Ranula under tongue is a clear or bluish-colored fluid collection or cyst formed. It is caused by a blocked salivary gland duct present in the mouth.
It is filled with saliva which has leaked out through a damaged salivary duct in the mouth.
Salivary glands are small structures that produce saliva for the digestion of food and easy swallowing.
it is a slow-growing cystic mass on the floor of the mouth. The size of the ranula under the tongue can vary from patient to patient.
In some patients, the cyst remains small in size while in some it grows larger and causes difficulties.
If the size of the ranula under the tongue is small and if it is not producing symptoms then further treatment may not be needed.
If the size is large then oral surgery is required.
Ranula Under Tongue Types
There are two types of ranulas. Let’s take a look at them one by one.
1. Simple or oral ranula:
In a simple ranula, the swelling is limited to the smallest salivary gland present in the mouth and throat i.e., the sublingual gland.
The cyst remains on the floor of the mouth beneath the tongue.
2. Plunging or diving ranula:
A plunging or diving ranula is formed when a simple ranula ruptures.
The cyst grows downwards in the mouth and the throat. The rupture leads to the formation of a pseudocyst that extends into the neck ( through a defect in the muscle).
Plunging ranula causes symptoms like difficulties in swallowing, and speaking. It creates pressure on the windpipe.
Ranula Under Tongue Causes
Sometimes, the ranula develops spontaneously with an unknown cause.
In other cases, ranulas develop due to trauma to the floor of the mouth for example, due to oral surgery.
The injury damages the salivary duct and leads to a blockage in the flow of saliva into the mouth.
This causes blockage and hinders the draining of saliva. The saliva starts getting accumulated in the gland and it creates a domed-shaped swelling.
Trauma such as lip biting or getting hit in the mouth can cause a ranula.
A plunging or diving ranula develops due to continuously growing simple or oral ranula.
Ranula Under Tongue Symptoms
Let’s discuss symptoms of ranula under the tongue.
There is the development of a clear, bluish or translucent growth on the floor of the mouth.
Ranula under the tongue remains painless and unnoticed until it increases in size.
The swelling moves up and down on the floor of the mouth. The size can range from 2-3 inches in diameter.
Sometimes, the swelling can be empty but it fills again and grows larger over time.
The patient experiences difficulty in swallowing and chewing. He faces problems during speaking or having a conversation.
A larger ranula under the tongue can cause compression on the windpipe i.e., trachea and cause breathing difficulties.
Risk Factors for Ranula Under Tongue
Certain risk factors make a patient more prone to getting ranula under the tongue. Let’s take a look at the risk factors one by one.
Chronic oral infection:
Chronic oral infection or inflammation that causes scars in the ducts of the salivary glands on the floor of the mouth.
Trauma:
Trauma to the floor of the mouth such as due to oral surgery or sometimes when getting injured in the face or getting blown or hit at the face.
Abnormalities of the salivary duct:
People who have abnormalities in the salivary ducts such as ductal hyperplasia or increase in the size of ducts, agenesis or non-formation, stenosis or narrowing of the ducts.
Oral cancer:
Patients with cancer of the mouth are at a higher risk to develop ranula under the tongue.
Diagnosis of Ranula Under Tongue
A small ranula under the tongue may not require treatment but if it is getting enlarged or developing symptoms such as difficulties in eating, speaking or breathing then the doctor should be consulted.
The doctor will make the diagnosis based on the appearance and location of the lesion in the mouth.
To confirm the diagnosis, some image tests can be advised.
CT scan:
A Ct scan can be advised to check the extent of the damage. CT scan uses a combination of X-rays to take out an image of the inside of the body.
MRI:
MRI uses strong magnets and radio frequencies to create a picture of the inside body to help in diagnosis confirmation.
Ultrasound of neck:
Ultrasound or USG uses sound waves and gives a picture of the inside of the body to help o determine the extension of the ranula into the throat.
These test helps to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate ranula under the tongue from other disease conditions.
