<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> <P> Every year, more than 200,000 individuals see their physicians concerning chemosensory problems, and many more taste disturbances are never reported . Due to the large number of persons affected by taste disorders, basic and clinical research are receiving support at different institutions and chemosensory research centers across the country . These taste and smell clinics are focusing their research on better understanding the mechanisms involved in gustatory function and taste disorders such as dysgeusia . For example, the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders is looking into the mechanisms underlying the key receptors on taste cells and applying this knowledge to the future of medications and artificial food products . Meanwhile, the Taste and Smell Clinic at the University of Connecticut Health Center is integrating behavioral, neurophysiological, and genetic studies involving stimulus concentrations and intensities in order to better understand taste function . The purpose of these studies is to unearth the biological mechanisms underlying taste and to use this data to eliminate taste disorders in order to improve the lives of taste disorder sufferers . </P>

Icd 10 code for metallic taste in mouth