Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Loss Of Taste And Lack Of Appetite?
Question: Looking for advice on who to contact for "loss of taste" -- This has been going on for nearly a year.
Mostly I am hearing "process of elimination -- i.e. meds, foods, etc. Is there a specialist that can help me?
Mostly I am hearing "process of elimination -- i.e. meds, foods, etc. Is there a specialist that can help me?
Brief Answer:
Ageusia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to HealthcareMagic and thanks for putting up the query
Loss of taste can be due to oral cause or neural cause. Please tell me did you get any oral infection or any trauma?
Do you have loss of taste on while tongue or a part of it like only one half?
Any history of smoking or tobacco use?
Any chronic drug use?
Follow up with the required information so that I can suggest you better.
Take care
Thanks and regards
Ageusia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to HealthcareMagic and thanks for putting up the query
Loss of taste can be due to oral cause or neural cause. Please tell me did you get any oral infection or any trauma?
Do you have loss of taste on while tongue or a part of it like only one half?
Any history of smoking or tobacco use?
Any chronic drug use?
Follow up with the required information so that I can suggest you better.
Take care
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Answers:
No oral infections nor trauma.
I was checked by ENT -- checked ok. - he didn't see any problems
I am a non-smoker -- I have never smoked.
In that timeframe the only thing I experienced was a bad cold with usual dripping and symptoms associated with a cold. I don't think it was sinus.
Drug medications are high since I have diabetes, and am taking other meds to keep blood pressure, etc. in line. Also I had steroid shots for back pain for three or four years before having back surgery.
I am not on major pain meds anymore since back surgery.
Recently (last August 4, 2016) I had back surgery (laminectomy) at Hillcrest (Cleveland Clinic). Since I had the taste problem prior to that, I don't think that had anything to do with it -- but I could be wrong.
This "taste bud" issue started last summer sometime way before my surgery.
I have signed up for "functional medicine" (as soon as there is an opening)in about 4 months at the XXXXXXX Clinic.
Perhaps that will help in some way.
Thank you.
No oral infections nor trauma.
I was checked by ENT -- checked ok. - he didn't see any problems
I am a non-smoker -- I have never smoked.
In that timeframe the only thing I experienced was a bad cold with usual dripping and symptoms associated with a cold. I don't think it was sinus.
Drug medications are high since I have diabetes, and am taking other meds to keep blood pressure, etc. in line. Also I had steroid shots for back pain for three or four years before having back surgery.
I am not on major pain meds anymore since back surgery.
Recently (last August 4, 2016) I had back surgery (laminectomy) at Hillcrest (Cleveland Clinic). Since I had the taste problem prior to that, I don't think that had anything to do with it -- but I could be wrong.
This "taste bud" issue started last summer sometime way before my surgery.
I have signed up for "functional medicine" (as soon as there is an opening)in about 4 months at the XXXXXXX Clinic.
Perhaps that will help in some way.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Ageusia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the information
As you said the ENT sees no problem, the cause is probably neurological. A thorough examination by A neurologist should be done to rule out any other disease. Loss of taste can be due to diabetes or can be a side effect of some medicine or a sign of some neurological condition due to which the nerves are not able to carry the taste sensations.
For the time being I would advise you to use hexidine mouthwash and take tablet vitamin c once daily.
Any further questions are always welcome.
Thanks and regards
Ageusia
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for the information
As you said the ENT sees no problem, the cause is probably neurological. A thorough examination by A neurologist should be done to rule out any other disease. Loss of taste can be due to diabetes or can be a side effect of some medicine or a sign of some neurological condition due to which the nerves are not able to carry the taste sensations.
For the time being I would advise you to use hexidine mouthwash and take tablet vitamin c once daily.
Any further questions are always welcome.
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
