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Taste and Smell Disorders
URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/tasteandsmelldisorders.html

Taste and Smell Disorders

On this page

Basics

  • Summary
  • Start Here

Learn More

  • Specifics
  • Genetics

See, Play and Learn

  • Videos and Tutorials

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Journal Articles

Resources

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For You

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Summary

Our senses of taste and smell give us great pleasure. Taste helps us enjoy food and beverages. Smell lets us enjoy the scents and fragrances like roses or coffee. Taste and smell also protect us, letting us know when food has gone bad or when there is a gas leak. They make us want to eat, ensuring we get the nutrition we need.

People with taste disorders may taste things that aren't there, may not be able to tell the difference in tastes, or can't taste at all. People with smell disorders may lose their sense of smell, or things may smell different. A smell they once enjoyed may now smell bad to them.

Many illnesses and injuries can cause taste and smell disorders, including colds and head injuries. Some drugs can also affect taste and smell. Most people lose some ability to taste and smell as they get older. Treatment varies, depending on the problem and its cause.

NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

Start Here

  • Smell Disorders From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) Also in Spanish
  • Taste Disorders From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders) Also in Spanish

Specifics

  • Overview of Smell and Taste Disorders (Merck & Co., Inc.) Also in Spanish
  • Taste Disorders From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) Also in Spanish

Genetics

  • Bosma arhinia microphthalmia syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)
  • Kallmann syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)
  • Refsum disease: MedlinePlus Genetics From the National Institutes of Health (National Library of Medicine)

Videos and Tutorials

  • Smelling Video (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Tasting Video (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Dysgeusia From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Olfaction Disorders From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Taste Disorders From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)
  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Taste Perception From the National Institutes of Health (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

  • Article: Changes in olfactory function and serum interleukin-6 levels in the acute...
  • Article: Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Chinese version of the taste...
  • Article: Subjective distress mediates the association between olfactory dysfunction duration and depression...
  • Taste and Smell Disorders -- see more articles

Reference Desk

  • Glossary From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)

Find an Expert

  • American Rhinologic Society
  • Directory of Organizations From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)
  • Find an ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat Specialist) (American Academy of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery)
  • National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders From the National Institutes of Health

Children

  • What Are Taste Buds? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
  • Your Nose (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Older Adults

  • How Smell and Taste Change as You Age From the National Institutes of Health (National Institute on Aging) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

  • Smell - impaired (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
  • Taste - impaired (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

Topic Image

Taste and Smell Disorders

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

  • Aging changes in the senses
  • Sinus MRI scan
  • Smell - impaired
  • Smelling
  • Taste - impaired
  • Tasting

Related Health Topics

  • Mouth Disorders
  • Nose Injuries and Disorders

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Taste and Smell Disorders is the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

  • How Do We Taste…and Why Does It Go Wrong?

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MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our disclaimer about external links and our quality guidelines.

The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.

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