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Nov 29, 2023 · Experts add that issues like ageusia (complete loss of taste), hypogeusia (reduced sense of taste) and dysgeusia (foul or metallic taste) have been associated with diabetes. How does diabetes cause impaired taste sensation?
- Overview
- Most common causes
- Will the metallic taste go away?
- Ways to reduce the taste
- When to talk with a pro
- The bottom line
Having a metallic mouth taste may be caused by medication or poor oral hygiene. It can also be an early sign of diabetes.
Diabetes is a chronic condition where the body doesn’t make enough insulin or use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that allows sugar to enter the body‘s cells, where it’s then used for energy.
When the body doesn’t make enough or use insulin properly, sugar accumulates in the bloodstream. This leads to high blood sugar.
Uncontrolled diabetes or high blood sugar can cause a range of problems, such as nerve damage and kidney damage. But these aren’t the only side effects of diabetes. Some people with diabetes may also develop a metallic taste in their mouth.
Use of Metformin
Metformin is an oral medication commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes. It reduces the amount of glucose (sugar) produced by the liver. This helps lower blood sugar levels to a safe range. But although Metformin can stabilize blood sugar — thus reducing the risk of serious diabetes complications — some people who take this medication complain of a metallic taste in their mouth. The reason isn’t quite clear, but this taste disturbance is likely due to the prescription drug excreting into saliva. The good news is that this taste problem is often temporary, with taste returning to normal after 1 or 2 weeks.
Parageusia
Parageusia is a taste disorder that can occur alongside diabetes. It’s also known to cause a metallic taste in the mouth. But, what’s the connection between parageusia and diabetes? Simply put, your central nervous system (CNS) affects how your brain perceives taste, and it’s possible that uncontrolled diabetes can affect your nervous system. Prolonged high blood sugar slowly damages the nerves in your body. This can include the nerves in the: •eyes •feet •legs •arms •mouth Parageusia occurs when injury or damage to the CNS distorts taste and smells. Taste disturbances — such as a metallic taste in the mouth — develop when the nerves that affect taste become damaged.
Oral health issues
Oral health issues are another common cause of a metallic taste in the mouth. Many people think of diabetes only affects blood sugar. But too much sugar in your blood can cause problems with your mouth, too.
A metallic taste in your mouth due to diabetes might improve over time. It all depends on the underlying issue.
If you take the drug Metformin, a metallic taste should subside after a few weeks once your body adjusts to the medication. If taste disturbance doesn’t improve, see a medical professional.
Adjusting your dosage or finding an alternative drug might improve your taste.
If a metallic taste is due to sugar in the saliva, controlling your diabetes can also help improve your taste. Additionally, if you develop an infection due to poor dental hygiene, seeing a dentist and treating the infection might improve taste.
Even if you adjust your medication, improve your oral hygiene, and take steps to control your blood sugar, a metallic taste in your mouth might not improve immediately.
As you wait for your condition to improve, here are a few tips to help your food taste better:
•Use different herbs and spices when preparing meals to add additional flavor.
•Drink plenty of water or chew sugarless gum. This might improve a dry mouth and lessen the metallic taste in your mouth.
•When you’re eating, use non-metallic utensils. This can also reduce a metallic taste.
•Treat colds, sinus infections, and allergies. These conditions can worsen a metallic taste.
See a doctor if a metallic taste in your mouth does not improve after a couple of weeks. It’s important that you don’t ignore this taste disturbance, as it can indicate problems with blood sugar control.
If you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, yet you notice a metallic taste in your mouth, see a medical professional. This taste disturbance is sometimes an early sign of diabetes.
A metallic taste in your mouth can distort the taste of foods and beverages, making it difficult to enjoy your favorite foods. Although taste disturbances have different underlying causes, it’s important to see a doctor for symptoms that don’t improve.
This can be an early sign of diabetes, as well as blood sugar that is not in target range.
- Valencia Higuera
Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies to stimulate saliva. Having diabetes can put you at risk for developing a taste disorder, such as having a salty taste in your mouth that won’t go away. You could also have a dry mouth, which can lead to poor oral health.
- Poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss regularly, the result can be teeth and gum problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth infection.
- Prescription drugs. “Some medications can cause a metallic taste because your body absorbs the medicine and it then comes out in the saliva,” Dr. Ford explains.
- Over-the-counter vitamins or medicines. Multivitamins with heavy metals (such as chromium, copper and zinc) or cold remedies (such as zinc lozenges) can cause a metallic taste.
- Infections. Some temporary illnesses can change your sense of taste, which may leave you tasting metal: Colds. Sinusitis. Upper respiratory infections. The taste usually goes away when the infection does, so take it easy and get well soon.
Dysgeusia (pronounced “dis-gyoo-zee-uh”) is a disorder that distorts your sense of taste. People with this condition often say that anything they eat tastes like metal, rancid or bitter. Dysgeusia isn’t a serious medical condition. But it can affect your appetite and quality of life.
Jun 4, 2024 · Diabetes can increase your risk of altered taste, and diabetic neuropathy may play a role by damaging the nerves that perceive and interpret taste. High blood sugar may also contribute to transient loss of taste .
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Feminine Odor from Diabetes. During menstruation, a sweet or unusual odor may arise due to the pH being off with uncontrolled diabetes. “Additionally, uncontrolled diabetics can develop yeast infections — either vaginally or on skin due to the pH changes and higher sugar concentration in menstrual fluids and sweat,” says Dr. Besser.
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