Emphysema

Emphysema Emphysema belongs to group of diseases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking is the major cause of emphysema and most of the time the damages done to the lungs are irreversible. Emphysema cannot be cured and only some of the symptoms are treated. Medications and oxygen supplements are effective methods of treating emphysema. Emphysema is a chronic disorder affecting the quality of life for long-term.

How it happens?

As a person smokes, nicotine in the cigar reaches the lungs to cause damage to the air sacs or alveoli. As more and more of nicotine damages the air sacs the soft tissues are destroyed forming big spaces inside. Now air gets trapped in this space leading to enlargement of lungs building more pressure inside (pulmonary hypertension). The air sacs called alveoli are continuously damaged in the lungs leading to shortness of breath. Inner walls of these sacs are weakened and subsequently they will rupture forming a big space inside the lungs.

This will reduce the total area of the lungs which would have a direct effect on oxygen consumption. The lungs may not be able to breathe properly since it cannot get oxygenated air as before. To compensate the loss of oxygen the body automatically increases the breathing rate. After some days or weeks, increased rate of breathing is not enough to maintain the required oxygen consumption. Subsequently the lungs get narrowed leading to pulmonary hypertension.

Symptoms :

There are lots of people who may not have any symptoms for years together but still the process of emphysema is slowly happening inside the lungs. It causes shortness of breath and choking. But even at this stage the person will avoid doing certain activities that require more of oxygen and hence he may ignore the symptom. The problem will get noticed when the affected person have difficulty in managing daily tasks. For some people due to loss of oxygenated blood, fingernails will become blue in color. Even their mental stability will get diminished.

Causes :

Smoking is the main cause of emphysema. In addition, air pollution, long time exposure to tobacco smoke (passive smoking) and workplace related smoke like fumes can also cause emphysema. In rare cases emphysema is inherited due to protein deficiency.

Risk Factors :

Smoking of any kind, old age, over exposure to any kind of smoke and workplace related fumes are the major risk factors for emphysema. In severe case, emphysema can collapse the lungs leading to life threatening situations. It can also cause heart problems.

Tests :

After collecting the medical history the doctor would ask for the symptoms of shortness of breath and choking. He would request for imaging test like chest X-ray to check how far the disease has advanced. Blood test is done for checking the capacity of lungs to transfer the oxygen into the body. Special lung function test can also be done to measure the functionality of the lungs.

Treatment :

The damage caused by emphysema is irreversible. Some of the symptoms can be managed by effective medications and therapy. Bronchodilators and corticosteroid drugs are largely used for managing shortness of breath. To treat bacterial infection on the lungs, antibiotics are prescribed.

Therapies like pulmonary rehabilitation are helpful in learning various breathing exercises. In addition the affected person will be asked to take nutritious food to manage the right weight. For some people supplementary oxygen is needed at home and workplace. Surgery is done only if the symptoms are severe. Lung transplantation is done only if there is no other option. For some people, small volumes of the lungs that are badly damaged are removed by surgery.

Lifestyle Changes :

To begin with the person has to quit smoking to prevent further damage. Avoid working in allergy prone environment like fumes and automobile smoke. Stay away from strong perfumes and incense sticks. Do your exercise regularly which helps in getting rid of breathing problems. Keep your home clean and pollution free. Take precautions during winter by wearing scarf to protect your lungs from cold air. Use face mask when you need to mingle with people since you may get infection from them.

Pictures of Emphysema :

Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Emphysema

Coping :

Even the daily routine activities can become tiresome for you, if you cannot breathe properly. You can no longer take place in long time entertainment. Accept this change and join a support group to express your feelings.

Prevention :

Avoid smoking completely and do not get involved even with passive smoking. This can only prevent you from emphysema.

Menieres Disease

Menieres Disease Meniere’s disease affects the inner ear causing ear fullness, ringing and loss of hearing. There will be constant spinning motion inside the ears and pressure on the inner ear. The flow of fluids will not be at normal rate for the person affected with Meniere’s disease. Very often, it affects only one ear. Though this disease can develop on people of any age, it occurs largely on adults of 40-50 years. Medications are available for controlling the symptoms and many times diet and little changes in lifestyle can help you to overcome the symptoms. In rare cases, surgery is the option.

