Ageusia

Ageusia (from negative prefix a- and Ancient Greek γεῦσις geûsis 'taste') is the loss of taste functions of the tongue, particularly the inability to detect sweetness, sourness, bitterness, saltiness, and umami (meaning 'pleasant/savory taste'). It is sometimes confused with anosmia – a loss of the sense of smell. Because the tongue can only indicate texture and differentiate between sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami, most of what is perceived as the sense of taste is actually derived from smell. True ageusia is relatively rare compared to hypogeusia – a partial loss of taste – and dysgeusia – a distortion or alteration of taste.[1][2]

Ageusia
Pronunciation
  • /əˈɡjuːziə/ ə-GEW-zee-ə
SpecialtyNeurology

Causes

The main causes of taste disorders are head trauma, infections of upper respiratory tract, exposure to toxic substances, iatrogenic causes, medicines, glossodynia ("burning mouth syndrome (BMS)")[2] and COVID-19.[3]

Head trauma can cause lesions in regions of the central nervous system which are involved in processing taste stimuli, including thalamus, brain stem, and temporal lobes; it can also cause damage to neurological pathways involved in transmission of taste stimuli.

Neurological damage

Tissue damage to the nerves that support the tongue can cause ageusia, especially damage to the chorda tympani nerve and the glossopharyngeal nerve. The chorda tympani nerve passes taste for the front two-thirds of the tongue and the glossopharyngeal nerve passes taste for the back third of the tongue. Neurological disorders such as Bell's palsy, Familial dysautonomia, and Multiple sclerosis cause similar problems to nerve damage, as do certain infectious conditions like primary amoeboid meningoencephalopathy. The lingual nerve (which is a branch of the trigeminal V3 nerve, but carries taste sensation back to the chorda tympani nerve to the geniculate ganglion of the facial nerve) can also be damaged during otologic surgery, causing a feeling of metal taste.

Problems with the endocrine system

Deficiency of vitamin B3 (niacin) and zinc can cause problems with the endocrine system, which may cause taste loss or alteration. Disorders of the endocrine system, such as Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus, can cause similar problems. Ageusia can also be caused by medicinal side-effects from antirheumatic drugs such as penicillamine, antiproliferative drugs such as cisplatin, ACE inhibitors, and other drugs including azelastine, clarithromycin, terbinafine, and zopiclone.

COVID-19
Main article: Symptoms of COVID-19 § Loss of taste and chemesthesis

In April 2020, 88% of a series of over 400 COVID-19 disease patients in Europe were reported to report gustatory dysfunction (86% reported olfactory dysfunction).[4] Research suggests that the loss of taste resulting from COVID-19 might be caused by impairments to the gustatory (and olfactory) system.[5]

Other causes

Local damage and inflammation that interferes with the taste buds or local nervous system, such as that stemming from radiation therapy, glossitis, tobacco use, or the wearing of dentures, can also cause ageusia. Other known causes include loss of taste sensitivity from aging (causing a difficulty detecting salty or bitter taste), anxiety disorder, cancer, kidney failure and liver failure.

Diagnosis

Aguesia is diagnosed by an otolaryngologist, who can evaluate a patient's loss of taste among other things. To do this, a specialist will look into any other factors that could be causing ageusia, such as examining the head, nose, ears, and mouth. An otolaryngologist can also conduct a series of tests to assess the severity of ageusia, which includes identifying specific tastes that the patient can sense or recognize.[6][7]

References
  1. "Taste Disorders". Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
  2. Hummel T, Landis BN, Hüttenbrink KB (2011). "Smell and taste disorders". GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 10: Doc04. doi:10.3205/cto000077. PMC 3341581. PMID 22558054.
  3. Al-Ani RM, Acharya D (August 2020). "Prevalence of Anosmia and Ageusia in Patients with COVID-19 at a Primary Health Center, Doha, Qatar". Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery: 1–7. doi:10.1007/s12070-020-02064-9. PMC 7435125. PMID 32837952.
  4. Lechien JR, Chiesa-Estomba CM, De Siati DR, Horoi M, Le Bon SD, Rodriguez A, et al. (August 2020). "Olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions as a clinical presentation of mild-to-moderate forms of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19): a multicenter European study". European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 277 (8): 2251–2261. doi:10.1007/s00405-020-05965-1. PMC 7134551. PMID 32253535.
  5. Vaira LA, Salzano G, Deiana G, De Riu G (July 2020). "Anosmia and Ageusia: Common Findings in COVID-19 Patients". The Laryngoscope. 130 (7): 1787. doi:10.1002/lary.28692. PMC 7228304. PMID 32237238.
  6. "Ageusia: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment". Netmeds. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  7. "Taste Disorders: Get Facts About Causes, Treatment & Symptoms". MedicineNet. Retrieved 2021-03-26.
  • MedTerms Online Medical Dictionary. "Ageusia". Retrieved April 15, 2005.
  • Family Practice Notebook. "Taste Sensation". Retrieved April 15, 2005.
  • Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. "Taste Disorders". Retrieved May 26, 2010.
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