ear, nose, and throat disorders
Overview of Smell and Taste Disorders
Taste
A reduction in the ability to taste (hypogeusia) or loss of taste (ageusia) usually results from conditions that affect the tongue, usually by causing a very dry mouth. Such conditions include Sjögren Syndrome , heavy smoking (especially pipe smoking), radiation therapy of the head and neck, dehydration, and use of medications (including antihistamines and the antidepressant , and nickel levels, can alter both taste and smell. Sudden loss of taste may be an early symptom of COVID-19 . In Bell Palsy (a disorder in which half of the face is paralyzed), the sense of taste is often impaired on the front two thirds of one side of the tongue (the side affected by the palsy). But this loss may not be noticed because taste is normal or increased in the rest of the tongue. Burns to the tongue may temporarily destroy taste buds. Neurologic disorders, including Depression and A distortion of taste (dysgeusia) may be caused by inflammation of the gums ( Gingivitis ) or by many of the same conditions that result in loss of taste or smell, including depression and seizures. Taste may be distorted by some medications, such as the following: Antibiotics Antiseizure medications Antidepressants Certain chemotherapy medications Diuretics Medications used to treat arthritis Thyroid medications Taste can be tested using substances that are sweet (sugar), sour (lemon juice), salty (salt), and bitter (aspirin,quinine, or aloes). 