What could be causing mom's tongue to swell?

A fellow caregiver asked...

My moms tongue became swollen 3 days after having a stroke, it has been 9 months and her tongue is still swollen she's in rehab and the doctors still don't have a clue of what could be causing the problem I have had the doctors to change some of her medicine but her tongue is still swollen there has been times when her tongue looks as if its going back to normal but it soon become swollen again...do anyone have any suggestions on what steps I should take to find out what could be causing this problem, Thanks....

Expert Answer

James Castle, M.D. is a neurologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem (affiliated with The University of Chicago) and an expert on strokes.

Sorry for this predicament.

I would agree with your other doctors, that the most common reason to have a swollen tongue is a medication allergy. Particularly troublesome are medications known as ACE-Inhibitors. These include such medicines as lisinopril and enalapril. I have not yet heard of a stroke causing tongue swelling.

If switching around medications has not been of help, please consider an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor's consultation. They may be able to offer suggestions beyond simply changing medications. Beyond that, I'm not sure I could be of much help because, again, I have not seen this problem in patient's after a stroke.

Good luck!