Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Bitter Taste In The Mouth?
Question: I have a sour bitter taste in my mouth for 1 week. What could this be? I dont feel reflux or food coming up. I dont have pain or bloating presently. What could be causing this sour taste in my mouth and what test do you recommend? Could this be a cancer symptom?
Brief Answer:
Cancer is extremely UNLIKELY in the current clinical scenario
Detailed Answer:
hi.
thanks for posting query at HCM.
firstly, CANCER is extremely unlikely as per your age and current clinical presentation.
gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a very common cause of sour taste but NOT all patient develop the reflux symptom.
advice to improve your symptom:
1. avoid spicy food, caffeine containing products,oil-rich food and chocolates.
2. elevate your head while sleeping by placing atleast two pillows under your head.
3. avoid eating mouth-full / stomach full
4. add plain yogurt to your meals
5. take proton pump inhibitor (40mg pantoprazole or esomeprazole) once a day before breakfast for atleats two to three weeks.
6. take zinc supplements as deficiency of zinc also causes changes in taste pattern.
( if no improvement after a month, the visit a gastroenterologist and discuss undergoing endoscopic examination)
hope to answer your concern
regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
Cancer is extremely UNLIKELY in the current clinical scenario
Detailed Answer:
hi.
thanks for posting query at HCM.
firstly, CANCER is extremely unlikely as per your age and current clinical presentation.
gastro-esophageal reflux disease is a very common cause of sour taste but NOT all patient develop the reflux symptom.
advice to improve your symptom:
1. avoid spicy food, caffeine containing products,oil-rich food and chocolates.
2. elevate your head while sleeping by placing atleast two pillows under your head.
3. avoid eating mouth-full / stomach full
4. add plain yogurt to your meals
5. take proton pump inhibitor (40mg pantoprazole or esomeprazole) once a day before breakfast for atleats two to three weeks.
6. take zinc supplements as deficiency of zinc also causes changes in taste pattern.
( if no improvement after a month, the visit a gastroenterologist and discuss undergoing endoscopic examination)
hope to answer your concern
regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
I have read that liver or kidney problems can also cause this, is this true? I have slightly elevated liver enzymes but ast/alt 62/68 the rest of my cmp lab is normal. I have high cholesterol levels and a fatty liver.. Is this common sign for liver problems, bitter taste in my mouth.. Just curious in relation to liver. Thank you for the information
Brief Answer:
kindly read detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
hi.
thanks for getting back to me.
1. High AST/ALT values:
Usually ALT or AST values higher than "two times the upper normal limit", is considered abnormal ( in some countries, ALT or AST values of more than 100 are considered abnormal).
Value of AST or ALT greater than "85" or above maybe investigated further.
Alcohol ingestion and obesity are common causes of fatty liver disease.
Fatty Liver disease is reversible in initial stages.
advice for fatty liver:
- abstinence from "Alcohol" or minimum alcohol intake
- LOW fat diet should be followed, AVOID junk food and beverages
- decreased oil consumption (oily food)
- NO red meat
- green vegetables should be ingested daily
- use lemon juice (lemonade) once in a day
- reduce weight if overweight/obese
-"recheck liver enzymes after 6 months and/or ultrasound.
if cholesterol level does NOT decrease after following advise and/or decreasing weight, then thyroid profile should be tested and you may require medication to decrease cholesterol.
2. Liver OR kidney disease may NOT initially affect the taste or appetite. However, if the disease is left untreated or not followed properly, it may lead to complications that may affect the taste pattern and appetite due to loss or ineffective metabolism of nutritional elements/vitamins. as per your current scenario, you need not worry. kindly follow advise in this and previous reply.
hope to answer your concerns.
wish you good and sound health
regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
kindly read detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
hi.
thanks for getting back to me.
1. High AST/ALT values:
Usually ALT or AST values higher than "two times the upper normal limit", is considered abnormal ( in some countries, ALT or AST values of more than 100 are considered abnormal).
Value of AST or ALT greater than "85" or above maybe investigated further.
Alcohol ingestion and obesity are common causes of fatty liver disease.
Fatty Liver disease is reversible in initial stages.
advice for fatty liver:
- abstinence from "Alcohol" or minimum alcohol intake
- LOW fat diet should be followed, AVOID junk food and beverages
- decreased oil consumption (oily food)
- NO red meat
- green vegetables should be ingested daily
- use lemon juice (lemonade) once in a day
- reduce weight if overweight/obese
-"recheck liver enzymes after 6 months and/or ultrasound.
if cholesterol level does NOT decrease after following advise and/or decreasing weight, then thyroid profile should be tested and you may require medication to decrease cholesterol.
2. Liver OR kidney disease may NOT initially affect the taste or appetite. However, if the disease is left untreated or not followed properly, it may lead to complications that may affect the taste pattern and appetite due to loss or ineffective metabolism of nutritional elements/vitamins. as per your current scenario, you need not worry. kindly follow advise in this and previous reply.
hope to answer your concerns.
wish you good and sound health
regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Thank you, one last question. Since i have high cholesterol, my b/p recently elevated, elevated liver enzymes and the fact that i turned 40. Should i get off my BC pill. Ive been on it for many years...
Would this make a differenec?
Would this make a differenec?
Brief Answer:
Stop Taking the BC pill is a wise decision
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Pleasure to answer your concerns.
BC pill has side-effects which vary among the female population using BC pills.
Definitely, if you quit taking the BC pills, it will help you to loose weight as well as control BP. In the long term , it will have substantial positive outcomes.
You may visit treating physician to get advise to stop it immediately.
Hope to answer your questions.
wish you good and sound health.
If no further questions, you may rate the answer and close dialogue box.
Thank you
For future correspondence
direct question link
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnelpage=askDoctorDirectly&docId=71638
Take care
Regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
Stop Taking the BC pill is a wise decision
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Pleasure to answer your concerns.
BC pill has side-effects which vary among the female population using BC pills.
Definitely, if you quit taking the BC pills, it will help you to loose weight as well as control BP. In the long term , it will have substantial positive outcomes.
You may visit treating physician to get advise to stop it immediately.
Hope to answer your questions.
wish you good and sound health.
If no further questions, you may rate the answer and close dialogue box.
Thank you
For future correspondence
direct question link
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnelpage=askDoctorDirectly&docId=71638
Take care
Regards
Dr Tayyab Malik
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
