Loss of taste in food (lack of taste for sweet, salty). How to cure loss of smell and taste

Neurologist of the highest category, specialist in the field of extrapyramidal pathologies, doctor of the highest category

Loss of taste can be a symptom of several diseases. Some of these diseases can be quite serious.

A variety of oral diseases can cause the patient to lose his sense of taste. In addition, diseases of the brain and other organs can cause the loss of the ability to sense taste.

Some diseases cause partial loss of taste, while others cause complete loss of taste. Moreover, in some cases you may lose the ability to taste certain types of food, and in some cases the patient may be haunted by the same taste. In some cases, such disorders can spoil the appetite or prevent the patient from communicating normally with people.

In most cases, the inability to taste is caused by a general malaise or health disorder. For example, a runny nose can temporarily deprive a person of the ability to taste food.

Impairment of the ability to perceive taste can also occur with the flu. Flu viruses also affect the taste buds. These same viruses can infect the nerve endings of taste buds, which can cause loss of taste. Allergies can also cause problems with taste perception. The salivary glands play a huge role in the perception of taste, so a simple delay in the secretion of saliva can also distort the taste sensations.

In addition, there are many violations that do not change the taste of food for the better. Such disorders, for example, include various gum diseases, caries, periodontitis and gingivitis. In addition, the cause of impaired taste perception can be dentures, which cover a large number of taste buds located on the hard palate.

A weakened sense of taste can also be caused by serious neurological disorders, which include, for example, brain tumors, head injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, etc. The perception of taste can be affected by various surgical interventions, as well as deficiencies of vitamins and microelements. Taste disturbances in humans can also be caused by improper or inadequate nutrition.

In most cases, loss of taste or decreased perception of taste is a general medical problem. The patient's condition should be assessed by a therapist. Loss of taste is a reason for a comprehensive examination of the patient. After determining the causes of the disorder, the doctor will be able to prescribe the most effective treatment.

Loss of smell and impaired taste are quite common problems. This disorder can be temporary or chronic, complete or partial. What to do if a person has stopped hearing smells and tasting food, and what are the reasons for this phenomenon?

Loss of the sense of taste and smell has a specific classification. Depending on the degree of manifestation of the disorder, the following varieties are distinguished:

1. Hyposmia, a partial loss of the ability to sense and distinguish smells, is the most widespread.
2. Anosmia is a complete loss of olfactory function. With anosmia, behavioral disorders develop and the patient's quality of life decreases, depriving him of the opportunity to enjoy food. Sometimes this disorder causes the development of depression, anorexia, and exhaustion of the body.

This problem can be extremely dangerous. When a person ceases to distinguish between the aromas of taste and smell, he becomes uninterested in the process of eating food, which often leads to refusal to eat. Against this background, numerous complications, diseases of a nervous and gastroenterological nature develop.

In addition, if a person does not smell smoke, gas, or toxic substances, this can pose a serious threat not only to his health, but even to life.

Why does it occur?

The ability to sense and distinguish aromas is a complex physiological process. The mucous membranes of the human nasal membranes are equipped with special olfactory receptors that perceive odors. With the help of the olfactory nerve, the corresponding information enters certain areas of the brain responsible for recognizing aromas.

Therefore, loss of smell can be caused by various factors of an otolaryngological and nervous nature. The following reasons cause loss of taste of food and sense of smell:

• diseases of the nose - sinusitis, polyps, rhinitis;
• consequences of a cold;
• curvature of the nasal septum (congenital or acquired);
• tumor neoplasms localized in the brain;
• Parkinson's disease;
• allergic reactions;
• previous surgical interventions in the nasal cavity;
• multiple sclerosis;
• echinococcosis;
• prolonged, uncontrolled use of vasoconstrictor drops and sprays;
• traumatic injuries to the nose;
• inflammatory lesions of the olfactory nerve;
• diabetes;
• traumatic brain injuries;
• age-related changes (in people over 65 years of age).

Most often, the sense of smell is impaired after a cold, which is due to the presence of nasal discharge, the use of vasoconstrictor drugs, and irritation of the mucous membranes and receptors.

