Deficiencies in nutrients involved in red blood cell formation can lead to anemia, a condition that often causes inflammation, soreness and swelling of the tongue. Anemia, also known as "tired blood," can cause permanent damage if left untreated. If you have a swollen tongue, consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause.
Nutrient Deficiencies
A variety of nutrients play essential roles in the formation of red blood cells, including vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, folate and iron. Iron deficiency anemia, the most common type of anemia, affects as much as 30 percent of the world's population, notes the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B-12 deficiency affects between 1.5 and 15 percent of the population. Vitamin B-6 and folate deficiency occurs rarely in the United States. Chronic alcohol use can destroy B vitamins, so alcoholics may be vulnerable to these deficiencies, notes the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.
Risk Factors for Iron and B-12 Deficiencies
Individuals at high risk for vitamin B-12 deficiency include older adults, vegetarians and vegans, individuals who have had gastrointestinal surgery and individuals with atrophic gastritis, pernicious anemia, Crohn's disease and celiac disease. Individuals at high risk for iron deficiency include teenage girls, women of childbearing age, people with renal failure, people with gastrointestinal disorders such as Crohn's disease and celiac disease, preterm and low birth weight infants, female athletes, vegetarian athletes and distance runners. Doctors may recommend dietary supplements to help prevent or treat deficiencies in these cases. In some cases, doctors may use intramuscular B-12 injections to bypass absorption problems.
Tongue Problems
Vitamin deficiency anemia can cause glossitis, a condition characterized by a sore, swollen and tender tongue. Glossitis may cause color changes in the tongue. Other causes of glossitis include allergic reactions to toothpaste or mouthwash, dry mouth, bacterial infections, viruses, burns, syphilis, tobacco use, alcohol use, spices and yeast infection. Treating the underlying nutritional deficiency typically cures symptoms of glossitis, notes Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia. Vitamin B deficiency may also cause geographic tongue, causing patches, sores and burning pain on the tongue.
Other Symptoms
Deficiencies in vitamin B-12 and iron typically cause symptoms of fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, difficulty concentrating, constipation, diarrhea, loss of appetite and weight loss. Untreated vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause permanent nervous system and neurological damage, leading to numbness and tingling in hands and feet, difficulty maintaining balance, confusion, depression, poor memory and dementia. Iron deficiency may also cause irritability, pale skin and brittle nails. Folate deficiency and vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause elevated homocysteine levels, a risk factor for heart disease. Vitamin B-6 deficiency can cause skin inflammation, depression, confusion and convulsions. Folate deficiency can cause headaches, heart palpitations, irritability, memory problems and behavioral disorders.
References
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B-12 Quick Facts
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B-6
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Folate
- National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements: Iron
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Folate Deficiency Anemia
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Glossitis
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