Macroglossia is an enlargement of the tongue that can be caused by congenital conditions or medical conditions. It can cause problems with eating, breathing, swallowing, or sleeping, and is usually treated by surgery. Even if the problem is only cosmetic, pursuing treatment can still be important for mental health.
Macroglossia is an enlargement of the tongue. It can be associated with congenital conditions, in which case the mouth is sometimes small and the tongue average size, and it can also develop in association with some medical conditions. People with macroglossia can experience a variety of problems as a result of having an enlarged tongue and this condition is usually treated by a maxillofacial surgeon.
Congenital hypothyroidism, Down syndrome, and a number of other genetic conditions can be accompanied by macroglossia. Enlarged tongue can also occur in people with amyloidosis, immunodeficiency, and some types of infections, among other things. Macroglossia is usually very easy to spot, because the oversized tongue is pretty hard to miss.
At the less severe end of the spectrum, macroglossia can be a cosmetic problem. The spread tongue can also lead people to feel uncomfortable in social situations, which can impact self-esteem and mental health. This condition can also cause problems with eating, breathing, swallowing, or sleeping. In some cases, these problems can be serious; people with macroglossia may be at risk of dying from the enlargement.
When a patient presents with macroglossia, steps are taken to determine the cause. Sometimes the cause is obvious, as in cases where people have been diagnosed with a condition commonly linked to an enlarged tongue. In cases where the cause isn’t obvious, or where the enlargement was sudden, it’s important to find out why it happened. Treating or managing the cause is critical to the patient’s overall health, even if it doesn’t necessarily solve the tongue problem.
The primary treatment of macroglossia is surgery. A surgeon can reduce the tongue to a more reasonable size so that it fits comfortably in the patient’s mouth. The tongue is a relatively quickly healing part of the body, so patients usually recover quickly from macroglossia surgery. They may need to follow a liquid diet during the early stages of healing, and they will need to observe strict oral hygiene until their tongue has fully healed to ensure they don’t develop infections.
Even if the problem is only cosmetic, pursuing treatment can still be important. People who feel uncomfortable or uncomfortable because of cosmetic issues tend to experience a reduced quality of life and may feel happier and more confident if these issues are addressed. Sometimes it’s hard to realize the impact of a cosmetic problem on your life until it’s been resolved and your self-esteem and mood improve.
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