In daily life, we have all experienced the phenomenon of ulcers appearing on the surface of our tongues. Typically, there may be one or multiple ulcers. When ulcers occur, they often cause patients to feel extreme pain. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the emergence of tongue ulcers is often attributed to excessive heart fire, qi and blood deficiency, as well as kidney yin and yang deficiency, which are the main causes of tongue ulcers. During such times, it is essential to maintain oral hygiene to prevent the symptoms from becoming severe or damaging the oral mucosa.

Why Does It Hurt When There Are Bumps on the Side of the Base of the Tongue?

Painful bumps on the side of the base of the tongue are often considered to be tongue ulcers. Tongue ulcers refer to breaks on the surface of the tongue, presenting as one or multiple small ulcers. There are various causes of tongue ulcers, mainly including the following points:

1. Digestive System Diseases

Patients with systemic diseases are prone to developing tongue ulcers, primarily through affecting the immune system. Tongue ulcers are associated with gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, localized enteritis, hepatitis, and other conditions. Research has shown that 30%-48% of patients with tongue ulcers have digestive diseases such as abdominal bloating, diarrhea, or constipation. Among them, more than 9% have peptic ulcers.

2. Nutritional Factors

Deficiencies in trace elements such as zinc and iron, as well as folate, vitamin B12, and malnutrition, can reduce immune function and increase the likelihood of recurrent tongue ulceration.

3. Infectious Factors

Some suggest that streptococcus and several viruses play a pathogenic role in the development of recurrent tongue ulcers.

4. Genetic Factors

If both parents suffer from recurrent tongue ulcers, approximately 80-90% of their children will also have the condition. If only one parent has the disease, about 50-60% of their children will be affected.

5. Abnormal Immune System

Abnormalities in the immune system are also one of the main causes of tongue ulcers. Primary viruses present in the oral cavity, such as Staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, become abnormally active when the human immune system is dysfunctional, ultimately leading to the development of tongue ulcers. These viruses hide in the blood vessels beneath the epidermis and multiply within the cell nuclei after infecting the body.

6. Psychological Factors

Certain psychological factors can also contribute to the development of tongue ulcer symptoms. Clinical observations have found that patients who frequently experience negative emotions such as tension, anxiety, irritability, and agitation are more prone to developing tongue ulcers. Poor sleep can also contribute to the occurrence of these symptoms. Researchers believe that this may be related to dysfunction of the vegetative nervous system.

7. Systemic Disease Factors

Investigations have revealed that recurrent tongue ulcers are closely associated with gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis, localized enteritis, hepatobiliary diseases, and various digestive diseases or functional disorders caused by parasites. Research indicates that digestive system dysfunction accounts for approximately 30% of the precipitating factors for recurrent tongue ulcers.