Anosmia can act as a symptom of serious pathologies that affect internal organs, such as cancer, renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, hormonal disorders, and endocrine diseases.

Therefore, if a person has no sense of taste and aromas for a long time, it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Diagnostic measures

When you lose your sense of smell, the causes and treatments are largely interrelated. To achieve stable positive results, it is necessary to identify the provoking factor, the underlying disease and concentrate on its treatment. For example, a person who has lost the ability to distinguish smells due to a cold and a patient with a traumatic brain injury will have completely different treatment methods.

In this regard, diagnostics must be carried out comprehensively. First, the otolaryngologist examines the patient, studies the clinical picture, concomitant diseases and the results of the collected anamnesis. To determine the causes of anosmia, the following instrumental techniques are prescribed:

• rhinoscopy;
• X-ray examination;
• ultrasound diagnostics.

To test the olfactory function, specialists use aromatic oils, cloves, coffee beans, and aromatic soap. Sweet, bitter, and sour substances help determine the ability to sense and identify taste.

In some particularly complex cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain may be recommended for diagnostic purposes.

Based on the results obtained, the doctor gives the patient an accurate diagnosis, indicating the causes of anosmia and determines how to treat the disease.

Principles of treatment

When anosmia is diagnosed, the treatment program is developed depending on the reasons that provoked this problem and the underlying disease.

In some difficult cases, for example, with congenital anosmia, treatment is complicated by the inability of neurons to regenerate processes. In such a situation, only surgical intervention will be effective, and only if it is carried out before the child reaches 4-5 years of age.

Loss of taste and smell due to a runny nose, polyposis, and sinusitis requires the elimination of pathological processes affecting the olfactory organs. Therapeutic methods for these purposes are used both conservative and surgical, depending on the characteristics of a particular clinical case.

If the loss of the taste of food and the ability to distinguish odors is caused by traumatic injuries to the nose, head, or face, then the patient does not require special treatment. Elimination of the consequences of injury and proper rehabilitation will lead to the natural restoration of olfactory functions, provided there is no intersection of the so-called pathways.

During radiation therapy, loss of smell is caused by damage to the mucous membranes and nerve fibers. Unfortunately, these types of changes are irreversible and practically cannot be corrected therapeutically.

Conservative therapy

Conservative methods of treating anosmia are selected by the doctor individually, based on the characteristics of the underlying disease. If the patient has been diagnosed with sinusitis, viral or bacterial rhinitis, he is prescribed a course of antibiotic or antiviral therapy.

To clear the nasal cavity of snot and reduce swelling of the nasal mucous membranes, anti-inflammatory drugs intended for external use may be recommended.

If the ability to recognize odors is a manifestation of allergic reactions, then treatment is carried out with the help of antihistamines, corticosteroid hormones, which have pronounced anti-inflammatory properties.

Often, patients suffering from anosmia are prescribed drugs with a high content of zinc as an addition to conservative or surgical therapy, since the lack of this substance in the body negatively affects the olfactory function. It is also recommended to take vitamins of group A, which prevent degenerative processes in the epithelial layer of the nasal mucosa.

All medications must be prescribed individually by a doctor, and they are allowed to be taken only subject to strict adherence to the dosage and duration of the treatment course.

A good therapeutic effect is achieved by rinsing the nasal cavity, helping to eliminate mucous secretions, cleanse the mucous membranes of pus, allergens, toxic substances, and restore drainage properties. This kind of physiotherapeutic procedures is recommended to be carried out daily, 2-3 times throughout the day.

Surgery

Surgical intervention to restore olfactory function is necessary if the following clinical indications exist:

• the presence of polyps in the nasal cavity;
• deviated nasal septum;
• tumor neoplasms (benign or malignant) localized in the nose and paranasal sinuses.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy treat the sense of smell in the development of oncological processes, malignant tumors of the brain, ENT organs after a preliminary operation to remove tumors.

