Dysgeusia, an altered sense of taste, can be brought on by a variety of conditions, some of which, like dementia, are chronic illnesses while others, like the common cold, resolve on their own.
The majority of patients describe very distinct and unusual tastes, and in some cases, it is unclear whether a person has a smell or taste impairment. Taste distortion is typically very noticeable.
The majority of conditions that impair taste, such as vitamin deficiencies, can be treated, and often, your sense of taste will improve after treatment. It is also important to get a diagnosis for the cause of symptoms, especially if the cause of dysgeusia is not something obvious like a cold sore or pregnancy
SYMPTOMS OF DYSGEUSIA
Some people complain of a metallic taste, a bitter taste, a salty taste, or an unappealing sweetness, which can occur while someone is eating or drinking or even when they are not consuming anything by mouth.
In contrast to dysgeusia, which frequently results in food aversion, dysgeusia can occasionally cause nausea but can also interfere with enjoyment of all or some foods.
Associated Symptoms
- Bad breath
- Stuffy nose
- Sore throat
- Nausea
- Stomach upset
- Head pain
- Fatigue
- Fevers
- A dry mouth
- Internal mouth ache or discomfort
COMPLICATION OF DYSGEUSIA
In fact, pregnant women who experience dysgeusia frequently lose several pounds. However, in a healthy person, appetite is restored once dysgeusia resolves, and most people gain their weight back again. When someone experiences dysgeusia for a short period of time, they may develop a decreased appetite and lose weight even if this problem only lasts for a few days.
Some people may experience weight loss if their sense of taste is distorted by a chronic illness like diabetes1, gastrointestinal (GI) disease, or a stroke.
Dysgeusia can cause malnutrition even if weight loss is not necessarily the result. This is because it can cause a preference for unhealthy foods.
CAUSES OF DYSGEUSIA
Dysgeusia can be brought on by a variety of factors, some of which are connected to changes in the mouth (such as dry mouth, dental issues, or chemotherapy), while others are based on modifications in the neurological components of taste perception (such as pregnancy and migraines).
The following are typical transient causes of dysgeusia:
- A cold
- Postnasal drip
- Pregnancy
- Xerostoma—dry mouth
- Distorted sense of smell
- Nutritional deficiency
- Smoking
- Allergies
- Migraines
- Gastrointestinal (GI) infection
- Constipation
- Medication
Chronic Illnesses
It can be challenging to determine which of these senses is impaired because many medical conditions that affect taste sensation also affect the sense of smell.
The following conditions are frequently linked to a decreased sense of taste:
- GI disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Diabetes
- Dementia
- Nerve damage
- Stroke
Chemical Exposure
Chemicals found in pesticides, cosmetics, detergents, and industrial settings can enter the body through the skin, mouth, or nasal passages and can also impair one’s sense of taste when exposed.
DIAGNOSIS OF DYSGEUSIA
A person’s altered sense of taste can be tested for during the diagnostic process for dysgeusia, and the cause of the condition is then determined.
There are a number of diagnostic procedures that can be used to assess taste, some of which measure our reactions to various tastes while others assess nerve function.
- Taste-threshold test
- Taste-suprathreshold test
- Taste-quadrant test
- Flavor discrimination test
- Electrogustometry
- Gustatory event potentials
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR DYSGEUSIA
NATRUM MUR :Given when there is alternate fluent nasal discharge with nasal stoppage. Also helpful when loss of taste is complained of along with loss of smell. Useful medicine for dysgeusia with reduced smell or loss of smell from cold, nasal allergies, and a history of severe colds with clear white copious nasal discharge.
PULSATILLA :The most effective treatment for reduced or lost smell is dysgeusia, which also causes loss of taste and appetite. Recurrent colds may be present, and there may be thick yellowish, greenish nasal discharge.
CALCAREA CARB :This medication is recommended for people who have dysgeusia, a condition in which they lose their sense of smell due to nasal polyps, have a propensity to catch colds often, alternate nasal dryness, blocked noses, and scabs or ulcers in their nostrils.
TEUICRUM :There is a crawling sensation in the nostrils and a discharge of green scabs from the nostrils, and the medication is well indicated for dysgeusia cases of decreased or loss of smell from nasal polyps.
SILICEA :There is a useful medication for dysgeusia in cases of diminished or loss of smell, a tendency for chronic colds and sinus inflammation or infection, a frequent cold with loss of smell, including a completely blocked nose and sore scabs in the nostrils, as well as fetid, unpleasant green or yellow pus-like nasal discharge, pain in the forehead, and loss of taste as well.
KALI BICHROME :The chronic inflammation of the nose’s mucous membrane and the presence of sinuses are typical symptoms of dysgeusia. This medication is extremely helpful in cases where there is a putrid smell coming from the nose as well as dryness, obstruction, pressure in the nose’s root, and tough, ropy discharges dripping into the throat from the back of the nostrils.
LEMNA MINOR :Helpful for a bad odor coming from the nose when nasal polyps are present, as well as when the nose is blocked, releasing a crusty or pus-like discharge, and having frequent sneezing fits.
GRAPHITES :Excellent treatment for dysgeusia when there is a discharge of thick, yellowish, offensive mucus from the nose as well as a stoppage of the nose.
PHOSPHORUS :When nasal polyps are present, especially those that bleed easily, helpful medicine is available for dysgeusia, which can cause long-term nasal membrane inflammation, sneezing with flu-like nasal discharges that alternate with nasal obstruction, and more.
RL 1 :Drops for congestion, nasal, and allergy
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