[Taste disorders]

Gustatory problems have deleterious consequences to systemic health, nutritional status and quality of life. Chemosensory dysfunction is most often secondary to one of only a few causes: viral infection, toxic chemical exposure, head trauma, as well as medication-related and idiopathic conditions. Many gustatory disorders are secondary to a wide variety of diseases. History taking may provide clues to these and other problems. Therapy should not begin until a standardized test has been given that established impairment of the sense of taste. Treatment of underlying diseases may restore chemosensory function. Reference is made to the need for adequate psychic guidance of patients with chemosensorial problems. If restoration of their sense of taste is unlikely, patient should be cautioned to take steps to ensure safety in regard to such dangers and spoiled foods.