Loss of taste or lack of taste means the absence of taste while eating. By saying the loss of taste, it means the loss of taste buds. Loss of taste causes the mouth to have a metallic taste or a ‘bad taste’. You might not want to eat your food because you lack taste buds. There are various causes of loss of taste and there are different treatments available for them. It is a temporary condition. There can be a partial or a complete loss of taste. It is not common to lose the taste sensation completely.
The medical term for complete loss of taste, which is very rare is called Ageusia and temporary loss of taste is called Dysgeusia. It is caused by hiatus of the transfer of taste sensations to the brain cells. Your brain does not respond to the taste sensations which causes a loss of taste buds.
Loss of taste can also be described as an overpowering and typically unpleasant taste in the mouth. Without any taste or smell, life becomes truly boring as you are not able to taste and smell your favourite food but there are different loss of taste treatments available for you.
Keep reading to find out.
What causes Loss of Taste?
You might be wondering what causes loss of taste? Well, we are here to tell you. The causes of Loss of taste can vary from cold or flu to a severe health issue. Nowadays, the loss of taste and smell is considered a dominant symptom of Coronavirus. Mostly, it is caused by some trouble in your respiratory system. Sometimes, when you are suffering from a common cold, the nose gets congested and there is a lack of smell and because of that, your mouth also loses the taste as they are linked with each other.
Loss Of TasteSome of the most common causes of loss of taste buds include:
- Respiratory infections like the common cold
- Flu
- Ear infections
- Throat infections
- Nasal infection or sinus infection
- Poor dental or oral hygiene
- Radiation therapies for the mouth area
Apart from these common symptoms, there are some other possible causes of having a lack of taste such as:
- Deficiency in Vitamin B-12
- Taking certain medications
- Head or ear injuries
- Smoking
- Salivary gland infections etc.
Ageing is also a cause of loss of taste. Old people generally suffer from this condition. The taste bud cells get regenerated after every one or two weeks. After the age of 50, these taste bud cells lose their sensitivity and ability to regenerate. There is various loss of taste treatments. Rather than ignoring this problem, you should talk to a specialist about it so that they can guide you on the cause and treatment.
Heartburn or gastric reflux is a common cause of loss of taste. Stomach acid regurgitated into the mouth produces a loss of normal taste and results in a taste described as acidic or metallic. Lack of taste can also be a symptom of a disorder in your nervous system. The nervous system is responsible for sending reactions to different sensations. Any disorder can cause an interruption in this which leads to a loss of taste.
Treatment for Loss of Taste
Loss of taste treatment depends on the cause of loss of taste. Based on causes and symptoms, the doctor may consult you on what would be the treatment. By determining the root of your loss of taste sensation he may suggest the type and dose of your medication. If you smoke and experience loss of taste, quitting it might help to recover the taste in your mouth.
In common cases like the common cold or the flu, the doctor might prescribe you with medications like antihistamines and decongestants which may help you from relieving a congested nose and loss of taste. The taste sensation will recover as soon as the illness is cured.
For bacterial infections in the ear or nose, which causes loss of taste and smell like a sinus infection or middle ear infections, the doctor may suggest you take antibiotics which removes the infections from the ear and nose.
For the treatment of serious medical issues like nervous system disorders, the doctor may recommend you with a special treatment plan. Loss of taste in aged people is expected. Your doctor may prescribe you the medications according to the root cause of your loss of taste.
Change in lifestyle
Sometimes, our lifestyle and bad habits may also be a great cause of loss of taste. As we’ve read earlier, poor hygiene and smoking habits can be the causes of loss of taste. However, changing these bad habits and taking care of our oral hygiene may avoid lack of taste. Brushing two times a day and taking proper care of your dental and overall oral hygiene can reverse the problem of loss of taste.
Brushing and properly cleaning your mouth can also help you protect from various gum diseases like cavities and gingivitis. If you are a smoker and are suffering from the loss of taste, you should try quitting smoking to get your taste back. Using antibiotics for inflammation and infections in the nose and ear can help you get your taste back.
Loss of taste is a very common condition. Loss of taste treatment depends on the cause of your loss in taste. You should always consider talking to your doctor. Causes like the flu or cold, bacterial infections in the ear or nose, some serious disorders in the nervous system etc. can be the causes of your loss of taste. Loss of taste can be infuriating. Taking good care of yourself, keeping yourself away from infections and developing good and healthy habits may prevent you from developing loss of taste.
Loss of taste is also considered a primary cause of Covid-19 nowadays. If you feel fatigued or tired and you have a loss of smell and taste, stay at home and get tested if you have symptoms. As Covid 19 is also a respiratory syndrome, it is common to have a loss of taste. Stay at home and isolate yourself if you experience the symptoms.
Also read: Taste Buds Can Change, Know how?