Folk recipes

Traditional medicine can be very effective for disorders of the olfactory function caused by a runny nose and swelling of the mucous membranes. To achieve maximum effect, it is recommended to combine home remedies with medications and procedures prescribed by your doctor.

The most effective and efficient recipes for restoring the ability to sense smells and tastes, borrowed from the treasury of traditional medicine, are the following:

Despite the fact that folk remedies have a natural composition, it is strongly recommended to consult with your doctor before using them.

Loss of smell is a serious problem that not only reduces a person’s quality of life, but may also indicate the presence of serious diseases and malfunctions in the body that require immediate medical intervention. Therefore, if a person ceases to distinguish the smell and taste of food, it is necessary to contact an otolaryngologist, undergo diagnostics to determine the provoking factors of anosmia and appropriate treatment.

Depending on the causes of the problem, restoration of olfactory function can be carried out using conservative therapy methods or through surgical intervention.

In modern medical practice, complete or partial loss of taste is often encountered. All these cases are associated with various malfunctions that occurred in the human body. But most often they are found in otolaryngology. It is during an appointment with this specialist that patients often ask: “What to do if you no longer feel the taste of food?” After reading today's article, you will understand why such a pathology occurs.

Causes of the problem

Oddly enough, but most often this pathology develops as a result of neurosis. This is a peculiar reaction of the human body to stress and nervous overload. In these cases, you can hear from the patient not only the phrase “I don’t feel the taste of food,” but also complaints about disruptions in the gastrointestinal tract, surges in blood pressure, and rapid heartbeat.

An equally common cause of this problem is considered to be infectious diseases of the oral cavity or the presence of a decaying dental nerve. In this case, an inflammatory process begins in the human body, affecting

Also, such a pathology can be a consequence of malfunctions of the thyroid gland. Even minimal deviations can lead to serious changes in many systems of the human body.

Doctors often hear the phrase “I can’t taste food” from those diagnosed with a brain tumor. In this case, this symptom may alternate with a feeling of unpleasant odor. So, a well-prepared dish made from quality ingredients suddenly begins to seem stale.

Which specialist should I contact with a similar problem?

Before you go to the doctor’s office and voice your complaint “I can’t taste the food” (the reasons why such a pathology occurs were discussed above), you need to understand which specific doctor you need to see. In this situation, much depends on what accompanying symptoms accompany this pathology.

If, in addition to loss of taste, the patient complains of decreased appetite, rapid heartbeat and surges in blood pressure, then he should definitely consult a neurologist.

In cases where the pathology is accompanied by dizziness, weakness, vomiting, impaired hearing and coordination of movements, you should first make an appointment with an oncologist.

If a person who utters the phrase “I can’t taste food” complains of nausea, vomiting, heartburn and acute pain in the epigastric region, then it is likely that he needs to examine the gastrointestinal tract.

If familiar foods seem bitter, and every meal is accompanied by painful sensations in the right hypochondrium, then you need to visit a hepatologist. It is possible that loss of sensitivity of taste buds, accompanied by flatulence, defecation disorders, insomnia and irritability, is a consequence of cholecystitis.

Diagnostic methods

A person who seeks medical help and voices the phrase “I can’t taste food” will need to undergo several additional tests. They will allow you to establish the exact cause that provoked the development of the pathology and prescribe adequate treatment.

First of all, the specialist must determine the threshold for sensitivity. To do this, the patient is alternately asked to determine the taste of quinine hypochloride, sugar, table salt and citric acid. The results of the study allow us to create an accurate clinical picture and the extent of the problem. To determine the qualitative threshold of sensations, a few drops of a special solution are applied to individual areas of the oral cavity.

In addition, modern doctors have the opportunity to conduct electrometric studies. The patient is also prescribed a number of laboratory tests. They are needed to exclude endocrine diseases. In most cases, the patient is sent for a computed tomography scan.

Why is this pathology dangerous?

It should be noted that it can cause serious health problems. A person who begins to wonder: “Why can’t I taste food?”, in the absence of proper treatment, may subsequently be diagnosed with diabetes, cardiovascular and other diseases.

