Few people realize it, but uncontrolled medical conditions can lead to taste loss. Unfortunately, this loss of taste then causes loss of appetite, poor eating habits, and malnutrition only worsening the situation. Given the importance of eating well when you have a chronic illnesses, this can become a serious problem. If you ever needed one more reason to take better care of yourself – this is it.
So which uncontrolled medications can lead to taste loss? Poorly controlled liver or kidney disease, diabetes, anemia and thyroid top the list.
- It is known that approximately two-thirds of those with liver disease also suffer from loss of taste. Scientists believe this happens because as the liver fails the body accumulates wastes which interfere with the sense of taste. Additionally, some of the medications used to treat liver disease are known to cause a loss of taste.
- Similarly, kidney disease causes an accumulation of wastes and the medications used to treat it can affect taste. Moreover, failing kidneys also affect the level of available zinc in the body. Zinc deficiency is a known cause of taste loss. Kidney disease can also cause people to have the sense of a metallic taste in their mouth, ammonia breath, swelling, fatigue, itchiness, nausea and vomiting, fatigue, changes in urination, shortness of breath, dizziness or difficulty concentrating and feeling colder than normal. As the illness worsens these symptoms become more prevalent.
- Half of all diabetics also have taste loss. This is particularly dangerous because being unable to taste sugar can cause a person to eat too much of it, which of course will only worsen the underlying diabetes. The most likely cause in the case of diabetes is nerve damage.
- Anemia can also cause taste loss. This is a disorder characterized by an abnormally low number of red blood cells. When a vitamin B12 deficiency is the root cause of anemia, it is easily treated with injections and supplements. Some of the signs you may be anemic include: fatigue, lack of energy, being more pale than usual, dizziness, leg cramps, rapid heart rate, headaches and insomnia. If you suspect anemia, a simple blood test will provide the answer.
- Roughly five percent of the population have low thyroid (hypothyroidism) with a greater frequency among women than men. Symptoms of low thyroid include: taste abnormalities, low mood, constipation, muscle and joint pain, thinning hair, fertility problems, fatigue, weight gain, slow heart rate, puffy face, and intolerance of cold. One of the thyroid taste abnormalities that is rare, but very difficult to deal with is called “burning mouth syndrome.” Just as the name implies it is very painful and feels as though the mouth has been scalded. The entire mouth may be affected, including the lips, gums, inside of cheeks and roof of the mouth. This problem is difficult to treat, but some relief can be found from ice chips and very cold water to lessen the pain.
It is important to keep these medical conditions well controlled by taking medications as directed, eating well and seeing your doctor regularly in order to prevent taste loss. In most cases, where the illness is out of control – regaining control will alleviate the taste loss problem. If, however the underlying illness has been left out of control for a very long time, then damage to nerves and the brain will make resolution of taste loss unlikely.
