Dysgeusia is a medical disorder that causes an abnormal taste in the mouth. While any individual may have a strange taste in her mouth from time to time, this condition causes a taste change that is both persistent and unpleasant. Those with the disorder often describe the taste change as metallic or foul. Some people describe it as salty, rancid, or just plain bad.

Most people are well aware that their taste buds allow them to taste food. However, it is the cells in the taste buds that are responsible for collecting information about taste and sending it on to the brain. Interestingly, the majority of human perception of taste and flavor results from smell-related nerve cells, and people with dysgeusia sometimes note changes in smell as well. Taste cells are responsible for identifying whether food tastes sour or sweet or is salty or bitter, but flavor perception subtleties are often influenced by the sense of smell.

In most cases, the symptoms of dysgeusia last only temporarily. Illnesses like colds, influenza, and sinus infections are fairly common, but temporary, causes of the condition. Smoking, dry mouth, dental conditions, nutritional deficiencies, damaged taste buds, migraine headaches, and certain medications may cause it as well. Pregnancy is another common cause of dysgeusia, as hormonal changes may lead to the disorder; in pregnancy, the condition often causes a sour or metallic taste. Additionally, people with brain tumors, depression, and head injuries may also suffer from this taste disorder.

To diagnose dysgeusia, doctors typically perform an examination and request the medical history of the patient. They also ask questions about the patient’s symptoms, including how long they’ve been noticeable, the type of taste change the patient has noticed, and details of any conditions or possible causes the patient may note. In some cases, doctors may recommend testing of the taste and smell senses. This may include tasting chemicals intended to produce certain tastes. Doctors may also ask patients to scratch and sniff special cards in order to test the sense of smell.

Treatment depends on the cause of the disorder. For example, if a person has a cold or flu, she may simply wait for her sense of taste to return to normal following the illness. Otherwise, doctors may choose to treat the underlying condition causing the change in taste. If smoking is at fault, quitting may help. In some cases, a person’s nerve cells may have been damaged beyond repair; if that occurs, the condition is not treatable.