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- You Ate or Drank Something Too Hot. It seems too simple to be true, but eating or drinking something hot may temporarily cause your sense of taste to get weird.
- You Have a Cold or Allergies. Nasal congestion due to an infection from a virus, bacteria or allergies can make it tough to taste your dinner — and that might be one reason why you're feeling a little "meh" about food right now.
- You Have a Nasal Polyp. So, the plot thickens if you have a cold or allergies that lead to sinusitis (a sinus infection), an inflammation of the nose and sinus cavities, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
- You're Taking a New-to-You Medication. Certain medications can disturb your sense of taste, including thyroid medications and certain ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure, antifungals and chemotherapy drugs, per Michigan Medicine.
- Overview
- Symptoms and Causes
- Diagnosis and Tests
- Management and Treatment
- Prevention
- Outlook / Prognosis
- Living With
Dysgeusia is a taste disorder. People with the condition feel that all foods taste sour, sweet, bitter or metallic. Dysgeusia can be caused by many different factors, including infection, some medications and vitamin deficiencies. Treatment involves addressing the underlying cause of dysgeusia.
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OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving With
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What are the symptoms of dysgeusia?
Dysgeusia symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Here are some hallmark signs: Foods that used to taste good now taste bad, and sometimes rotten. Foods that are characteristically sweet or salty no longer taste sweet or salty. All foods taste metallic or bitter. There’s a taste in your mouth even though you haven’t eaten anything.
What causes dysgeusia?
It's important to mention that the most common cause by and large is loss of sense of smell. This is particularly seen with COVID-19 infections. There are other different factors that can lead to the development of dysgeusia:
How is dysgeusia diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider will examine you and ask about your symptoms. If they determine that you have dysgeusia, then the next step will be identifying the underlying cause. In many cases, treating the root cause can ease your symptoms and help your sense of taste return to normal.
What tests will be done to diagnose dysgeusia?
You may need to undergo diagnostic tests to further evaluate your altered sense of taste. Your provider may first start with a smell identification test to see if your dysgeusia is linked to anosmia (loss of sense of smell). Your provider may also proceed with taste threshold or flavor discrimination assessments. If your provider suspects that nutritional deficiencies are causing your dysgeusia, then they may recommend blood tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC). They can also run tests to measure your potassium, calcium, iron and vitamin B12 levels. If your provider is concerned that a growth or structural abnormality could be causing your altered sense of taste, then they may perform imaging tests, such as X-rays, CT (computed tomography) scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
What can be done for dysgeusia?
Dysgeusia treatment depends on the underlying cause of your condition. For example, if your dysgeusia is caused by a nutritional deficiency, then supplements can usually correct the issue. If you’re taking medication that could potentially affect your taste receptors, then your provider will likely change your prescriptions. People who smoke may experience dysgeusia. Kicking the habit can dramatically improve sense of taste.
What should I eat if I have dysgeusia?
Some experts recommend eating foods that contain only a few ingredients. When foods have several ingredients, tastes can become mixed together and cause an unpleasant effect. Many people find that dysgeusia symptoms are reduced when they avoid spicy, preservative-filled and extremely sweet foods. Care at Cleveland Clinic Find a Primary Care Provider Schedule an Appointment
How can I reduce my risk for dysgeusia?
You can reduce your risk for dysgeusia by avoiding smoking, staying hydrated, practicing good oral hygiene and avoiding contracting COVID-19. If you notice a change in your sense of taste, try to identify anything new in your daily regimen, such as unfamiliar foods or new medications.
What can I expect if I have dysgeusia?
In most cases, dysgeusia goes away on its own once the underlying cause is treated. However, some conditions — such as Alzheimer’s disease — can’t be treated, only managed. In these instances, dysgeusia treatment must be focused on improving nutrition and appetite.
Can dysgeusia be cured?
Yes, in most cases. Dysgeusia usually goes away once the root cause is treated.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
If you’ve experienced dysgeusia symptoms for more than a couple of weeks, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit with your healthcare provider. They can help determine what's causing your altered sense of taste and design a personalized treatment plan to address the problem. A note from Cleveland Clinic Dysgeusia is bothersome and can interfere with your quality of life. In most cases, your sense of taste will return to normal once the underlying problem is treated. To reduce the effects of dysgeusia, drink plenty of water, stop smoking and practice excellent oral hygiene. Medically Reviewed Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 11/04/2021. Learn more about our editorial process.
- Age. As you get older, it can get harder for you to notice flavors. Some women can start to lose their taste buds in their 40s. For men, the change can happen in their 50s.
- Medication. Prescription drugs can affect how your taste buds pick up flavors. Or they could put different chemicals into your saliva. Your taste and smell may go wrong if you’re taking
- Illnesses. Your taste could be affected if you have: An infection in your nose, throat, or sinuses. A head injury, which might affect the nerves related to taste and smell.
- Cancer Treatment. If you’re being treated for cancer, your sense of taste might be thrown off by: Chemotherapy. It affects the taste of about half the people who get it.
Oct 14, 2021 · Parosmia caused many of her once-favorite foods to smell and taste like rancid garbage. “I didn’t enjoy any foods. There was no protein in my diet at all,” Maille told Focus. “I thought I was getting to the end of all the hard stuff that came with COVID-19, especially all the isolation at school. And then this hit me right in the face ...
Jun 11, 2024 · Possible causes of taste disorders and a loss of taste can include: upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold. COVID-19. sinus infections. middle ear infections. poor oral hygiene and ...
May 23, 2022 · 3 causes of dysgeusia. Aside from direct damage to the tongue and mouth, dysgeusia can be caused by several factors: infection or disease, medicines, or damage to the central nervous system. 1 ...
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