Tongue Problems

[Mark Anthony]

I have been to a nuero for twitching (migratory).  After Emg,  he stated that they are not causing any problems at this time. He did not do my throat area.  My tongue strength seems to be very strong.  Out of the anxiety component of this als fear,   I have continued to stick it out and examine the dam thing.  Over the past month to six weeks.  Would this behaviour cause it to tone up (if you will) and become narrower upon extension? It does not deviate to the right or left however the right side of the tip seems to be slightly stronger.  Does the tongue have a right side or left side dominance type of thing?


I have not noticed any weakness however I have noticed or my perception is that it is narrower when extending it outwardly as far as possible.  Please answer the following questions.



1.  Could atrophy occur without me noticeing tongue weakening?
    
2.  WOuld continous extension of the tongue due to high anxiety cause the tongue to narrow over a period of time ?


I know that these seem like very silly questions however I almost have this anxiety thing in control.  I am on an anti axiety med but still am feeling very anxious.  Also could you refer the name of a good book on nuerology for the lay person .

Thanks

[Debby Williams]

What causes taste buds to be raised and very sore?
Any natural remedies?

[Ian]

Like Keith, I have been to a neuro to consult about twitching.  Mine started suddenly about 13 months ago and are all over my body.  In that time, I have had 5 EMGs, all of which have been normal but none of them have looked at throat, tongue etc.  Yesterday though my tongue twitched for the first time.  The twitching lasted for a short time and then went away but did recur that evening.  I have no weakness but this has panicked me a bit.  Any comments?

[CCF neuro MD MM]

When tongue atrophy occurrs it is very marked, the tongue is noticably smaller and the twitching is so severe that it is described as looking like a bag of worms. If you have no associated speech or swallowing problems then it is highly unlikely that you have tongue atrophy.
Protruding the tongue to look at it would not cause it to become narrow, the degree to which you do this is would still not compare to the "work-out" it gets all day while speaking or eating. It sounds to me as if your anxiety is the main problem since you have no symptoms suggestve of serious organic illness.
There are no general  neurology books I know of aimed at the layperson, I would recommned the neurology sections of any respected general medical advice book, The Mayo Clinic publishes a very good text.
You should be very selective in reading these books as if you are prone to anxiety it may only serve to amplify your fears.
Just remenber that symptoms need to be taken in overall context, just as twitching in the tongue does not automatically mean you have ALS without other associated findings.