Ranula Under Tongue Management
Some management tips can be followed to aid in the fast recovery and preventing complications along with medical treatment.
Oral hygiene:
Keeping good oral hygiene is a must for patients suffering from ranula under the tongue.
It can prevent further infection and inflammation of the ranula under the tongue.
Using mild and sensitive toothbrushes:
Using mild and sensitive toothpaste and a toothbrush can prevent further damage and complications.
Avoid spicy food items:
Avoid eating too spicy food that may produce aphthous in the mouth and causes additional symptoms.
These are a few simple tips that can be followed for fast recovery from ranula under the tongue.
Best Homeopathic Medicines for Ranula Under Tongue
Homeopathy offers a mild, quick, and gentle treatment option for ranula under the tongue.
It can be given to patients of every age and sex. Homeopathy is completely safe and free from adverse effects.
If the treatment is given for proper duration it can completely cure the ranula under the tongue and also prevent the further enlargement of the ranula into the throat.
There are many beneficial homeopathic remedies for ranula under the tongue, let’s take a look at them one by one in detail.
1. THUJA: For sensitive ranula under the tongue
Symptoms:
Thuja is the leading remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue which is extremely sensitive.
The tip of the tongue is very painful. There are white blisters on the sides of the roots which are painfully sore.
Ranula due to the varicose veins of the tongue and the mouth can be treated by Thuja.
The tooth next to the gums is decayed. Ranula is very sensitive, the gums are retracted.
Thuja can treat small and large ranula with other infections present in the mouth.
Potency and dosage:
Thuja 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Thuja 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Thuja in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
2. MERC SOL: For ranula under the tongue with salivary secretions greatly increased
Symptoms:
Merc sol is one of the top remedies for the treatment of ranula under the tongue with salivary secretions greatly increased.
There is a sweetish metallic taste in the mouth. Sometimes, the saliva is bloody and viscid.
The saliva is fetid with a coppery taste in the mouth. The patient has difficulty speaking due to the ranula under the tongue.
There is a sore pain on the touch and chewing in the mouth. The whole mouth is moist with loose and tender teeth.
There is a fetid odour from the mouth that can be smelled all over the room.
The symptoms of a Merc Sol patient are worse at night.
Potency and dosage:
Merc Sol 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Merc Sol 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Merc Sol in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
3. HYDROPHOBINUM: Franula under the tongue with constant spitting of saliva
Symptoms:
Hydrophobunum is a very beneficial remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue where recurrence is threatened.
The patient suffers from periodical recurrence of the ranula under the tongue.
There is constant spitting of saliva. The saliva is viscid and tough.
The patient experiences a constant desire to swallow saliva. The speaking, swallowing and breathing difficulties are present along the ranula under the tongue.
There are froths at the mouth. When these symptoms are present, Hydrophobinum is the most suitable choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Hydrophobinum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Hydrophobinum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Hydrophobinum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. SILICEA: For ranula under the tongue with sensitivity to cold water
Symptoms:
Silicea is one of the top-indicated remedies for the treatment of ranula under the tongue in Homeopathy.
The patient is having a sensation of hair on the tongue. The mouth is sensitive to cold air and water.
Silicea helps to dissolve the swelling and annihilate the ruptured salivary duct.
There are boils in the gums, and abscesses at the root of the teeth. The patient may suffer from pyorrhea.
It can be given for treating larger ranulas under the tongue.
Potency and dosage:
Silicea 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Silicea 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Silicea in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
4. CALCAREA FLOUR: For large ranula under the tongue
Symptoms:
Calcarea fluor is a very well-known homeopathic remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue which is larger.
It can treat and dissolve large ranulas under the tongue. The patient complains of problems speaking. He cannot make a conversation or give a speech due to the large ranula inferring from the free movement of the tongue.
The patient cannot eat properly. He experiences difficulty in swallowing.