Symptoms :

Vertigo Episodes :

There will be a sensation of spinning movement inside the ears. It is very much like the feeling you get when you stop suddenly after spinning for several times. It causes loss of balance and it occurs almost suddenly without any warning. This episode may last for few minutes or even hours. It can cause vomiting/nausea.

Hearing loss :

Loss of hearing is not certain in all the people affected with Meniere’s disease and it depends on the intensity of the disease. It can cause certain degree of hearing loss and for some it can be permanent.

Tinnitus :

It is a feeling of constant ringing sound in the ear and many people complain this as roaring sound or whistling sound inside the ears. In addition, there will be fullness feeling in the ear due to increased pressure caused by flow of fluids. First it starts with fullness feeling followed by tinnitus followed by vertigo. The entire episode may occur for 20-30 minutes or even more. Since there is variation in the duration of the episodes, it can cause mild to severe disturbance in hearing.

Causes :

Exact cause of Meniere’s disease is not known. It is believed to develop due to excess flow of fluids in the inner ear. If you look into the inner ear, you can see a group of cavities and passages. The outer part of inner ear is made of bony labyrinth and inner portion is called as membrane labyrinth. This membrane portion contains endolymph (a special fluid) and has a lining of hairy structures which respond to fluid movements. For these sensors of hairy structures to function properly, the fluid should maintain constant volume and pressure. However if there is excess of fluid pressure it can lead to Meniere’s disease. Certain factors like migraine, abnormal immunity, improper fluid drainage and viral infection can affect the fluid quantity and pressure.

Diagnosis :

Based on the symptoms your doctor will refer the case to ENT specialist who will do hearing assessment. Audiometry test will be done for checking the functionality of the ears and how far you can hear different pitches. Quality of hearing can be assessed by this test and your doctor will also able to tell you if the problem is due to nerve of the inner ear or due to Meniere’s disease.

For testing the balance function, VNG videostagmography test is done during which warm/cool water or cool air is sent into the inner ear and subsequently your eye movements are recorded using special goggles. Any abnormality in this test is a clear sign of problem in the inner ear. Alternatively rotary chair test or VEMP test or posturography test is done for checking the inner ear function. Sometimes you will be asked to undergo various imaging tests like MRI or CT scan to rule out other problems in the brain.

Treatment :

There is no cure for Meniere’s disease but there are solutions for managing the symptoms. The condition of vertigo episodes can be controlled by medications like meclizine which would reduce the rotating sensation inside the inner ear. Drugs like promethazine are given to control nausea/vomiting sensation due to vertigo. Fluid retention is managed by several effective medications like Dyazide or Maxzide. It helps in reducing the body fluid which in turn would control the flow of fluid inside the ears. These drugs are effective diuretic. But you need to check for fluid balance regularly since it may cause depletion of some important minerals due to frequent urination.

Some kinds of non-invasive therapies like rehab therapy and hearing aid are effective in managing Meniere’s disease. Vestibular rehab therapy is ideal to attain the right balance easily. Your brain and body will effectively regain the balancing ability by practicing certain exercises. Hearing aid is recommended for restoring the loss of hearing. For some people, meniett device is used to apply pressure on the middle ear which can improve fluid transfer.

An injection like gentamicin is injected into the middle ear and for some people steroids like dexamethasone is given to reduce the vertigo episodes and to attain balance. Surgery is the last option for this disease and is done only if the symptoms are severe and other therapies are ineffective. Endolymphatic procedure or vestibular nerve procedure is done for decreasing the vertigo and for retaining fluid balance. For some people labryinthectomy is done during which the affected portion of the ear is removed and is done only if the patient has lost his hearing in that particular ear.

Lifestyle Changes :

You cannot solve the symptoms by home remedies but you can reduce its impact very well. If you are feeling dizzy due to vertigo episode you should sit down calmly when you get the first sign. Avoid seeing bright lights or watching television during that time. Take some rest after you have got an episode to restore your balance. Illuminate your house properly so that you may not fell down when you get up during nights. People having frequent vertigo should avoid driving motorcycle or car to prevent any accidental injury.

