Search results
Mar 29, 2022 · This article highlights some potential causes of a bad taste in the mouth and discusses its related symptoms and treatments. It also explains the connection between a bad taste in the mouth and COVID-19.
People also ask
Why does my throat taste bad?
Is a bad taste in the mouth a symptom of a medical condition?
What causes a bad taste in the mouth?
Have you been suffering from a foul taste in the back of your throat, even though this cannot be explained by anything you’ve eaten or otherwise ingested? “Foul taste in the throat can be from: chronic sinus problems, acid reflux or tonsil stones,” says Dr. Stacey Silvers, MD, of Madison ENT & Facial Plastic Surgery in NYC, who is board ...
- 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.
Contents
Arrow Down
OverviewSymptoms and CausesDiagnosis and TestsManagement and TreatmentPreventionOutlook / PrognosisLiving With
Contents
Arrow Down
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.
- Jayne Leonard
- Poor oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene or dental health issues such as cavities and gum disease, can contribute to a lingering bad taste. Infection, inflammation, and abscesses may also be involved.
- Dry mouth. A dry or sticky mouth is caused by a lack of saliva. This symptom can accompany a lingering bad taste and bad breath. Saliva is vital to oral health because it reduces the amount of bacteria and food particles in the mouth.
- Acid reflux. Acid reflux happens when stomach acid travels upward through the esophagus. A sour taste in the mouth is a common symptom of acid reflux.
- Oral thrush. This infection is caused by an overgrowth of the Candida fungus. Symptoms include: a bad taste and cottony feeling in the mouth. cracking at the corners of the mouth.
Jul 27, 2023 · Acid reflux can leave a bad taste in your mouth—and your throat (or your esophagus, which leads to your throat) feeling raw or sore. While avoiding triggers is the first step towards steering...
Apr 23, 2021 · Oral thrush causes creamy white lesions, usually on your tongue or inner cheeks. Sometimes oral thrush may spread to the roof of your mouth, your gums or tonsils, or the back of your throat.
Adults with LPR often complain that the back of their throat has a bitter taste, a sensation of burning, or something stuck. Some patients have hoarseness, difficulty swallowing, throat clearing, and difficulty with the sensation of drainage from the back of the nose (postnasal drip). Some may have difficulty breathing if the voice box is affected.
