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Experiencing A Nasty Taste. Getting Depressed And Worried. What Is Wrong?
Question: My elderly mother has been experiencing a "nasty" taste with anything she eats. Nothing tastes good to her and that is causing her not to eat at all. No doctors have been able to tell her what's wrong. They are no blaming it on acid reflux. She's getting depressed and I'm getting very worried. Isn't there a specialist that has heard about a condition like this before.
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms that your mother is having can be due to dysgeusia. Dysgeusia is the distortion or decrease of the sense of taste.A very common cause is deficiency of zinc and vit B3.Try giving some multivitamin-multimineral supplements for some days and see if the symptoms persist.
If the symptoms persist then other possibilities have to be probed.These include poor oral hygiene,fungal infections on the tongue or in the mouth area,endocrine disorders like diabetes,hypothyroidism, acid reflux and anxiety attacks.
Try giving citrus juices, lemonade and foods marinated in vinegar. They not only break through the taste, but also help in saliva production that helps in washing away the odd taste. Every time she brushes her teeth, make sure she brushes her tongue also.
If the symptoms persist then consult a physician and get her blood sugar levels and thyroid hormone levels done. Also get a dental check up done.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Thanks for posting your query.
The symptoms that your mother is having can be due to dysgeusia. Dysgeusia is the distortion or decrease of the sense of taste.A very common cause is deficiency of zinc and vit B3.Try giving some multivitamin-multimineral supplements for some days and see if the symptoms persist.
If the symptoms persist then other possibilities have to be probed.These include poor oral hygiene,fungal infections on the tongue or in the mouth area,endocrine disorders like diabetes,hypothyroidism, acid reflux and anxiety attacks.
Try giving citrus juices, lemonade and foods marinated in vinegar. They not only break through the taste, but also help in saliva production that helps in washing away the odd taste. Every time she brushes her teeth, make sure she brushes her tongue also.
If the symptoms persist then consult a physician and get her blood sugar levels and thyroid hormone levels done. Also get a dental check up done.
Hope this answers your query. I will be glad to answer the follow up queries that you have.
Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Rakhi Tayal.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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