Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is Ageusia?SymptomsPotential CausesRisk FactorsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is Ageusia?
Symptoms
Potential Causes
Risk Factors
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
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Other Taste DisordersOther types of taste disorders include:Hypogeusia: Less sensitivity to tasteHypergeusia: Increased sensitivity to tasteDysgeusia: Tastes that are distorted and may be unpleasantPhantogeusia: Tasting something that isn’t there
Other Taste Disorders
Other types of taste disorders include:Hypogeusia: Less sensitivity to tasteHypergeusia: Increased sensitivity to tasteDysgeusia: Tastes that are distorted and may be unpleasantPhantogeusia: Tasting something that isn’t there
Other types of taste disorders include:
Symptoms of Ageusia
The main symptom of ageusia is the complete loss of taste in all foods. Ageusia could lead to other problems like:
Potential Causes of Ageusia
Conditions or injuries that impact the health of taste buds can cause changes to taste. This can come from damage directly to taste buds or disruptions in the nerve signals from the taste bud to the brain.
Several diseases or injuries can cause a loss of taste, such as:
Some medications may cause the side effect of losing your taste, including:
Risk Factors for Ageusia
Risk factors for losing your sense of taste may include:
What’s the Connection Between Ageusia and COVID-19?
Changes in the sense of smell are a common symptom of the flu or colds. But a complete loss of taste has been less common and often a side effect of a loss of smell.
However, with COVID-19, researchers estimate that about 39% of people positive for COVID-19 experience a loss of taste.That means approximately every 4 out of 10 people with COVID-19 will experience changes in their sense of taste.
Diagnosis of Ageusia
First, your healthcare provider will ask questions about the taste changes and medical history and complete a physical exam. They may do a few tests like:
The healthcare provider will rule out possible causes of taste loss like medications or loss of smell.
What Treatments Are Available for Ageusia?
The treatments available for ageusia all depend on what caused the loss of taste. In most cases, treating the underlying conditions resolves the loss of taste.
In very rare cases, your sense of taste may not come back. Talk with your healthcare provider about any questions and treatment options.
Tips and How to Prevent Ageusia
Summary
Ageusia is the total loss of your sense of taste. It’s an extremely rare condition and is usually a symptom coming from an underlying cause. Causes of ageusia may include infections, injury, nerve damage, and medications.
Ageusia can lead to loss of appetite and desire for food, weight loss, and nutrient deficiencies. Most of the time, ageusia improves when the underlying condition is treated.
Typically, ageusia is only temporary, and your sense of taste will return. In the meantime, try to keep eating a healthy and nutritious diet.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHow long ageusia lasts varies. Some people’s sense of taste will return within a few days, while other people may go weeks or longer without being able to taste. In very rare cases, ageusia may never go away.Ageusia is the total loss of taste, while dysgeusia is an altered sense of taste.Often, a sense of taste will return on its own without treatment. Still, if you suddenly lose your sense of taste, it’s usually a sign of another condition, so it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long ageusia lasts varies. Some people’s sense of taste will return within a few days, while other people may go weeks or longer without being able to taste. In very rare cases, ageusia may never go away.
Ageusia is the total loss of taste, while dysgeusia is an altered sense of taste.
Often, a sense of taste will return on its own without treatment. Still, if you suddenly lose your sense of taste, it’s usually a sign of another condition, so it’s best to talk with your healthcare provider.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.National Institute on Aging.How smell and taste change as you age.Rathee M, Jain P.Ageusia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, et al.Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Chem Senses. 2022;47:bjac001. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjac001
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.National Institute on Aging.How smell and taste change as you age.Rathee M, Jain P.Ageusia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, et al.Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Chem Senses. 2022;47:bjac001. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjac001
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.National Institute on Aging.How smell and taste change as you age.Rathee M, Jain P.Ageusia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, et al.Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Chem Senses. 2022;47:bjac001. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjac001
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.Taste disorders.
National Institute on Aging.How smell and taste change as you age.
Rathee M, Jain P.Ageusia. In:StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing; 2022.
Hannum ME, Koch RJ, Ramirez VA, et al.Taste loss as a distinct symptom of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Chem Senses. 2022;47:bjac001. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjac001
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