Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Bitter Taste In The Mouth?
Question: I have been having a bitter taste in the back of my mouth for awhile and now food is tasting sour what to do?
Brief Answer:
Could be due to bad oral hygiene, medication or due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem could be due to a number of causes. I need to ask you whether you are on some medication or vitamin supplements and those could indicate a possible cause. Bad oral hygiene is another important cause of bitter taste in back of mouth and I would insist you to brush your mouth twice a day and to use mouth wash. Another important and the most likely cause is gastroesophageal reflux. The acid from the stomach could regurgitate back into the food pipe and reach the back of the mouth, thus stimulating the back of tongue which is responsible for the sense of bitter taste.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Could be due to bad oral hygiene, medication or due to GERD
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Your problem could be due to a number of causes. I need to ask you whether you are on some medication or vitamin supplements and those could indicate a possible cause. Bad oral hygiene is another important cause of bitter taste in back of mouth and I would insist you to brush your mouth twice a day and to use mouth wash. Another important and the most likely cause is gastroesophageal reflux. The acid from the stomach could regurgitate back into the food pipe and reach the back of the mouth, thus stimulating the back of tongue which is responsible for the sense of bitter taste.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Take Prilosec (omeprazole) once daily before breakfast.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fiber supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* If I had a patient like you I would perhaps have suggested Prodep (fluoxetine) 20 mg tablet (long term anxiolytic) once daily for at least 2 months (it may take time for the action to set in).
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Stress reduction has a very important role to play. Yoga and meditation should help.
Hopefully that should help.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
