Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Black Discoloration Of Tongue?
Question: My wife woke up today with a black tongue. what would cause her tongue to turn black? here r some of her symptoms that she has had this past week. some of these have been a lot longer I mean by years. she has a distended stomach with a mass on the right of the belly button today she started having diahrea and her skin has been sensitive to touch for the past month she feels very bloated all the time for the past couple of weeks with some passing of gas. lots of heart burn drinking baking soda water to try n get some relief sometime it helps and time it doesn't she is also on omemeprozole , gabapitin, maloxacam novalog, lantis , levatiroxin, lasinopril, Hctc, metphormin, asprin,
Brief Answer:
Not alarming. But keep a close watch...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand this sudden appearance of black tongue pigmentation has caused quite amount of distress. But with no other symptoms of pain, swelling, taste loss and so on, I wouldn't be alarmed with this change. Based on the information provided, I am skeptical about the cause It may be related to acid reflux - acidic and undigested stomach contents regurgitating and causing discoloration. If you are on other drugs such as iron pill or an antibiotic, those drugs may produce similar discoloration. So please revise the drugs.
In the meanwhile, I would suggest improvements with acid reflux / hyperacidity symptoms. So measures I advocate are:
1. Changing over from omeprazole to pantoprazole / esomeprazole.
2. Moderating intake of meloxicam. Similarly aspirin may be changed to clopidogrel which has less gastric irritant effects.
3. Avoiding spices, hot beverages, smoking and alcohol.
4. Starting aerobic exercise
As far as the belly button mass is concerned, I don't think it is related to this tongue discoloration or the medication. It may be related to a hernia or a lipoma. An ultrasound abdomen will help us out with the diagnosis. If you haven't done one yet, you can discuss about with your doctor.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Not alarming. But keep a close watch...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I understand this sudden appearance of black tongue pigmentation has caused quite amount of distress. But with no other symptoms of pain, swelling, taste loss and so on, I wouldn't be alarmed with this change. Based on the information provided, I am skeptical about the cause It may be related to acid reflux - acidic and undigested stomach contents regurgitating and causing discoloration. If you are on other drugs such as iron pill or an antibiotic, those drugs may produce similar discoloration. So please revise the drugs.
In the meanwhile, I would suggest improvements with acid reflux / hyperacidity symptoms. So measures I advocate are:
1. Changing over from omeprazole to pantoprazole / esomeprazole.
2. Moderating intake of meloxicam. Similarly aspirin may be changed to clopidogrel which has less gastric irritant effects.
3. Avoiding spices, hot beverages, smoking and alcohol.
4. Starting aerobic exercise
As far as the belly button mass is concerned, I don't think it is related to this tongue discoloration or the medication. It may be related to a hernia or a lipoma. An ultrasound abdomen will help us out with the diagnosis. If you haven't done one yet, you can discuss about with your doctor.
Hope this helped. Let me know if you need clarifications.
Regards
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
