Impaired taste (ageusia) can refer to the absence of taste. It can also refer to an altered sense, such as a metallic taste in the mouth.

Our sense of smell and taste work together to help us enjoy foods and drinks. When we lose our sense of smell (anosmia) — due to age, a health problem or a medicine especially allopathic — foods can seem tasteless or bland.

How does the sense of smell work?

Molecules in the air activate our sense of smell (olfaction). These molecules enter our nose and mouth. They attach to receptor cells in nasal mucus membranes. The receptors send messages to our brain that tell us when something has a pleasant or foul aroma.

How does the sense of taste work?

Molecules that dissolve in liquids activate our sense of taste (gustation). Tastebuds on our tongue have receptors that respond to substances. We also have receptors on the roof of our mouth and back of our throat. The receptors send messages to our brain that tell us when foods or drinks are sweet, salty, sour, bitter or savory (umami).

What’s the link between taste and smell?

Taste and smell are chemical senses that work together. When we can’t smell foods and drinks, it affects how they taste. These combined senses are how a person tell the difference between water and tea or blueberries and apples etc.

Here’s how these senses work together:

• The act of eating or drinking releases molecules,
• These molecules stimulate receptors in our nose and mouth,
• The receptors send messages to our brain,
• Your brain combines this information to help us recognize and enjoy complex flavors.

What is loss of smell?

Many conditions can affect our olfactory senses (sense of smell). A person may have hyposmia (partial loss of smell) or anosmia (complete loss of smell).

Person’s ability to smell gets weaker after age 50. Nasal membranes become thinner and drier, and nerves don’t work as well.

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What is loss of taste?

It’s uncommon to lose our ability to taste. Most often, a loss of smell makes foods taste bland.

The medical term for a complete inability to taste is ageusia. More people have hypogeusia, which means foods and drinks don’t taste as flavorful as they should (weak).

Taste buds become less sensitive after age 50. Foods may taste bitter even when they’re not. One may have a harder time telling when things are sweet or salty too.

In addition to various health conditions, normal aging can also lead to impaired taste. Some studies estimate that about 53% of older adults have impaired taste.

What causes loss of smell and taste?

Disorders of the nervous system can cause an altered sense of taste. Nervous system disorders affect how our nerves send messages to the rest of our body. The organs that control taste may also be affected by nervous system impairment.

Aging often contributes to a diminished ability to smell and taste. Other causes include:

• Brain injuries.
• Cancer treatments like radiation therapy.
• Head or ear injuries.
• Multiple sclerosis.
• Dry mouth from Sjogren’s syndrome or other conditions.
• Exposure to chemicals.
• throat infections, such as strep throat and pharyngitis.
• Salivary gland infections.
• Bell’s palsy.
• Mild cognitive impairment.
• Gum disease (gingivitis) and other dental problems.
• Medications, such as antibiotics and antidepressants.
• Nasal polyps, sinus infections and sinonasal tumors.
• Neurological disorders like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• Viral respiratory infections, including the cold, flu and influenzas, bird flu etc.
• Smoking.
• Thyroid problems like hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid).

The temporary interruption of smell one experience during a cold or other respiratory illness can impair sense of taste.