Dysgeusia is a medical condition that causes a persistent and unpleasant change in taste, often described as metallic or foul. It can be caused by various factors, including illnesses, smoking, and pregnancy. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Dysgeusia is a medical disorder that causes an abnormal taste in the mouth. While any individual may have a strange taste in their mouth from time to time, this condition causes a change in taste that is both persistent and unpleasant. Those with the disorder often describe the change in taste as metallic or foul. Some people describe it as salty, rancid, or just plain bad.
Most people are well aware that their taste buds allow them to taste food. However, it is the cells in the taste buds that are responsible for collecting taste information and sending it to the brain. Interestingly, most of human perception of taste and flavor comes from nerve cells related to smell, and people with dysgeusia sometimes notice changes in smell as well. Taste cells are responsible for identifying whether food tastes sour or sweet, salty or bitter, but the subtleties of flavor perception are often influenced by the sense of smell.
In most cases, the symptoms of dysgeusia only last temporarily. Illnesses such as colds, flu, and sinus infections are fairly common, but temporary causes. Smoking, dry mouth and nutritional deficiencies are other causes. Dental conditions, damaged taste buds, migraines, and some medications can also cause it. Pregnancy is another common cause of dysgeusia, as hormonal changes can lead to the disorder; in pregnancy, the condition often causes a sour or metallic taste. Additionally, people with brain tumors, depression, and head injuries can also suffer from this taste disorder.
To diagnose dysgeusia, medical professionals typically do an exam and ask for a patient’s medical history. They also ask questions about the patient’s symptoms, including how long they have been evident, the type of change in taste the patient has noticed, and details of any conditions or possible causes the patient may notice. In some cases, doctors may recommend tests of the senses of taste and smell; this can include tasting chemicals intended to produce certain tastes. Doctors may also ask patients to scratch and sniff special cards to test for smell.
Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder. For example, if a person has a cold or the flu, he can simply wait for his sense of taste to return to normal after the illness. Otherwise, doctors may choose to treat the underlying condition causing the change in taste. If smoking is to blame, quitting may help. In some cases, a person’s nerve cells may have been damaged beyond repair; if this occurs, the condition is not curable.
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