Dysgeusia (Taste Disorder)

What Is It?

Dysgeusia (pronounced "dis-GOOZ-ee-a") is any change in your ability to taste. It can include:

• A metallic taste
• A bad taste (cacogeusia)
• Complete loss of taste (ageusia)
• Things taste "wrong"
• Things taste stronger than they should (hypergeusia)

Nerve cells that enable you to taste are called gustatory cells. Your taste buds have a bunch of these cells, but they are also in other areas of your mouth and throat. When you put something in your mouth, these cells collect taste information and send it to the brain.

In some patients with this symptom, the sense of smell also can be diminished. Nerve cells involved in the sense of smell are called olfactory cells. Gustatory and olfactory cells work together to produce the taste sensation. Our taste cells can only identify four sensations: sour, bitter, salty and sweet. The slight differences of flavor come from your sense of smell. If you want to to understand the connection between taste and smell, try eating an orange while you hold your nose. It will be hard for you to taste it.

Dysgeusia can be a symptom of some other problem or a side effect of another condition or medication. Dysgeusia happens pretty often and can be a result of several different things, many of which are short-term. For example, the common cold, flu, a nasal or sinus infection, strep throat or other short-lived conditions can affect the sense of taste. Other causes include:

• Smoking
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Certain medications, including lithium, antibiotics, ACE inhibitors and many chemotherapy drugs
• Dry mouth (xerostomia), which also can be caused by many medications
• Vitamin or mineral deficiency
• Conditions that affect the face or throat, such as Sjögren's syndrome or Bell's palsy
• A brain tumor or injury to the head
• Damage to the taste nerves
• Metabolic problems, such as diabetes, thyroid disease or liver problems
• Depression
• Laryngectomy (removal of the voice box)

How do you know if you have Dysgeusia?

The only way you know you have it is if things that normally taste a certain way begin to have a different taste.

What can you do if you have Dysgeusia?

Some causes of dysgeusia can be prevented, but most cannot. Quitting smoking will help increase your ability to taste and smell. Making sure you have good oral hygiene (brush and floss twice daily), get regular dental care, and have any sinus problems.

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