Disruption of the receptors can result in a person consuming too much salt or sugar. These attempts to improve the taste of food can lead to serious problems. They often lead to depression, hypertension and diabetes.

What to do if you can't taste food?

First of all, you need to make an appointment with a doctor and undergo all the tests he recommends. This will allow you to determine the root cause of the problem and prescribe the correct treatment.

So, if the problem was caused by neurosis, the patient will be recommended to undergo an individual course consisting of auto-training, water and magnetic therapy. He will also be prescribed sedative herbal remedies, and in more serious cases, tranquilizers or bromides. If the reason lies in a malfunction of the thyroid gland, then endocrinologists usually prescribe drugs to replenish iodine deficiency.

To improve your taste sensitivity, you need to quit smoking. Often it is this bad habit that causes such problems. Also, taste sensations may be dulled while taking certain medications, including strong antibiotics. In this case, you need to consult a doctor so that he can recommend other medications that do not have such side effects.

In addition, you should make sure that your body receives a sufficient amount of vitamins and microelements. To do this, you need to introduce more fresh vegetables and fruits into your diet. If you lose taste, you should not overuse spices. Otherwise, you risk getting a burn to the oral mucosa.

Many people are faced with a phenomenon where the ability to perceive smells and tastes noticeably decreases or disappears altogether.

To those who are not familiar with this condition, all this may seem like something insignificant. But in fact, the loss of taste and smell greatly complicates life, makes it dull and insipid, which greatly affects the emotional state.

Each of us perceives odors through sensitive cells that are located in the mucous membrane deep in the nasal cavity. The signal travels through nerve channels to the brain, which processes the information.

Taste buds are located in the oral cavity. Salty, sour, sweet or bitter are perceived by special papillae of the tongue. Each group occupies its own zone and is responsible for the perception of a particular taste. All taste sensations are also analyzed by the brain.

Loss of smell in medical terms is anosmia. If a person has ceased to perceive tastes, this is called augesia.

The nerve fibers of both analyzers are closely connected. Therefore, a missing sense of smell often leads to changes in taste sensations, familiar dishes are perceived inadequately, because... It seems to us that food does not have the usual taste. But in reality, we are simply not able to detect the aroma of a dish.

The most common causes of disorders of taste and olfactory perception

The most common reason that we stop perceiving the smell and taste of food is a cold, but it may not be the only culprit. It is very important to determine the origin of symptoms in time in order to prescribe the correct therapy.

Acute inflammation, swelling and accumulation of mucus occur with a common cold, which provokes the development of pathogenic flora, which is always present in the body, or the penetration of viruses and bacteria into the body. When unfavorable conditions arise and the general weakening of the immune system, pathogens multiply quickly. The sinuses, when fighting infection, produce mucus, which is designed to combat the deeper penetration of pathogens.

Loss of smell and inability to enjoy food can have several causes:

1. dysfunction of the muscles working in the walls of the nasal vessels. This effect is observed in those who abuse drops for the common cold. They do not have a therapeutic effect, but only affect the symptoms, so they are not recommended for use for more than 5 days. After this period, vasoconstrictor agents begin to negatively affect the condition of the mucous membrane, as a result of which our olfactory abilities are impaired;
2. allergy. It causes severe swelling and profuse nasal discharge, which leads to loss of smell;
3. contact with irritants. Some substances or even products can act as provocateurs. You may lose your sense of smell or taste after contact with garlic or vinegar. Olfactory dysfunction often occurs when using chemical cleaning products with a strong odor. The functioning of the receptors in the nasal mucosa is also disrupted when they are exposed to cigarette smoke;
4. hormonal disbalance. The perception of taste and smell sometimes changes during menstruation or pregnancy, or taking oral contraceptives. Such changes are temporary and usually go away on their own;
   congenital and acquired anatomical defects. This should include polyps, adenoids, various inflammations, and individual structural features of the nasal septum. Surgery can solve some of these problems;
5. mechanical damage. They arise not only as a result of extensive trauma, but also due to exposure to small particles: metal or wood shavings, dust, etc.;
6. age-related changes;
7. CNS disorders.

