<P> The effects of drug - related dysgeusia can often be reversed by stopping the patient's regimen of the taste altering medication . In one case, a forty - eight - year - old woman who was suffering from hypertension was being treated with valsartan . Due to this drug's inability to treat her condition, she began taking a regimen of eprosartan, an angiotensin II receptor antagonist . Within three weeks, she began experiencing a metallic taste and a burning sensation in her mouth that ceased when she stopped taking the medication . When she began taking eprosartan on a second occasion, her dysgeusia returned . In a second case, a fifty - nine - year - old man was prescribed amlodipine in order to treat his hypertension . After eight years of taking the drug, he developed a loss of taste sensation and numbness in his tongue . When he ran out of his medication, he decided not to obtain a refill and stopped taking amlodipine . Following this self - removal, he reported experiencing a return of his taste sensation . Once he refilled his prescription and began taking amlodipine a second time, his taste disturbance reoccurred . These two cases suggest that there is an association between these drugs and taste disorders . This link is supported by the "de-challenge" and "re-challenge" that took place in both instances . It appears that drug - induced dysgeusia can be alleviated by reducing the drug's dose or by substituting a second drug from the same class . </P> <P> Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that is made naturally by human cells . It can also be administered in capsules or can be found in foods such as red meat, organ meats, and yeast . Like other antioxidants, it functions by ridding the body of harmful free radicals that can cause damage to tissues and organs . It has an important role in the Krebs cycle as a coenzyme leading to the production of antioxidants, intracellular glutathione, and nerve - growth factors . Animal research has also uncovered the ability of ALA to improve nerve conduction velocity . Because flavors are perceived by differences in electric potential through specific nerves innervating the tongue, idiopathic dysgeusia may be a form of a neuropathy . ALA has proven to be an effective treatment for burning mouth syndrome spurring studies in its potential to treat dysgeusia . In a study of forty - four patients diagnosed with the disorder, one half was treated with the drug for two months while the other half, the control group, was given a placebo for two months followed by a two - month treatment of ALA . The results reported show that 91% of the group initially treated with ALA reported an improvement in their condition compared to only 36% of the control group . After the control group was treated with ALA, 72% reported an improvement . This study suggests that ALA may be a potential treatment for patients and supports that full double blind randomized studies should be performed . </P> <P> In addition to the aforementioned treatments, there are also many management approaches that can alleviate the symptoms of dysgeusia . These include using non-metallic silverware, avoiding metallic or bitter tasting foods, increasing the consumption of foods high in protein, flavoring foods with spices and seasonings, serving foods cold in order to reduce any unpleasant taste or odor, frequently brushing one's teeth and utilizing mouthwash, or using sialogogues such as chewing sugar - free gum or sour - tasting drops that stimulate the productivity of saliva . When taste is impeded, the food experience can be improved through means other than taste, such as texture, aroma, temperature, and color . </P> <P> People who suffer from dysgeusia are also forced to manage the impact that the disorder has on their quality of life . An altered taste has effects on food choice and intake and can lead to weight loss, malnutrition, impaired immunity, and a decline in health . Patients diagnosed with dysgeusia must use caution when adding sugar and salt to food and must be sure not to overcompensate for their lack of taste with excess amounts . Since the elderly are often on multiple medications, they are at risk for taste disturbances increasing the chances of developing depression, loss of appetite, and extreme weight loss . This is cause for an evaluation and management of their dysgeusia . In patients undergoing chemotherapy, taste distortions can often be severe and make compliance with cancer treatment difficult . Other problems that may arise include anorexia and behavioral changes that can be misinterpreted as psychiatric delusions regarding food . Symptoms including paranoia, amnesia, cerebellar malfunction, and lethargy can also manifest when undergoing histidine treatment . This makes it critical that these patients' dysgeusia is either treated or managed in order to improve their quality of life . </P>

Icd 10 code for altered sense of taste