HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Feeling Of Bitter Taste In Throat?

default
Posted on Wed, 15 Oct 2014
Question: My mother is about 55 years old. Diabetic (type 2)

Ongoing medications:
Metformin 500mg (extended release) with breakfast and Vildagliptin 50mg with dinner for Diabetes mellitus (Type 2) since about 10 years.
Ramipril 2.5mg for high blood pressure since about 10 years. Since last 2 months blood pressure remain normal without medicine and therefore GP advised to discontinue Ramipril 2.5mg and currently not taking this medicine.
Ranidom (Omeprazole 10mg + Domperidone 15mg)
Livgard (Ayurvedic)

Allergies:
Diclofenac medicine causes severe stomach disorder including bloating.

Current Symptoms:
Since about six months, there is constant bitter taste [similar to like bile taste] felt in throat which is felt more while swallowing food and particularly on left side of throat. It is observed that with certain kind of food (most green vegetables like okra, guards, etc) it is more while with others (like brinjal, milk, etc) it is normal or no bitter taste. Earlier there was no bitter taste with any food.

Also there is little difficulty while swallowing on the left side of throat, feels like whatever is being swallowed is going down by touching whole left side of throat while there is no such feeling on right side of throat.
There is little pain on touching left side of throat.
There is no good hunger.
Most of the time, there is a pain from left ear to throat and it is felt more during coughing.
often there is constipation.

Please give advice for the above symptoms, diagnosis and tests to be performed.

History/ Others:
Migraine is present and sometimes makes severe pain in head.
Eating any fruit like cucumber, melon, guava etc makes bone joints extremely painful, particularly in winter season. Cold seasons make otherwise the joints painful without eating fruits too.
Feels like depressed sometimes.
With minor season change, there is throat infection (inflamed tonsil). Whenever there is a coughing sensation, the urge to cough do not goes away easily or with little coughing, it needs a great effort to eliminate that urge.
About 8-9 years back, there was throat infection similar to Pharyngitis and was gone away using biochemic medicines.
There is a severe itching, burning and pain in left side of throat and difficulty breathing whenever she comes in contact with the smell of aerosol based spray products like perfume, deodorant, insect killer, room freshener etc. However, there is no such symptoms with soft scented incense sticks.
On 30 XXXXXXX 2014, E. Coli infection was diagnosed (urinary trouble was the symptom) and subsequently, Levofloxacin 500mg (1 daily) was continued for 40 days.
On 21 Aug 2014, E. Coli test was found to be still positive and then Amikacin 500mg IV injection was continued (twice daily) for 7 days.
Current E. Coli test (20 Sep 2014) is negative (culture is STERILE for growth of aerobic bacteria after two days of incubation at 37 degree C).
There was severe pain in RIF region for which firstly it was diagnosed as Appendicitis (6.2 mm dia) however during this period Amikacin injection was continued for E. Coli as stated above and 2nd Ultrasound report (05 Sep 2014) suggested no Appendicitis problem, rather a worm was seen within a bowel segment in RIF region. For worm, Noworm (Albendazole 400mg) was continued for 6 days (1 daily at bed time). With this, that pain in RIF is so far not present.
On 14 XXXXXXX 2014, 3mmx3mm calculus was seen in pelvis of left kidney and found light hydronephrosis, which on 05 Sep 2014 was not seen in ultrasound report and both kidneys are normal (no hydronephrosis). The ultrasound report of whole abdomen was normal except worm.
Urine glucose and ketone (strip test) level are Nil. Today’s BP is 119/84.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sumit Bhatti (6 hours later)
Brief Answer:
As below:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thank you for your query.

1. Get a videolaryngoscopy done. The left side of the throat must be checked and compared to the right side for any changes. The post cricoid region should also be evaluated, with an upper GI scopy, if required. The pain in the left ear is likely to be a referred pain (due to common nerve supply).

2. The bitter taste in the mouth may be due to a number of reasons. The most common would be a acid or bile reflux, a post nasal drip (due to sinusitis), food allergy or dehydration. In diabetic patients, fungal sinus infections are common. Get a plain CT PNS (paranasal sinuses) done. If she snores, she may have mouth breathing leading to a dry throat.

3. The possibility of diabetic neuropathy and neuromuscular incoordination always exists. She may require a gut motility enhancing medication in addition. a trial with an anti-allergic medication should be done.

4. The E. Coli infection seems to have been controlled.

5. The 3 mm renal calculus is not significant.

Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them.

Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sumit Bhatti

Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 2685 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Feeling Of Bitter Taste In Throat?

Brief Answer: As below: Detailed Answer: Hi, Thank you for your query. 1. Get a videolaryngoscopy done. The left side of the throat must be checked and compared to the right side for any changes. The post cricoid region should also be evaluated, with an upper GI scopy, if required. The pain in the left ear is likely to be a referred pain (due to common nerve supply). 2. The bitter taste in the mouth may be due to a number of reasons. The most common would be a acid or bile reflux, a post nasal drip (due to sinusitis), food allergy or dehydration. In diabetic patients, fungal sinus infections are common. Get a plain CT PNS (paranasal sinuses) done. If she snores, she may have mouth breathing leading to a dry throat. 3. The possibility of diabetic neuropathy and neuromuscular incoordination always exists. She may require a gut motility enhancing medication in addition. a trial with an anti-allergic medication should be done. 4. The E. Coli infection seems to have been controlled. 5. The 3 mm renal calculus is not significant. Hope I have answered your query. If you have any follow up queries, I will be available to answer them. Regards.