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Change or Loss in Taste

Change-or-Loss-in-Taste
Alternative Names: 

Impaired taste, Metallic taste, Dysgeusia

Definition: 

A change or loss in taste is a normal side effect of aging. However, it can also be a sign of another condition. Problems with tasting are often associated with a smelling disorder, because much of what we interpret as sweet, salty, sour, or bitter is a flavor – a combination of taste and smell.

Symptoms: 

Consult your doctor if your change or loss in taste does not improve or if you experience your change or loss in taste along with other symptoms. While age related symptoms may not be able to be fixed, your doctor may be able to treat other causes of change or loss in taste.

Exams/Testing: 

Your doctor will perform a physical exam to determine the cause of your change or loss in taste. You may be asked questions regarding medications you are taking, your dental hygiene habits, additional presenting symptoms, or if you are a smoker. If your doctor suspects the cause to be related to your sinuses, you may have a CT scan or your brain and sinuses.

Outlook/Prognosis: 

Treating your change or loss in taste requires diagnosing the underlying cause for your symptoms. Your doctor may recommend changing medications if they are the cause of your problem. Most other health conditions are treatable through outpatient procedures or diet changes.

If your loss or change in taste is the result of smoking, quitting will allow your sense of taste and smell to improve.

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