The ranula sometimes creates pressure on the windpipe and causes breathing difficulties.
There are gumboils with hard swelling on the jaw. The tongue is indurated with hardening after inflammation.
The patent experiences unnatural looseness of the teeth with or without pain.
Potency and dosage:
Calcarea flour 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Calcarea flour 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Calcarea flour in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
5. SYPHILINUM: For ranula under the tongue with the excessive flow of saliva
Symptoms:
Syphilinum is a very popular remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue in homeopathy.
It can be given the ranula is formed with an excessive flow of saliva in the mouth. The saliva dribbles from the corners of the mouth while sleeping.
The patient experiences tooth decay with serrated edges. The tongue is coated with teeth indented.
There are deep longitudinal cracks in the tongue. The mouth burns. The patient suffers from difficulty swallowing the food.
When these symptoms are present, Syphilinum is the best choice of remedy.
Potency and dosage:
Syphilinum 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Syphilinum 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Syphilinum in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
6. ANTIM TART: For ranula under the tongue with difficulty in swallowing
Symptoms:
Antim tart is a very beneficial remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue in homeopathy.
It can be used when the patient is having difficulty swallowing, especially liquids.
The ranula may create pressure on the windpipe and causes symptoms like breathing difficulties and nausea.
The patient is having problems with speech and making conversations. Nausea creates fear in the mind and pain in the chest region.
When these symptoms are present, ANtim Tart can relieve the case.
Potency and dosage:
Antim Tart 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Antim Tart 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Antim Tart in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
7. APIS MEL: For red, shining ranula under the tongue
Symptoms:
Apis Mel is a very useful remedy for fiery red ranula under the tongue. The mouth feels raw and sore.
The mouth and throat both are affected due to the the extension of ranula under the tongue into the throat.
The mouth becomes red, shiny and puffy. It is helpful for ranula with cancer of the tongue.
Potency and dosage:
Apis Mel 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Apis Mel 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Apis Mel in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
8. AMBRA GRISEA: For ranula under the tongue with a bad smell in the mouth
Symptoms:
Ambra Grisea is a good remedy for the ranula under the tongue with acid eructations and violent and convulsive cough.
The patient experiences difficulties in swallowing food and liquid. He suffers from problems in speaking and talking.
There is an increased flow of saliva in the mouth.
When these symptoms are present, Ambra Grisea can cure the case.
Potency and dosage:
Ambra Grisea 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ambra Grisea 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ambra Grisea in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
9. RANUNCULUS BULB: For ranula under the tongue with a large collection of saliva
Symptoms:
Ranunculus Bulb is a very beneficial remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue.
The mouth becomes sensitive to touch and cold air. The patient rubs the swelling with the tongue due to the itching sensation.
The patient suffers from vesicular and pustular eruptions all over the body.
Potency and dosage:
Ranunculus Bulb 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Ranunculus Bulb 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Ranunculus Bulb in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
10. SULPHUR: For ranula under the tongue with a bitter taste in the mouth
Symptoms:
Sulphur is a very well-known homeopathic remedy for the treatment of ranula under the tongue with a bitter taste in the mouth in the morning.
The lips of the patient are bright red, dry and burning. There is throbbing pain in the mouth with swelling of the gums.
SUlpur can be used to treat mild cases of ranula under the tongue.
Potency and dosage:
Sulphur 1M can be taken as four pills or drops once a week till improvement occurs. Sulphur 200CH can be taken as four pills or drops once daily till improvement occurs.
Sulphur in 30CH can be taken as four pills or drops twice daily till improvement occurs.
Remember that homeopathic remedies are prescribed based on individual symptoms and characteristics. It’s crucial to consult with a qualified homeopath for proper evaluation and personalized treatment. Homeopathy focuses on treating the whole person, so a detailed case study is necessary to select the most appropriate remedy.
Homeopathic medicines should be taken only when prescribed by a homeopathic physician. Self-medication may aggravate the original conditions.