Adjust your eating pattern such that you are getting enough food/drinks throughout the day. You can opt for 5-6 small meals instead of 3 hefty meals. Reduce the salt intake to prevent fluid retention. You need to avoid taking coffee since it can make the ringing sound worse. Quit smoking and drinking and reduce your stress by joining yoga class. You can avoid allergy causing agents and stay away from them since it can aggravate the symptoms. The only worst part of Meniere’s disease is sudden episodes of vertigo and tinnutis. Under such circumstances the person should take break from his workplace to lie down quietly. He cannot have entertainment during such episodes. Some people can get depressed or feel anxious because of this episode and cannot take part in leisure activities.

Gaucher Disease

Gaucher Disease Gaucher disease is characterized by the accumulation of fat particles in excess in the vital organs like liver, lungs, spleen and bone marrows. This collection of harmful fatty molecules can cause intense bone pain and organ swelling. This condition occurs due to the shortage of enzyme glucocerebrosidase and hence this disease is also called as glucocerebrosidase deficiency. Gaucher disease can develop in all age groups and often seen in Jewish people of Central Europe and Eastern European countries.

Symptoms :

Symptoms of Gaucher disease vary as per the age, health condition and type of the disease. It is possible that even identical twins can have different range of symptoms.

There are 3 types of Gaucher’s disease as given below :

Type 1 :

Type 1 is the mildest form of this disease and is the most common variety. This type largely occurs in adults. Some of the signs of Type 1 disease are thinning of bones, intense pain on the bones, liver enlargement (hepatomegaly) or enlargement of spleen, reduced production of red blood cells (anemic condition), extreme tiredness, reduced blood platelets (causing bruises often), delay in puberty and yellow patches on the eyes. Often, this type does not affect the brain.

Type 2 :

This type is very rare and is severe when compared with the other two types. Initial symptoms begin as early as 3 months of age and the babies will have intense brain damage as the disease progresses. The symptoms are very severe like that of first type and in addition the affected baby can develop seizures, brain problems and stiffness. Often, the baby is diagnosed for mental retardation.

Type 3 :

Type 3 is also very rare and occurs in childhood. This type is chronic and slow progressing in nature. It also affects the brain as the Type 2 but the damage is milder than type 2. Apart from the symptoms mentioned in Type 1, the affected child may develop brain problems (in slower rate), lack of muscle coordination and may show abnormal eye movements.

Causes :

Gaucher disease is caused by deficiency of glucocerebrosidase enzyme. This enzyme is essential for breaking up of fatty particles and due to shortage of enzyme fatty substances get accumulated in various organs and brain and even on the bone marrow. It can be inherited on the basis of autosomal recessive pattern. For a child to inherit this disease, both the father and the mother should be carriers of mutated gene. Even then the child can develop this disease only on chances. There is 25% chance for inheriting the carrier genes, 25% chance for developing Gaucher disease and 50% chance for not inheriting the carrier genes/and not this disease.

Who are at risk?

People belonging to Ashkenazi Jewish race of Central Europe or Eastern Europe have increased risk of getting this disease. In rare cases, this disease can cause complications like severe bone pain, fractures, internal bleeding, and multiple myeloma (a type of cancer). Developing seizures are common if the child gets Type 2 disease and some children having Type 3 can develop heart problems due to calcification of valves.

Diagnosis :

Diagnosis can be made right before the child-birth if the parents are carriers of mutated gene. The doctor will measure the levels of enzyme glucocerebrosidase and very low level indicates the presence of disease and intermediate level can be a sign of carrier. Genetic mutation test is done to identify the type of Gaucher disease.

It is necessary to monitor the disease once your child is diagnosed with this disease. On such cases, MRI scanning and dual energy X-ray tests are done as per the symptoms. Prenatal screening is done for the pregnant women if she belongs to Ashkenazi race. Genetic counseling is the best solution to avoid pregnancy among both carrier genes.

Treatment :

People with Type 1 symptoms may not require any treatment if they do not have any discomfort. No treatment is available for Type 2 and 3. Only the symptoms are managed by therapies. Enzyme replacement is done to improve the deficiency of glucocerebrosidase. High dosage of enzyme is injected intravenously for every 2 weeks until the symptoms disappear. This approach can certainly prevent enlargement of spleen/liver. It can also improve bone density preventing fractures. In severe cases transplantation of bone marrow can be done but it carries certain risk. Medications like miglustat are prescribed for adults with Gaucher disease. But this drug can cause diarrhea and weight loss.

