Loss of taste bothers reader

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a senior citizen and always read your column. My problem is that I’ve lost my taste buds. Nothing I drink or eat has any taste to me. What can I do to get my sense of taste back?

DEAR READER: Some loss of taste (and smell) is common with aging. Other than that, there are several possibilities, including poor dental hygiene, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, a smoking habit, allergies, sinus problems and medications.
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Fall can cause loss of taste

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, a woman asked about her loss of taste and smell, which seemed to occur after a concussion. You thought it was unlikely that it was caused by the concussion and gave some scenarios that can affect taste and smell.

A few years ago, during a visit to my ear-nose-and-throat doctor to clean my ears, I experienced excruciating pain in my ear when he inserted an instrument to remove the wax from my eardrum. The pain subsided after a while, but when I ate dinner, I discovered I had lost my entire sense of taste. I called my ENT and was told that it could not possibly have been from the ear cleaning.
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Did fall cause loss of taste and smell?

DEAR DR. GOTT: As one of your loyal readers who is helped by your daily recommendations, I hope that you will be able to assist me as you have so many others.

About 18 months ago, I tripped on city cobblestones and fell. The accident was serious enough that I had to be taken to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with a concussion and treated for lacerations to my forehead, nose and mouth. Shortly after this incident, I realized that I could no longer smell or taste.

My family doctor told me to be patient, to allow myself time to heal and that these senses would likely return. After nine months with no improvement, I was sent to an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. There, my hearing was tested and I underwent an endoscopic procedure on my nose. I was then prescribed Medrol and Flonase, which I took exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately, they did not help. [Read more...]