Loss of taste - causes, treatment and home remedies

If there is a complete loss of taste, this is called in the jargon Ageusie. Of these, taste restrictions are delimited, in which the taste sensation is not completely canceled, but possibly greatly changed. These include the functional Ageusie, in which the taste perception is clearly limited, as well as the partial Ageusie. This is the loss of a flavor (such as "sweet" or "salty").

A disturbed sense of taste often occurs in conjunction with a severe cold or sinus infection. After the infection has healed, the taste is usually fully intact again. If other causes exist, or if the loss of taste persists, a doctor must be consulted.

contents

• So that taste can arise
• Causes of ageusia
• The walk to the doctor
• Special examinations
• treatment
• oral hygiene
• home remedies
• Tips from naturopathy
• General Tips
• Summary

So that taste can arise

If the taste sensation is completely in order, this is called Normogeusie. This requires three regions in the body. These must work together so that a normal sense of taste can arise. In the case of a loss of taste, one of the three regions is disturbed and, in the worst case, this can lead to a total loss, an ageusia.

If the taste sensation is impaired, this can have different causes - from a simple cold to multiple sclerosis. (Image: Paolese / fotolia.com)

The sense organ for the taste

The sensory organ for the taste consists of taste buds, which are to thousands in the area of ​​tongue and palate. This can be divided into five different flavors, such as sour, sweet, salty, bitter and umami. The term umami comes from the Japanese and means something like "delicious" or "tasty" and embodies the taste of salts of the amino acid glutamate, which occurs in proteins.

The cranial nerves

Of the twelve cranial nerves we humans, three are responsible for the taste. These are the cranial nerves VII, IX and X. These nerves relay the information from the taste buds to the brain. If there are any changes here, it may cause a loss of taste.

The brain

In the brain, the collected information converges, is further processed and then perceived as a taste for us. Again, this may be the cause of a loss of taste.

Causes of ageusia

As already mentioned, the causes of loss of taste can be found in all three areas of the body that are important for the taste.

Impairment of taste buds

Taste buds may be temporarily or permanently damaged. Causes include infections or infections (for example, scarlet fever), chemotherapeutic agents, radiation and autoimmune diseases, such as the Sjögren syndrome. Other triggers include vitamin B12 deficiency or iron deficiency, which affects the tongue and oral mucosa. This may cause a taste restriction or a loss of taste.

Alcohol, nicotine and certain medications (for example an antifungal with the active ingredient terbinafine) or mouth rinses (with the active ingredient chlorhexidine) are also among the causes. Other triggers include kidney and liver disease, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction and poor oral hygiene.

Infections in the mouth or throat - such as scarlet fever - are a cause of taste disorders or loss. (Image: Anastasiya / fotolia.com)

Impairment of the three cranial nerves

Cranial nerves can be damaged, which disturbs the information transfer from the taste buds to the brain. This can lead to a loss of taste. Causes of impairment to the brain nerves are surgery, brain tumors, encephalitis (inflammation of the brain), neuritis (nerve inflammation) or, due to a skull base fracture, injuries of the brain stem or cerebrum.

Impairments of the brain

The cranial nerves transmit the taste information to the brain. If there is a disturbance, the taste is disturbed in some way. One possible cause of this is, for example, the presence of Alzheimer's disease, in which brain cells die off. Other causes include severe injury to the skull, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and brain tumors. Even depression can lead to a loss of taste as a concomitant symptom.

The walk to the doctor

With taste disturbances up to the loss of taste the course to the physician is unavoidable. A detailed history is a very important prerequisite for finding out the cause of the loss of taste. Doctor or doctor ask a variety of questions, such as since when and to what extent the taste is impaired, whether the taste loss came suddenly or has increased very slowly.

Furthermore, it is important to know if, in addition to the taste disorders, there are also problems with smelling or other complaints such as dizziness, blurred vision, feelings or headaches. It is also queried which medications are taken, whether smoked and / or regular alcohol is drunk and what diseases already exist. This is followed by a physical examination and laboratory examinations, and often further examinations are ordered by specialist physicians (ENT specialist, radiologist, neurologist).

In some cities special centers for taste disorders exist. These are especially well prepared for those affected. Especially in terms of diagnostics and treatment, these centers are a recommended place to visit.

Special examinations

Special investigations include electrography and the measurement of brain waves. In electrogustometry, taste buds are irritated with some electricity, causing a taste sensation. However, this study is not very safe, because the appeal of the taste buds trigger a subjective perception.