Prognosis :

If the disease develops in adulthood it may not cause severe complications and the affected person can lead normal life. But infants and children having this disease cannot survive more than 2 years. An individual developing this disease on his teens have chances of survival like other adults. It is a very rare disease affecting only a few people of specific race.

Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexplained Weight Loss Losing weight without making effort can be described as unexplained weight loss. This can be warning signal of underlying medical issue. Your body weight is largely based on what you eat and how your lifestyle is. Amount of calorie intake is the main factor to decide your weight. Under normal health conditions, a person’s weight will remain stable after he reaches adulthood. It is common to add/lose few pounds which are not a concern medically.

A person is said to have unexplained weight loss if he loses 10 pounds in a month or even more without making any effort. This problem can be due to various medical issues like depression, diabetes, cancer, thyroid problem or other infectious diseases. Treatment can be given only if the underlying medical problem is identified.

Causes :

Any problem in thyroid gland secretion can alter your weight. It can occur due to hyperthyroidism, celiac disease, Addison’s disease, mal-absorption, heart failure, infectious diseases like TB, or due to peptic ulcer. Heart disease, kidney problems and liver infection can cause loss of weight in due course. Chronic arthritis and lung infection can cause weight loss.

During adolescence, some people will develop eating disorders which will lead to unexplained weight loss. They are constantly under the obsession of maintaining their physique and refuse to eat or drink anything on the fear of losing their image. For some people, significant weight loss occurs after stressful event like loss of loved ones, and sudden loss of job etc. On that case, it has to be dealt by psychologist. Counseling will be helpful to overcome the loss and feel happy again. Subsequently the person will regain his normal weight once he comes out of depressive thoughts.

Symptoms :

There is no specific symptom of unexplained weight loss except the loss of weight. The person may not have the regular appetite and he will become weak and tired gradually. Loss of appetite can be due to eating disorder like anorexia nervosa or due to other medical conditions.

Diagnosis :

Your doctor will collect all necessary medical information from you and your family. He will refer your case to psychiatrist to check if there is any mental disorder like anxiety/depression. He would request for various procedures like blood test, urine analysis, renal function test, thyroid function test, liver function test, and various other tests for checking absorption of nutrition. He would rule out other possible disorders like eating disorders.

Treatment :

Doctor will first diagnose the root cause of unexplained weight loss and accordingly give medications and treatment. In case the patient has eating disorder the doctor will give treatment accordingly.

Trichotillomania

Trichotillomania Trichotillomania can be simply described as “hair pulling disorder” where one gets the urge to remove the hair from the scalp or eyebrows on compulsion. Pulling of hair can leave bald spots on the scalp which may reduce the personality of the concerned person. People affected with this disorder will do anything to conceal the hair-loss. The range of disorder can be mild to very severe which can cause discomfort and stress for the concerned person. The reaction of pulling out hair is irresistible and can be overwhelming. This disorder can be treated with psychotherapy and medications.

Symptoms :

The affected person will repeatedly pull his hair from the scalp or eyebrows or other parts of his body. It would cause increased tension for the person if the pulling action is stopped. He or she will be at comfort only after certain hair is pulled out. A sense of pleasure/relief will be achieved after pulling.

The concerned person will have thin hair or short hair on the scalp and other areas and for some the eyebrows would be totally missing. They will also bite/chew or eat the pulled out hair. Some people will retain the hair and engage in playing with it. Most of them will also constantly bite their nails and chew their lips resulting in bleeding. This action of “pulling hair” will be done in privacy and not in public.

For some people the action of pulling hair can be focused (pulling out right hair from exact place) or it can be automatic (without their realization) which can be involuntary. Trichotillomania is a chronic disorder and should be treated failing which the symptoms can become severe. And most of them will hide their problem and wear wigs or hats to cover the baldness.

Causes :

Exact reason for “hair pulling” action is not yet identified. It can be due to hormonal imbalance, abnormal nerve signals that control emotions or habits. For some people depression can be the reason for trichotillomania. This disorder runs in families (genetic) or can be acquired due to environmental factors.

Who are at risk?

People who are born to parents with trichotillomania are at high risk of developing it. People of teenage group can develop this problem due to hormonal imbalance. For many people this action is related with negative emotions and they involve in hair pulling when they are stressed or under high emotion. Often, people with this disorder will get relief and comfort only if they pull out hair and thus it can become positive reinforcement as they continue to do the same action.

