Decrease in or loss of taste

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Decrease in or loss of taste is common in older adults. It is part of the normal aging process and may be caused by:

A decrease in the number of taste buds.
Changes in the way the nervous system processes the sensation of taste. This may cause a decline in the awareness of taste.
A decrease in the amount of saliva or an increase in the stickiness of saliva.
Changes in the tongue, making it harder for flavors to reach the taste buds.

Other factors that may cause a decrease or loss of taste include:

Loss of smell. Much of what is thought of as taste is actually smell.
Minor infections, such as a cold or flu.
Smoking or using smokeless (spit) tobacco.
Side effects of medication, surgery, or radiation therapy.
Nutritional deficiencies of zinc or vitamin B12.
Diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Bell's palsy, hepatitis, Sjögren's syndrome, and oral cancer.

Credits

Author	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Editor	Alison Allen
Editor	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
Last Updated	December 1, 2006

Last updated:	December 01, 2006
Author:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Steven K. Patterson, BSc, DDS, MPH - Dentist
Editors:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC, Tracy Landauer

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