Dysgeusia Symptoms, Causes and More

By carolynne

Reviewed: dr. vanta

Article Sources

Article Sources

• 1. 'Taste Disorders: Get Facts About Causes, Treatment & Symptoms.' MedicineNet, MedicineNet, 29 June 2018, www.medicinenet.com/taste/disorders/article.htm
• 2. 'Dysgeusia.' ENT Health, 26 Jan. 2021, www.enthealth.org/conditions/dysgeusia/

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Dysgeusia is a condition that's based on the perception of taste. It's characterized by unusual taste sensations in the mouth and can put people off eating. Individuals commonly experience a range of lingering strange tastes in their mouths, but it can be relatively short-lived. Chronic taste disorders might stem from serious health issues like thyroid problems and diabetes.

The causes range from medication side-effects to underlying medical conditions and oral hygiene issues. Identifying the symptoms early on, talking to a doctor to help you find the underlying problem and getting treatment is important. Some cases require time to resolve, and will need patience.

What Is Dysgeusia?

Dysgeusia is a disorder that distorts the sense of taste. People who have dysgeusia may experience extremes in taste perception combined with an unusual lingering taste in the mouth without having eaten anything. These exaggerated taste sensations might be troubling, but there are treatment options that can help.

Some people with dysgeusia also experience a lack of smell. The types of people with dysgeusia frequently experience phantogeusia, which occurs without a trigger, and parageusia, which has a trigger. Triggers aren't normally disease-related and can include anything from chemotherapy to dental procedures and medications.