To perform an objective check, the brain waves are measured. Electrodes placed on the scalp register taste stimuli triggered by different flavors. This examination method can be used to determine in which region the disorder is: in the taste buds, in the cranial nerves or in the brain itself.

A special investigation is the measurement of brain waves. This can determine where the cause of the taste disorder lies. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia.com)

In addition to a dentist's examination, methods such as CT (computed tomography), MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), sialography (examination of the salivary glands) and lumbar puncture (in which some nerve water is taken) are also used. It may be necessary to remove tissue from the oral mucosa or tongue.

treatment

First and foremost is to treat the cause or the underlying disease. In the case of causative bacterial infections, a drug from the range of antibiotics is the drug of choice. If certain drugs are "to blame" for the loss of taste, an alternative preparation must be tried.

If the cause is a tumor, it may be removed and / or treated with chemo- and / or radiotherapy. If the thyroid is the culprit, appropriate thyroid medicines are prescribed. If mouth dryness persists, saliva substitutes can help.

oral hygiene

Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to reduced taste. Brushing your teeth, at least twice a day, and cleaning your tongue are part of proper oral hygiene. Morning oil pulling, before brushing, complements the whole. For this, a good, cold-pressed oil, for example sunflower or sesame oil, is used. Of these, a teaspoon or tablespoon full of tongue is pressed between the teeth, "chewed" and distributed throughout the mouth.

The longer the oil stays in the mouth, the better. This procedure is performed before brushing. What is extremely important is the spitting out of the oil. This must not be swallowed, as it binds all the poisons in the mouth. Gargling and rinsing the mouth and throat also ensures a healthy mouth climate. Make sure that the mouthwash is alcohol-free, not too spicy, and preferably as natural as possible, with ingredients such as myrrh, cinnamon, sage, and other herbs.

A regular and properly performed oral and dental cleaning is important for a healthy oral environment. (Image: Markus Mainka / fotolia.com)

It should also be mentioned that smoking and regular drinking of alcohol damages the oral mucosa.

home remedies

Home remedies can help with simple taste disorders, for example in conjunction with infections in the ENT tract.

ginger

Ginger can activate the taste buds and thus stimulate the taste. It is best to regularly chew a slice of raw ginger, ideally before meals. If that's too hot, drink two to three cups of ginger tea a day. (A slice of ginger is cooked in water for a few minutes or more, as desired.)

cayenne pepper

Cayenne pepper helps with a blocked nose and also stimulates saliva production. This in turn is important for the taste. Refine your food with cayenne pepper. If you do not like it, you can use black pepper as an alternative.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar tastes bitter and slightly sour. This stimulates the taste buds, has an antibacterial effect and supports the treatment in case of loss of taste. The best way to dissolve a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with some good honey in a glass of lukewarm water is to drink the mixture in the morning before breakfast. The whole thing can be repeated in the evening again.

rhubarb juice

Rhubarb juice, drunk before eating, improves the taste perception.

Abandonment of sugar

The renunciation of sugar, over several weeks, can improve the taste again.

Tips from naturopathy

Naturopathy can help with minor ailments and also support conventional medical therapy.

Taste disorders are often treated in the naturopathic practice with acupuncture. But the foot reflexology is a suitable form of therapy. From phytotherapy the medicinal herbs chamomile, peppermint and sage are mentioned. Mouthwash containing chamomile and peppermint are also recommended, as is regular rinsing with lukewarm sage tea.

Chamomile, peppermint and sage are especially useful as agents for ageusia in phytotherapy. (Image: Marina Lohrbach / fotolia.com)

Also worth a try

In the case of taste loss after flu, sodium chloratum is often recommended in the field of homeopathy, and pulsatilla after a heavy cold. Those who prefer to use Schuessler salts take number 8 sodium chloratum D 6 and / or number 10 sodium sulfuricum D6.

General Tips

Dryness in the mouth and inadequate saliva production can lead to loss of taste. That's why you should drink enough water, preferably in small sips. Enrich your diet with enough fruit and compote. Both contain a lot of liquid. Water with lemon, chewing chewing gum (if the stomach is alright) and sucking ice cubes also contribute to increased saliva production. Just the smell and the sight of a sliced ​​lemon stimulates the production of saliva.

Summary

In summary, a loss of taste must be taken seriously. In connection with infections in the upper respiratory tract taste impairments occur frequently, but usually pass away by itself. If this is not the case, a medical examination must be carried out here as well.
Supportive to any therapy, but also preventive, the daily, sufficient oral hygiene acts. (Sw)