Loss of taste

When we eat a dish, our taste buds on the tongue are excited and allow us to appreciate various nuances – sharpness, sweetness, acidity. The sense of taste is one of the five basic human senses, allowing him to live comfortably and safely in our difficult world. Initially, the perception of taste was protective – it allowed, due to the different taste of products, to identify dangerous or spoiled ones. But today it helps us enjoy food and enjoy it. And if the food seems tasteless or “no” – this is a problem.

A taste disorder is a condition that alters your normal sense of taste. The change in your taste, which is closely related to your sense of smell, can be temporary or permanent.

More than 2 million Russians suffer from a permanent disorder of taste and smell, the severity varies from a slightly reduced sensation to the complete disappearance of taste and smell. Most often, these disorders are not caused by other, more serious problems. However, the sudden loss of these feelings can be a sign of a serious problem, such as a brain tumor, and in today’s time, a sign of a coronavirus infection. While such serious problems are rare, you should report any change in taste or smell to your doctor.

The medical term for loss of taste is ageia. If you have not lost your sense of taste, but it has changed, this is called by another term – dysgeusia.

Taste buds are special structures that pick up the taste of chemicals responsible for flavors when food or drink is dissolved in saliva. Most taste buds are located on your tongue. There are several receptors in the back of the mouth. The sense of taste is not as well developed as the sense of smell. Taste buds can only distinguish between salty, sweet, sour, and bitter tastes.

Aromas can be perceived more broadly because the sense of taste works closely with the sense of smell. The loss of your sense of smell almost always greatly affects your ability to taste. Your sense of taste is at its most developed between the ages of 30 and 60. Around the age of 60, you begin to lose your ability to taste, especially sour and bitter. Because older people can still perceive salty and sweet foods, they sometimes add more sugar or salt to their food to make it taste better.

Causes of loss of taste

Apart from normal aging, the most common causes of loss of taste are:

• nasal airway problems, especially nasal congestion caused by allergies or a cold
• upper respiratory infections, sinus infections (sinusitis), tonsillitis or sore throat.

Other reasons:

• dry mouth;
• gum or tooth disease;
• nasal polyps;
• seasonal allergies;
• damage to sensory nerves that conduct impulses from the tongue and pharynx;
• exposure to chemicals;
• taking certain medications;
• smoking;
• radiation therapy.

An increase in taste is also possible, but little is known about the reasons for this phenomenon.

Loss of taste can also be caused by other conditions, including:

• glossitis (a condition in which the tongue swells and changes color);
• oral candidiasis (infection of the oral mucosa);
• vitamin B12 deficiency;
• zinc deficiency.

In some cases, loss of taste may be a sign of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency. These include:

• a brain tumor;
• head injury;
• oral cancer;
• stroke;
• transient ischemic attack (temporary stroke-like symptoms that may be a warning sign of an impending stroke).

When you have ageusia or dysgeusia, food and drink taste different than before. Some foods may taste strange or have a metallic taste. Your taste perception may be better or worse, or you may not taste at all. If your sense of taste is lost or diminished, you may lose interest in your favorite foods. Then the body does not receive all the necessary nutrients. This may cause additional problems.

Treatment for loss of taste

To determine the cause of taste problems and eliminate them, you need to consult a dentist, ENT or neurologist, depending on the suspected disease.

Diagnostics

Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history, and will examine you carefully. Your ability to taste is tested by applying weak solutions of salt, sugar and vinegar to the tongue. The specialist will check different parts of the language.

Smell and taste affect each other, so if you have a problem with taste, your sense of smell should definitely be examined. The doctor will ask about any changes or problems with your sense of smell, then they will check your nasal passages and evaluate your sense of smell.

Information to help your doctor make a diagnosis includes:

• what taste you distinguish, and what not;
• how long have you had the problem;
• whether the taste is constantly disturbed or it happens from time to time;
• What medications do you take.

Special tests with flavor combinations are rarely done. If possible sinus polyps or tumors are suspected, a CT scan may be done.

Modern treatments

If the underlying cause of the taste disorder is identified, the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment for the corresponding disease. For example, if the taste disorder is caused by medications, the doctor may suggest changing the dosage or stopping the medication. If your taste disturbance is due to dental problems, you will be referred to a dentist.

If the taste problem is caused by a nose problem, medications such as nasal sprays may help. First, try to rinse your nose with salt water (Salin, Aquamaris, Aqualor, Marimer, Morenazal), if it doesn’t help, you can use vasoconstrictor drops (Tizin, Nazivin, Nazol, SNUP, Xymelin).

If these are allergy symptoms that continue to cause problems despite the fact that you are currently taking medication, talk to your doctor about steroid nasal sprays for allergy symptoms (Avamys, Dezrinit, Tafen, Flixonase, Nasobek).

Prevention of taste loss at home

There is not much that can be done about taste problems in terms of prevention.

If you smoke, quit.

Make your food more flavorful and rich by adding additional herbs and spices. Avoid using too much sugar or salt.

Why does the taste disappear with coronavirus?

Several studies have already been conducted that link loss of taste and smell to COVID-19 infection. One of the largest studies, which involved more than 2000 people, shows that 68% lost their sense of smell, 71% lost their taste. For comparison, in the control group, where there were symptoms of a respiratory infection, but the analysis for coronavirus was negative, 16% of the perception of smell was disturbed, 17% of taste.

Despite the fact that more research is needed, scientists note that the first symptoms of infection include fever, fatigue, and poor health. Loss of taste and smell should be considered as a likely early symptom, but still its formation is completely optional. The study notes that such symptoms usually disappear within 10 to 14 days.

Is loss of taste always a sign of illness?

Complete or partial loss of taste, its perversion, the presence of a taste in the oral cavity is a symptom of diseases, pathological conditions, or it is a consequence of treatment, trauma. In any case, this is an occasion to visit a doctor and you need to start with a dentist, a neurologist.

Depending on the suspected cause, other specialists will need to be consulted and treated appropriately.

Popular questions and answers

Answered questions about loss of taste otolaryngologist Vera Polkanova.

When analyzing the case histories of patients with COVID-19, it was found that one of the symptoms of the infection was a loss of taste and smell, which was recorded in 59% of patients. However, the scientists said more research is needed to confirm that sensory disturbances are among the first symptoms of infection.