other grains) can cause stomach pain and actually damage your intestines.
According to the National Library of Medicine people with gluten intolerance are more likely to develop a variety of other problems including Addison’s Disease which can result in a “pigmented tongue” as a result of reduced adrenal function.
I have often said that your tongue is a meter of your health and so it appears in some cases Geographic Tongue may actually indicate a sensitivity to gluten. So one of the recommendations in Dr. Ackerman’s vitamin program contained in my “Treating and Beating Geographic Tongue and Other Tongue Problems” book is that you eliminate gluten from your diet. This does not help in all cases of Geographic Tongue but if gluten sensitivity is your problem then it will certainly help.
In a recent article, Dr. Blaylock answered a question about gluten sensitivity and said, “most such gluten-sensitive patients have impaired mineral and vitamin absorption” which fits very well with a correlation I’ve found between vitamin deficiencies and Geographic Tongue. So the gluten may in fact be causing the vitamin deficiency resulting in the Geographic Tongue.
Read Dr. Blaylock’s full Comments: Treating Gluten Intolerance
Treating Geographic Tongue- Steroids are not the Answer!
Many “experts” will tell you, ”Geographic tongue is a common tongue problem that normally responds to topical steroids” they often add “antifungal and antibacterial medications may be used for symptomatic cases and topical or systemic cortisone or prednisone may also be effective”.
In other words, spread some steroid paste on your tongue and it will look better.
At first you may think “that sounds good… maybe I have finally found a cure for this problem!”
But if you listen carefully… the next statement you hear the “experts” say should send up bright Red warning flags and clanging alarms! “We do not know the cause of geographic tongue and treatment does not permanently cure it”.
Wait a minute what’s that, you say? Throw some steroids at it and maybe it will go away, for a little while? Aren’t steroids dangerous? Continue reading
Is There a Cure for Geographic Tongue?
Nope! At least that is what the Doctors say!
Ask any doctor… and he will tell you that there is no cure for Geographic Tongue.
Then he will hasten to add that it is “Benign”… meaning it won’t kill you.
But that’s little consolation if it’s your tongue that is an ugly mass of bald patches, white rings, cracks or whatever. In the next few minutes, I’m going to “give it to you straight” “pull no punches” because you deserve to know the truth and you may not get it anywhere else.
Just because Doctors say Geographic Tongue is incurable doesn’t mean there’s no hope.
Let me explain. When a doctor tells you it is “incurable” all he means is that he doesn’t have a “magic bullet” for it.
After all not long ago infections were “incurable”…
but then along came penicillin and everything changed.
What your doctor doesn’t know is that…
Geographic Tongue is Different
How to Get Rid of a Hairy Tongue
Hairy tongue may sound like something straight out of a science fiction movie, and it does look every bit as frightening as its name suggests. However, there’s no need to be alarmed. Hairy tongue is harmless and easily treatable.
Hairy tongue, or lingua villosa, is a fairly common condition that is usually caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or fungi in the mouth. This overgrowth prevents your tongue’s skin cells from shedding, aggravating the buildup in your mouth. As the name suggests, it causes your tongue to look black, and in some cases even brown, white, green or any variety of color.
Why is it hairy? Your tongue’s surface is covered by what is generally known as the papilla, which is basically cone-shaped projections on your tongue. There are four kinds of papilla that can be found in your tongue, namely:
- the foliate papillae, which can be found at the base of your tongue
- the fungiform papilla, which distinguishes the five tastes
- the circumvallate papillae, which can be generally found at the middle of your tongue
- the filiform papilla, which covers two-thirds of your tongue. It does not contain taste buds, and its function seems to be mainly abrasive in nature.
One of your body’s functions is to shed the outer shell of your skin, called desquamation. This includes your tongue and in the case of hairy tongue, the overgrowth of bacteria or yeast impedes your tongue from shedding old cells to replace them with new ones. This results into hairlike growth or extensions on your tongue, a combination of accumulated bacteria or fungi, and old skin cells.
Causes
Many habits and conditions contribute to the development of hairy tongue, but it’s usually caused by poor oral hygiene translating to bacterial and fungi buildup in our mouths.
