The term “ageusia” refers to the loss of sense of taste. Ageusia may be caused by infections, certain medications, nutritional deficiencies or other factors. Loss of sense of taste is also a possible symptom of COVID-19. In most cases, treating the underlying cause of ageusia can restore your taste.
Ageusia is the loss of sense of taste. This condition makes it difficult to detect tastes like sweet, sour, salty or bitter.
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Loss of sense of taste can affect people of all ages. However, it’s most common in adults over the age of 50.
True ageusia — a complete loss of taste — is rare. Out of 1,000 people, one or two will develop the condition.
Ageusia refers to the total loss of taste. Dysgeusia is a condition that causes an unpleasant perception of taste.
In addition to ageusia and dysgeusia, other taste disorders include hypogeusia (decreased sensitivity to taste) and hypergeusia (increased sensitivity to taste). But ageusia is the only condition that results in a complete loss of taste function.
People with ageusia can’t distinguish any taste in the foods they eat. Additionally, they may experience a number of other symptoms. These may include:
There are several health issues that can lead to a loss of sense of taste, including:
Ageusia can also be linked to:
It depends. Typically, symptoms are ongoing until the underlying condition is treated. People who have ageusia as a symptom of COVID-19 usually recover in one to three weeks. (Note: Most people who develop ageusia as a coronavirus symptom also have anosmia — a loss of sense of smell.)
Taste disorders like ageusia are usually diagnosed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist. They’ll ask questions about your symptoms and review your health history to determine if any existing conditions could be triggering your loss of sense of taste.
Healthcare providers determine the extent of your ageusia by measuring the limits of your taste function. To do this, a healthcare provider may ask you to compare the tastes of several different substances.
Yes. In most cases, treating the underlying condition that led to ageusia helps restore your taste function.
It depends on what caused your loss of sense of taste. If a cold or flu caused ageusia, your taste may return after taking antihistamines or decongestants. Infections can be treated with antibiotics. Your healthcare provider can help determine which course of action to take. Once you’ve recovered from your illness, your sense of taste will likely return.
Sometimes, ageusia can be resolved by improving your lifestyle habits. For example, people who quit smoking can regain their sense of taste in as little as 48 hours. If your ageusia is related to gum disease, ramping up your oral hygiene habits can help restore your taste function quickly.
Because ageusia is a side effect of various conditions, it’s not always preventable. But there are things you can do to lower your risk:
If you’ve been diagnosed with ageusia, your healthcare provider can help you find ways to manage your symptoms until you regain your sense of taste. In the meantime, be sure to eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Many people with ageusia find it difficult to eat, but a healthy diet ensures that you’re obtaining the nutrition you need.
Sometimes, ageusia is an obvious side effect of another health condition. But if you develop a sudden loss of sense of taste, call a healthcare provider immediately. They’ll run tests to determine the root cause and design a personalized treatment plan to improve your symptoms.
Understanding your diagnosis can help you make informed decisions about your health. Some questions you may want to ask your healthcare provider include
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Ageusia is the loss of sense of taste. Losing your sense of taste is inconvenient and can have a negative impact on your quality of life. But it can also point to other, more serious health concerns. It can also prevent you from detecting spoiled food and drinks — or lead to malnutrition and unwanted weight loss. Fortunately, ageusia is usually temporary and goes away once the underlying condition has been treated.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 09/29/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy