What causes impaired taste?
A wide variety of causes exist for impaired taste. Many of the causes involve your respiratory system.
Even if you do not have a diagnosed smell disorder, the temporary interruption of smell you experience during a cold or other respiratory illness can impair your sense of taste. Many common conditions can all affect your ability to taste, such as:
the common cold
flu
sinus infections
throat infections, such as strep throat and pharyngitis
salivary gland infections
Other causes of impaired taste include:
smoking
gum inflammation, such as gingivitis or periodontal disease
medication, including lithium, thyroid medications, and cancer treatments
Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disease that causes dry mouth and dry eyes
head or ear injuries
nutritional deficiencies, especially vitamin B-12 and zinc
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