Those Off-Colour Bodily Symptoms
Colour changes can be indicative of underlying health conditions, medical experts weigh in
Do you know colour changes in certain organs or bodily functions such as the tongue, urine, menstrual blood etc can be indicative of various underlying health conditions? Though one cannot say with certainty about the nature of the ailment only from colour changes, it can still serve as one of the warning signs that some disease might be brewing within, which further diagnostic tests can either confirm or rule out.
TONGUE
While a normal, healthy tongue is pink, changes in colour such as yellow, red, white, black or purple can sometimes indicate underlying health conditions or infections, and it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr Chaitanya Challa, senior consultant, Internal Medicine expert, Care Hospital elaborates on the possible underlying causes of tongue discolouration.
Yellow: Poor oral hygiene and Bacteria buildup. Reduced saliva production (indicated by dry mouth) can lead to bacterial growth. A yellowish tinge to the tongue can be a sign of jaundice or liver problems, where the liver is not processing bilirubin properly. Smoking or tobacco use can also cause yellow or brown discoloration. Some foods and drinks, like coffee or black tea, can temporarily stain the tongue.
Red: Inflammation or infection: A red tongue might indicate inflammation of the tongue (glossitis) or an infection like scarlet fever. Nutritional deficiencies: Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a red tongue. Kawasaki disease: A rare, serious condition that inflames blood vessels, can cause a bright red, bumpy tongue (strawberry tongue). Allergies: Allergic reactions to food or medications can cause a red tongue.
White and pale: Oral thrush: A fungal infection that causes white patches on the tongue. Leukoplakia: A condition characterized by thick, white patches on the tongue that can sometimes be pre-cancerous. Anaemia: Iron deficiency or other types of anaemia can cause a pale tongue. Nutritional deficiencies: Lack of certain nutrients can also lead to a pale tongue.
Purple or bluish: A purple tongue can indicate poor blood circulation or heart problems. Kidney disease or respiratory issues can also lead to a lack of oxygen in the blood, resulting in a purple or blue tongue.
Black: Black hairy tongue: Occurs when the papillae (small bumps) on the tongue become overgrown and trap bacteria. Certain foods, drinks and medication can temporarily stain the tongue black.’
URINE
Normal urine of a healthy person is clear, transparent or with a slightly yellow tinge. Various shades of yellow and brown also indicate the level of dehydration. “The more intense the colour, the higher is the level of osmolarity or concentration of solutes in urine indicating less water. It is necessary to keep the urine dilute. Drugs like Tolvaptan, (used for slowing down the progress of kidney disease), help to keep the urine dilute. Apart from dehydration, any departure from normal clear urine can indicate infections, urinary tract infections (UTI), underlying liver and kidney diseases, intake of certain food and medication etc,” explains Dr Rajasekara Chakravarthi, senior nephrologist and kidney transplant specialist, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad.
Menstrual Blood
The colour of the menstrual blood may vary in different phases of the period or during different cycles for various reasons. Dr MNV Pallavi, consultant obstetrician, gynaecologist and director of Her Clinic, avers, “However, the colours are not definitely indicative of ill health but can only indicate a possibility, which will require further investigations to ascertain the underlying health condition. It is just for the general public to have some ideas, which may not be true and are not evidence-based. More than the colour, women should be rather concerned about irregularity and frequency of the menstrual cycle. If it lasts less than two days or more than seven days, with heavy flow, one should see a doctor. Age also affects blood flow.”
