Taste, impaired

Alternative names:

decreased taste and smell; dysgeusia; impairment of taste; loss of taste; metallic taste

Definition:

Taste impairment ranging from distorted taste to a complete loss of taste.

Considerations:

The tongue can "taste" only sweet, salty, sour, and bitter sensations. Much of what is perceived as "taste" is actually smell.

Taste abnormalities can be caused by anything that interrupts the transfer of taste stimuli to the brain, or conditions that affect the way the brain interprets taste stimuli.

Common causes:

• common cold
• nasal infection due to infection (such as salivary gland infections), polyp, etc.
• influenza
• viral pharyngitis
• mouth dryness
• aging (the number of taste buds diminishes with age)
• heavy smoking (especially pipe smoking) which causes mouth dryness
• vitamin (vitamin B-12) or mineral (zinc in diet) deficiency
• injury to the mouth, nose, or head
• gingivitis
• drug side effects such as antithyroid drugs, captopril, griseofulvin, lithium, penicillamine, procarbazine, rifampin, vinblastine, or vincristine
• Bell's palsy
• Sjogren's syndrome
• streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat)

Note: There may be other causes of impaired taste. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for impaired taste, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.