2024-04-06 10:16:34
This sensation can be caused by dietary supplements that contain iron, and sometimes it can be a symptom of a sinus infection or an allergic reaction. Here are 9 reasons why you may have a metallic taste in your mouth:
1. Gum infection
Without regular brushing and flossing, bacteria begin to accumulate in the mouth, which can cause gum diseases such as gingivitis and periodontitis.
These diseases cause inflammation of the gums, which can cause a metallic taste in the mouth, said Dr. Natasha Bhuyan.
Other common signs of gum disease are: red and swollen gums, bleeding when brushing or flossing, bad breath, increased gum sensitivity.
What to do: Gum disease usually goes away after professional dental hygiene. True, you still need to brush and floss regularly.
If symptoms persist, visit your dentist to make sure you don’t need more complicated treatment.
2. Certain medications
“Metallic taste in the mouth can often be caused by medication,” said internal medicine physician Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe.
As your body absorbs certain medications, by-products can be released into your saliva, some of which taste like metal.
Common medications that may have a metallic taste include: Captopril for blood pressure, antibiotics such as tetracycline, clarithromycin, and metronidazole, metmorphine for diabetes, lithium for bipolar and other mood disorders, methazolamide for glaucoma, allopurinol for gout, and the new a drug for the treatment of the coronavirus.
What to do: If you develop a metallic taste around the same time you start taking any of the medications, talk to your doctor.
If your medication is causing this problem, your doctor may suggest alternative medications.
However, if you can’t stop taking the drug, you can try these tips to help get rid of the metallic taste: suck on a strong mint, put a piece of ice in your mouth, eat citrus fruits, maple syrup or pickles.
3. Some food supplements
“One of the most common causes of a metallic taste in the mouth is the use of supplements,” explained Dr. Lisa Lewis, pediatrician.
As with prescription medications, your body may release some unabsorbed minerals into your saliva, causing a chemical taste.
According to dr. According to L. Lewis, the following food supplements usually cause a metallic taste in the mouth: iron, chromium, copper, calcium and zinc.
What to do: If the metallic taste bothers you, you can talk to your doctor about alternative supplements that contain lower doses of the listed minerals. If this solution does not work, you can try to mask the metal taste.
4. Sinus infections
“Sinus and upper respiratory infections can cause nasal congestion, which in turn can lead to a metallic taste in the mouth,” said Dr. N. Bhuyan.
This happens for two reasons. First of all, when a person’s nose is blocked, his perception of taste and smell may be impaired, said Dr. N. Bhuyan. Dr. L. Lewis gave another explanation: this sensation can be caused by mucus flowing from the nose to the throat.
“Once this mucus is gone, there’s a good chance that the metallic taste will go with it,” said Dr. L. Lewis.
Some of the most prominent symptoms of respiratory infections are a runny or stuffy nose, headache, sore throat, cough, and a feeling of pressure in the face.
What to do: Sinus and other respiratory infections often go away on their own without treatment. However, if symptoms last longer than 10 days or if your condition suddenly worsens, you should see a doctor who can prescribe the necessary treatment, such as antibiotics.
5. Cancer treatment
A metallic taste in the mouth can also result from some cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. This is a particularly common symptom experienced by head and neck cancer patients.
“Although these treatments target cancer cells, they can sometimes damage healthy cells in the mouth as well, causing a metallic taste,” said Dr. N. Bhuyan.
What to do: During cancer treatment, you can hide the metallic taste by sucking on mints.
“The reassuring thing is that our cells are self-renewing, so they will repair themselves after the cancer treatment is over,” said Dr. N. Bhuyan. So the metallic taste should disappear after the treatment.
6. Pregnancy
According to dr. N. Bhuyan, the metallic taste in the mouth can also be caused by hormonal changes during pregnancy, especially the increase in estrogen levels.
It is the increase in estrogen that causes dysgeusia – changes in the perception of smell and taste. So estrogen can affect your taste receptor cells and cause a metallic taste, Dr. N.Okeke-Igbokwe.
Fun fact – dysgeusia is the reason why pregnant women often crave foods they didn’t like before, or why they can’t eat foods they used to love.
Other commonly felt pregnancy symptoms are late or missed periods, nausea, swollen and tender breasts, increased urination, and fatigue.
What to do: Dr. N. Bhuyan reassures: “Women usually feel the taste of metal only during the first trimester. Fortunately, by the second trimester, this feeling goes away.”
7. Dementia
As explained by Dr. L.Lewis, dementia is caused by: “Degeneration of the brain that affects the nerves of the brain.”
Such nerve damage can change a person’s sense of taste, so he can taste metal, said Dr. L. Lewis.
People with dementia usually experience memory problems, difficulties in communication and concentration, they may have difficulty reasoning and making decisions, they forget the name of a friend or family member, they get lost in a place they know very well.
What to do: Dementia is treated differently depending on the underlying cause of the disease. Dementia is most commonly caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which is incurable but can be slowed with medication.
8. Allergies
“Not all food allergies cause a metallic taste in the mouth, but some, such as allergies to shellfish or nuts, can cause a metallic taste,” asserted Dr. N. Bhuyan.
She testified that a metallic taste in the mouth is usually associated with severe food allergies, which can cause a severe reaction called anaphylaxis.
Some signs of anaphylaxis include hives and itching of the skin, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness, swelling of the tongue, shortness of breath.
What to do: if you have a serious food allergy, always have adrenaline with you, which can stop an anaphylactic reaction, advised Dr. N. Bhuyan.
However, if the symptoms do not go away after the adrenaline injection, or if you can no longer breathe, seek medical help immediately, as these symptoms can be life-threatening.
9. Kidney diseases
The taste of metal in the mouth can also be felt by people with chronic kidney diseases, said Dr. N.Okeke-Igbokwe.
This happens because kidney failure can cause a build-up of urea in your blood, a natural chemical normally found in urine.
According to dr. N. Okeke-Igbokwe, it is the accumulation of urea that determines the metallic taste in the mouth.
Other symptoms of kidney disease include more or less frequent urination, fatigue, dizziness, memory problems, blood in the urine, pain in the lower back, swelling of the eyes, hands or feet.
What to do: The best treatment for kidney disease can be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account what caused the disease.
Specialists may prescribe medication for diabetes or high blood pressure, both of which can lead to kidney disease.
In the case of very severe kidney disease, more complex treatment may be required, such as dialysis or even a kidney transplant.
“If you feel the taste of metal in your mouth, you should not ignore it,” advised Dr. N. Bhuyan. It is recommended to contact your doctor, who will prescribe treatment, if this sensation is caused by a disease.
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2024-04-06 10:16:34