People with other mental disorders like depression/anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder are more likely to develop trichotillomania. There is no complication physically for the affected person but it can affect their image in the society. They often feel embarrassed to mingle with strangers which can largely affect their performance at workplace. Many people affected with this disorder will avoid social situations or gathering to hide their problem. In due course, it can cause total hair loss and lead to infection.

Tests :

No specific methods are available for diagnosing trichotillomania. Often, the person will not accept it and they may visit the doctor out of compulsion. The patient will be referred to a psychiatrist who can evaluate this problem by asking series of questions. He would try to find out if the person is affected with impulsive disorder by checking the hair loss in several areas of his body.

The person should have at least some of the following signs to be diagnosed with trichotillomania:-

•  Pulling out hair from the scalp or eyebrows would result in frequent hair loss


•  The person will make all possible efforts to stop this action but he may not control it


•  Constant pulling of hair would cause significant problems at job, school or other places


•  Loss of hair is not due to any other medical condition other than voluntary pulling.

Treatment :

Since this disorder is the result of habit formation due to positive reinforcement it has to dealt on psychological basis. Your doctor will refer to any psychiatrist who would assist you with psychotherapy methods.

Cognitive behavior therapy based on habit reversal method is employed for stopping this action. The person will be helped to identify his/her problem and will be taught other methods of controlling their anxiety or stress. Through relaxation techniques therapist will ease out his tension and gradually change his behavior. It is the unwanted thought that urges the person to pull out hair repeatedly.

The person will be trained on acceptance/commitment therapy to gradually control his urge. He/she will be asked to clench his fists for few minutes whenever he has an irresistible urge to pull out his hair. Medications of antidepressant agents are prescribed to control and manage intense urges. Drugs like SSRI group like clomipramine and mood stabilizing drugs like zyprexa can be prescribed. People affected with trichotillomania will feel desperate and alone due to hair pulling experience. They can find relief by joining a support group.

Polyps in Uterus

Polyps in Uterus Polyps are extra growths on the uterus and they often get attached to the wall of the uterus. In medical terms they are called endometrial polyps since they are caused by the endometrium which is the lining of the uterus. The polyps are not cancer causing often and only in rare cases the polyps turn into cancerous cells.

Polyps differ in size and growth ranging from just a millimeter to few centimeters or even more. Some of them grow bigger than a golf ball causing complications. The polyps stick on to the wall of the uterus through a thin stalk. Generally they are found well inside the uterus but in some cases they move down to reach the cervix region. Polyps are largely seen in women who are in menopause period.

Symptoms :

Some of the signs of presence of polyps (in uterus) are irregular periods (lasting for several days or having no menstrual periods for several months), bleeding between the periods, excess of bleeding and bleeding after menopause time. Bleeding can be heavy and unpredictable. But for some women there may not be any symptoms and if at all they have, there would be light spotting.

Causes :

It is not certain what causes growth of uterine polyps in women. It is believed to be caused by hormonal imbalance. The secretion of estrogen can directly influence the growth of polyps, the more the secretion the more the polyps’ growth will be and vice versa. Chronic inflammation of the uterus can cause polyps. Polyps can occur if there is any problem in the blood vessels of the cervix region.

Who are at risk?

Women in the postmenopausal period, women who are obese, women with hypertension and women who are taking tamoxifen are more prone to develop polyps than others. In rare cases, the growth of polyps can cause infertility. It also increases the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women and this is more specific in women who are taking IVF (in vitro fertilization) therapy. Complete removal of polyps can certainly increase the chance of getting pregnant.

Diagnosis :

The doctor would look for the above symptoms after collecting information from the concerned women and may order for few tests to diagnose polyps. She can do hysteroscopy or vaginal ultrasound or curettage procedure to examine the presence of polyps. In ultra-sonogram a long wand like instrument is placed inside the vagina that will send specific frequency of sound waves which in turn would give clear picture of the uterus. In some cases the doctor would use saline water for getting clear picture of the polyps.

During hysteroscopy the doctor would insert a thin tube that contains mini telescope into the vagina to study the inside of uterus region. In curettage the doctor would gently scrape the inner lining of the uterus to check the sample on the laboratory for the presence of polyps.