Loss of sensation due to nervous disorders

Has several gradations:

• complete loss of sensation (anosmia);
• illusory perception of surrounding odors (cacosmia);
• partial perception, capturing only strong odors (hyposmia);
• highly heightened sense of smell (hyperosmia).

All problems associated with the sense of smell are usually caused by reasons that can be classified into two groups: peripheral action and central action. For the first group, the cause is pathologies arising in the nasal cavity. The second are the consequences of disruption of the brain, as well as the olfactory nerve under the influence of various diseases or age.

Loss of taste and smell after a cold or due to other reasons can lead to a state of apathy or increased irritability. Many resort to symptomatic treatment.

But to effectively fight to restore sensitivity and normalize the functioning of the receptors in the nasal cavity and mouth, you need to follow medical recommendations. Only a doctor can accurately determine why the sense of smell and taste is lost and give the right advice on how to restore them.

You especially need to be wary if the person who has lost sensitivity does not have a runny nose. You may need the help of a neurologist to diagnose possible brain pathologies or other serious diseases.

Methods to combat loss of sensitivity

The attending physician knows best how to restore the sense of taste and smell during a cold.

Sometimes it is necessary to conduct a special test, which is designed to determine how right the patient is when he says: “I don’t feel the taste of food...” or “The sense of smell has disappeared...” The test consists of asking the patient in turn to inhale the contents of bottles containing strong-smelling substances. A vinegar solution, valerian tincture, and ammonia are usually poured there.

At home, in the experiment, you can use those liquids and products that are on hand: alcohol, perfume or paint thinner, a burnt match. If the patient is still unable to smell each subsequent smell, then we can conclude that he has a problem.

To figure out how to restore your sense of smell and the ability to enjoy food, you definitely need an otolaryngologist.

Traditional treatment

If the doctor determines that the cause of excessive mucous discharge is a cold, sinusitis, viral infections, or allergies, vasoconstrictors are prescribed. On the 3-5th day of using the appropriate drops or spray, you usually feel a significant improvement in nasal breathing. Over time, the patient will notice that his sense of smell is gradually restored.

A runny nose caused by a virus infection occurs in most cases. It responds well to symptomatic treatment. The patient is advised to drink plenty of warm fluids, administer saline and antiviral agents.

If the cause of the malaise is a bacterial infection, then antibiotics will be required. Allergic rhinitis can be treated with antihistamines.

All the methods described above eliminate the cause of the disease. But how can you restore your sense of smell and taste if your nose is stuffy? It is necessary to clear the respiratory system of accumulated thickened mucus.

For this, a ready-made preparation or a simple saline solution, which is easy to make at home, is suitable. Take 1 tsp. salt (preferably sea salt), stir it in warm boiled water (1 glass). You will also need a syringe. The resulting filtered solution is taken there and both nostrils are washed alternately over the sink so that the water enters one nostril and flows out of the other. It is advisable to carry out the procedure 2-3 times a day.

How to relieve the condition

What other methods can be resorted to, what can be done to alleviate the patient’s condition? He is shown:

• Hot shower. The nasal passages are well cleaned by steam. After the shower, you need to wrap yourself up well and go to bed.
• Air humidification. Try to maintain room humidity within 60-65%. To do this, you can hang a wet cloth on the steam heating radiator or use a humidifier purchased in a store.
• Lots of warm liquid. Teas, compotes, fruit drinks, and not very rich chicken broth are suitable.
• Physiotherapy, laser therapy, magnetic therapy. Inhalations using drugs containing hydrocortisone will help.
• Use of immunomodulatory agents.
• A good help is massage and breathing exercises.

How to restore lost taste sensations? The best answer to this question can be obtained from a specialist. Doctors usually prescribe medications containing erythromycin if the bacterial or viral nature of the ailment is identified, as well as artificial saliva preparations if there is a deficiency of it.