Other causes of hairy tongue include smoking tobacco, drinking too much coffee or tea, dehydration, using medication or other products that contain bismuth, excessive use of mouthwashes, alcohol, dry mouths or a lack of saliva and even radiation therapy to the neck or head. It may also be caused by your inability to produce enough saliva in your mouth and dehydration. While hairy tongue is observed to occur more to avid coffee and tea drinkers as well as tobacco smokers, there is no definitive study on what the exact cause of hairy tongue is; however, it’s been generally agreed upon that you have a higher chance of getting hairy tongue when you’re older due to the cumulative effects of those who are long-time smokers and coffee-drinkers.
Hairy tongue may also present itself in people who take intravenous drugs or are infected with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus or HIV.
Hairy tongue is not painful. Most people do not feel any discomfort at the onset of hairy tongue; however, they may feel a tickling feeling at the roof of the mouth, a metallic taste in the mouth, halitosis, nausea, and in severe cases, gagging.
People who have hairy tongue may also be susceptible to a secondary infection of Candida albicans, also known as mouth thrush. You may have developed this if you feel a burning sensation on your tongue.
Treatment
Teeth and Mouth Care. Good oral hygiene is usually the key to preventing and even getting rid of hairy tongue. Brush your teeth three times a day. You should also brush you tongue gently twice a day, using a soft toothbrush. You may also use a tongue scraper or even an inverted tablespoon to thoroughly clean the area. Brushing your tongue will wear away the overgrowth of pappilae that’s built up in your mouth
Water World. Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth clean and to prevent your mouth from going dry. You can also rinse your mouth with diluted peroxide water, that is one part peroxide to five parts water. Rinse it again with water afterwards. You can also use salycilic acid or apply topical retinoids to your tongue.
Creams. Hairy tongue may also be caused by a fungal infection, and you may use antifungal creams to treat it accordingly.
Diet. Alter your diet. Your diet may be composed of excessive soft foods so add some variety and more roughage, as soft food won’t clean off your tongue effectively. This food usually pertains to those with a harder, rougher texture such as apples and pears.
Kick the Habit. Hairy tongue is most likely to occur to those who drink coffee and tea heavily, as well as tobacco-smokers. If you fall under one of these categories, lessen your coffee and tea consumption, if you cannot give it up completely, and smoke less. Giving up tobacco smoking also has other health benefits so do consider doing that as well.
Go Pro. If the suggested treatments do not work, consult your dentist or doctor. If your hairy tongue is caused by bacteria, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics as treatment.
Tthe infected pappilae may also be removed using techniques such as carbon dioxide laser burning and electrodessication. Don’t worry, both procedures require a local anesthetic and the infected tissue will be scraped off using a special tool. Carbon dioxide laser burning is usually used for surgical procedures on your skin because your skin absorbs this light very well.
Keep in mind that hairy tongue is different from a condition called hairy leukoplakia, a condition where the side of your tongue appears to have a white fuzzy or corrugated patch. This is usually seen in severe cases of immunodeficiency — that is, if your immune system is very weak.
Hairy tongue, while widely considered a benign condition, is not something that you’d want waking up to. After all, your hair belongs on your head, not on your tongue. As always, prevention is always the best cure, and practicing good oral hygiene, brushing your teeth and tongue twice a day, keeping yourself well-hydrated, and having moderate, if not less consumption of coffee, tea and tobacco, will go a long way in helping you get rid of that nasty hairy tongue.
Article complements of howtogetridofstuff.com.
Editor’s Note: As noted above, Black Hairy Tongue can be a result of Fungal infections. These include Candida or Yeast. If you look closely at the picture above you can see the coating on the tongue is actually white around the edges. In order for fungal infections to become this serious it has to be systemic (throughout your system) already. Simply treating the symptom (the tongue) is short-sighted and probably won’t work in the long run (although it may help in the short run). Watch this brief video on treating systemic problems.
Is There a Cure for Geographic Tongue?
How to Cure Candida
Watch this Video on All the problems Ryan had because of Systemic Candida.
Click for More Info on How to Cure Candida
Is There a Cure for Geographic Tongue?