Treatment :

If you don’t have any problem like irregular periods or heavy bleeding even if you have polyps in uterus, then you don’t need any treatment. Very often, the polyps are non-cancerous or benign. However your doctor will send the sample tissue collected from the uterus to check for presence of cancerous cells. Hysteroscopy is the best method for treating polyps. During this procedure, your doctor will use a special device to get the maximum clear view of the uterus portion and gently remove the polyps from inside.

This is a small surgical procedure where local anesthesia is given and you can get back home on the same day. However you should avoid having sex for at least a week after undergoing hysteroscopy. Some women might have mild cramps or slight bleeding from the vagina. Taking certain hormonal drugs like gonadotropin producing hormone agonists can give you temporary relief from polyps but it can recur again.

Fertility and polyps :

Presence of polyps in the uterus can affect the way you become pregnant normally. If a woman is not able to conceive even after a year of trying it is possible that she has polyps in her uterus. Polyps can prevent the fertilized egg to get implanted in the wall of the uterus thus acting as an intra uterine device. Similarly polyps can cause miscarriage or abortion for some women.

Swollen Tongue

Swollen Tongue Tongue is an essential part of your body which is largely used in digestion of food particles. Tongue is a muscular organ that helps one to speak properly. Any swelling on the tongue can affect the way you eat or speak. Number of factors can affect the tongue causing inflammation and swelling. Tongue inflammation is medically described as smooth tongue or glassodynia. The tongue changes its normal color and become red and swollen. Swollen tongue can be caused due to vitamin B12 deficiency, side effect of medications and due to acromegaly or gigantism. It can be treated if the underlying causes are known.

Causes :

Various factors can cause tongue inflammation or swollen tongue. ACE inhibitors drugs given for hypertension can cause swollen tongue. These medications are given for inhibiting the angiotensin enzyme and this can cause inflammation of the tongue called angioneurotic edema. People taking ACE inhibitors will develop swelling on their face and tongue due to adverse reaction. However not all the people taking this drug would develop inflammation but only some people are affected.

Angioneurotic edema can also occur as allergic reaction of other medications causing swollen tongue. Eating too hot and spicy foods can also affect the soft lining of the tongue causing inflammation. Deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause inflammation of the tongue. Candida infection can cause fever and thrush leading to swollen tongue. Certain conditions like dehydration can cause dry mouth which may lead to tongue inflammation.

Certain illness like hypothyroidism (less secretion of thyroid hormone) can cause swollen tongue. Anemia, Kawasaki disease and strep infection can also affect your tongue. Sometimes people can develop swollen tongue due to allergic reaction caused by wearing dentures, dental procedures, mouthwash, and medications. Any abnormality in the functions of salivary gland can affect the tongue causing inflammation.

Swollen tongue can also be formed as a result of injury or infection inside the oral cavity. Certain skin problems like syphilis, oral lichen planus and bullous pemphigoid can affect the tongue causing swelling. Eating hot and spicy foods and consumption of alcohol can also cause tongue irritation leading to swollen tongue.

Symptoms :

Some of the common signs of tongue inflammation are ulcerous growth on the tongue, change in normal color, tender tongue, and swelling of tongue, burning pain on the tongue and loss of taste and problems in eating/swallowing and even speaking. In severe cases inflammation of tongue can affect the normal breathing pattern.

Diagnosis :

Mere physical examination of the tongue is enough to detect swollen tongue. Your doctor will check the condition of the tongue looking for sores and change in color. For some people there can be small papules or lesions on the tongue indicating ulcers. He would collect complete medical history of the patient including the list of medications and habits etc. In case he suspects vitamin deficiency he would order for blood test. For confirming skin infection, your doctor may do a biopsy on the tongue by collecting small tissue sample from your tongue and testing it on the laboratory.

Treatment :

The plan of treatment varies according to the root cause of tongue inflammation. The main objective of the treatment is to reduce swelling and give relief from the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs like histamines and pain killers like ibuprofen are given for first hand relief. In case of fungal/yeast infections, antimicrobial drugs are prescribed. He would also advise you to take vitamin B12 supplements.

Lifestyle Changes :

You need to quit smoking and drinking if you develop swollen tongue. Inflammation of the tongue can be a sign to tell that something is wrong inside. Practicing good oral hygiene is necessary. Brushing your teeth after every meal can help in reducing the infection largely. Go for routine dental checkups.