Folk remedies

The advantage of traditional medicine is that it uses only natural substances. These recipes can also be used in addition to drug treatment. Here are the simplest ones:

• Inhalations. Add 10 drops of lemon juice and one of the essential oils to a glass of boiling water: mint, lavender, fir or eucalyptus. Treatment lasts from 5 to 10 days, one procedure per day. Inhalations over hot potatoes, chamomile and sage decoctions are also very popular.
• Oil drops. Menthol and camphor oils are usually used in equal proportions or basil oil.
• Turunda. 2 times a day, cotton swabs soaked in butter and vegetable oil in equal parts plus three times less propolis are placed in the nasal passages.
• Drops. Based on honey and beet juice (1:3), peach oil, mumiyo (10:1).
• Warming up. Only if the doctor who determined the cause of the disease does not prohibit it, because warming up is not always useful.
• Balm “Star”. It is recommended to lubricate certain points.

To restore taste they also use:

• Herbal inhalations.
• Drink. Milk with honey helps a lot.
• Garlic decoction. Boil 200 ml of water, boil 4 cloves of garlic in it for 2-3 minutes, add a little salt and drink hot.

Impatient patients often ask the question: “How quickly can I recover when I again feel all the shades of smells and tastes?” A doctor will never be able to answer such questions with certainty. How long it will take a person to get back to normal depends on the individual characteristics of each person.

Prevention

Prevention will help you avoid problems. In order not to ask the doctor about why the sense of smell or sense of taste disappears, diseases of the nasopharynx should be treated in a timely manner, and in case of chronic runny nose, hygiene procedures should not be neglected.

And also follow the traditional advice about eating healthy food, getting rid of bad habits, walking and exercising in the fresh air. It is always better to prevent the occurrence of a disease than to treat it for a long time.

A change in taste means there is a problem with the sense of taste. Problems range from distorted taste to complete loss of taste sensitivity. However, complete inability to taste is extremely rare.

Taste is a combination of taste and smell. The tongue can only detect sweet, salty, sour and bitter tastes. Much of what is perceived as "taste" is actually smell. People who have problems with taste often have a disorder of smell, the ability to perceive smells, which makes it difficult to determine the taste of food.

Taste problems can be caused by something that interrupts the transmission of taste sensations to the brain, or by conditions that affect the brain's interpretation of those sensations. The sense of taste often declines after age 60. Most often, the taste of salty and sweet is lost first. Bitter and sour tastes are distorted or reduced a little later.

Common causes of taste disturbance

The main causes of taste disturbance include:

Bell's palsy - facial nerve paralysis
- Cold
- Flu
- Nasal infections
- Nasal polyps, sinusitis
- Pharyngitis
- Infections of the salivary glands.

Other possible reasons:

Ear surgery
- Long-term smoking (especially pipe smoking)
- Injuries to the mouth, nose or head
- Dry mouth
- Medicines such as antithyroid drugs, captopril, griseofulvin, lithium, penicillamine, procarbazine, rifampicin, and some drugs used to treat cancer
- Inflammation of the gums (gingivitis)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency or zinc deficiency

What examinations are carried out for loss of taste?

The doctor may perform a physical examination and ask questions to which you may want to be prepared to answer:

Have all foods and drinks tasted different?
- Do you smoke?
- Does a change in taste affect your ability to eat normally?
- Have you noticed any problems with your sense of smell?
-Have you recently changed your toothpaste or mouthwash?
- How long do taste problems last?
- Have you been sick or injured recently?
- What medications do you take?
- What symptoms, besides loss of taste, do you have? For example, loss of appetite or breathing problems?
- When was the last time you visited the dentist?

If your taste problem is related to allergies or sinusitis, your doctor may prescribe medication to relieve nasal congestion. If the medications you take are causing loss or changes in taste, your doctor may recommend changing your dose or switching to a different drug.

A CT scan may be done to examine the sinuses or the part of the brain that controls the sense of smell.

Treatment and prevention

Follow the prescribed therapy, which may include changes or modifications in diet. For taste problems associated with a cold or flu, normal taste should return when the illness passes. For smokers, it is necessary to quit smoking.

Call your doctor if your problems with distorted or loss of taste do not go away, or if abnormal taste occurs with other symptoms.