TASTE DISORDERS

Taste disorders refer to the inability of the tongue to taste correctly. This may include having unpleasant taste even though you have nothing in your mouth.

Taste disorders may be congenital or acquired with several causes including:

  • Upper Respiratory and Middle Ear Infections
  • Radiation Therapy for Cancers of the Head And Neck
  • Exposure to Certain Chemicals
  • Some Antibiotics and Antihistamines
  • Head Injury
  • Surgery to the Ear, Nose, and Throat
  • Poor Oral Hygiene
  • Dental Problems

Many of the types of this disorder are curable when the underlying cause is diagnosed.

Types of Taste disorder include:

  • Hypogeusia– a reduced ability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and savory (umami).
  • Dysgeusia- is a condition in which a foul, salty, rancid, or metallic taste sensation will persist in the mouth.
  • Ageusia- is the inability to detect any tastes, which is rare.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is done by an Otolaryngologist (ear, nose, throat, head and neck doctor). He or she can determine the extent of your taste disorder by measuring the lowest concentration of a taste quality that you can detect or recognize. You may be asked to compare the tastes of different substances or to note how the intensity of a taste grows when a substance’s concentration is increased.

Other diagnosing techniques may include:

  • Taste Tests (sip, spit, and rinse) in which the patient responds to different chemical concentrations.
  • Physical examination of your ears, nose, and throat
  • Dental examination and assessment of oral hygiene
  • Review of your health history

 

TREATMENT

Knowing the underlying cause for your taste disorder will identify the kind of treatment that you need. For example, if your condition is due to respiratory infections or allergies then your taste will be regain after the infection has been resolved.

Here are things you can try to make your food taste better if you lose some or all of your sense of taste

  • Prepare foods with a variety of colors and textures.
  • Use aromatic herbs and hot spices to add more flavor; however, avoid adding more sugar or salt to foods.
  • If your diet permits, add small amounts of cheese, bacon bits, butter, olive oil, or toasted nuts on vegetables.
  • Avoid combination dishes, such as casseroles, that can hide individual flavors and dilute taste.

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