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What Causes Loss In Sense Of Taste?
Question: i loss my sense of taste six months ago. Acid reflux was thought to be the cause. I have been on prevacid 30mg two times a day for six months but still experience acid reflux and heartburn daily. I have lost 46 pounds since I do not enjoy the food I eat. Have seen an otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist and a neurologist but no one seems to know what is going on. Needless to say, this has caused me to be depressed. Help!!
Brief Answer:
Changes in lifestyles
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
I understand that you have been on antiacids for quite long and it has certainly not helped you. What you now require is a life style change and a course of antidepressants and if required treatment of H.Pylori for increased acidity. Lifestyle changes will require you to start walking and exercising and leading a de-stressed life. Many times it is stated that using an antidepressant like escitalopram in resistant cases of gastritis helps in dealing with it.
Other possibility of the tasteless tongue is B12 deficinecy. It can easily assessed by a serum B12 test and if found deficient should be supplemented.
If everything has been tried and nothing works, then it would be wise to get an MRI scan of the brain as some rare intracranial causes can lead to such a problem. An MRI scan would help in dealing with this problem.
hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Changes in lifestyles
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for choosing health care magic for posting your query.
I have gone through your question in detail and I can understand what you are going through.
I understand that you have been on antiacids for quite long and it has certainly not helped you. What you now require is a life style change and a course of antidepressants and if required treatment of H.Pylori for increased acidity. Lifestyle changes will require you to start walking and exercising and leading a de-stressed life. Many times it is stated that using an antidepressant like escitalopram in resistant cases of gastritis helps in dealing with it.
Other possibility of the tasteless tongue is B12 deficinecy. It can easily assessed by a serum B12 test and if found deficient should be supplemented.
If everything has been tried and nothing works, then it would be wise to get an MRI scan of the brain as some rare intracranial causes can lead to such a problem. An MRI scan would help in dealing with this problem.
hope I am able to answer your concerns.
If you have any further query, I would be glad to help you.
If not, you may close the discussion and if possible you may rate the answer for me, so that I get a good feedback.
In future if you wish to contact me directly, you can use the below mentioned link:
bit.ly/dr-srikanth-reddy
Wish you good health,
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy M.D.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. I had an MRI of the head and throat and it showed no blockages. The test was done in January. Would I benefit from a Ph test? Would going to a medical center be better than going from doctor to doctor to determine the exact nature of my loss of the sense of taste?
Is a blood serum test the same as a regular blood test? Most of my blood work comes back okay but low for zinc and other vitamins.
Is a blood serum test the same as a regular blood test? Most of my blood work comes back okay but low for zinc and other vitamins.
Brief Answer:
Medical centre should be preferred
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Its good that MRI has come normal. Yes the serum or blood work is more or less the same. The zinc and vitamin deficiency should be treated. Especially B12 should be treated.
It would be wise to seek help from a medical center rather than going to individual doctors for such non specific symptoms as the condition may require inter specialist discussion and consultation.
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Medical centre should be preferred
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Its good that MRI has come normal. Yes the serum or blood work is more or less the same. The zinc and vitamin deficiency should be treated. Especially B12 should be treated.
It would be wise to seek help from a medical center rather than going to individual doctors for such non specific symptoms as the condition may require inter specialist discussion and consultation.
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Saw my PCP yesterday and he says to proceed with a probe of my throat scheduled for later this month with the ENT. Acid reflux is worse than ever and he prescribed another acid reducer. He stated that surgery of the esophogus may be something to consider further down the line. I am seeing another gastroenterologist at some point since the last one did not follow up with me after the endoscopy. Going from one appointment to another is wearing me down. When is enough enough? Should I just go to a hospital in the XXXXXXX area. If so, which one?
Brief Answer:
Surgery can be kept as an option
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I understand that the problem is not settling down but do have patience as I have seen patients recover from such long illnesses.
Surgery can be kept as an option. These days surgeries are planned by endoscopic procedures and hence are quite safe and nothing to be worried about. It works good in resistant patients. You may give a try to the new acid reducers been prescribed to you but if it doesnt settle down then surgery is a good option.
I am from XXXXXXX and I may not be knowing of the big hospitals in XXXXXXX However going to the hospital should be preferred for surgical procedures.
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Surgery can be kept as an option
Detailed Answer:
Hello
I understand that the problem is not settling down but do have patience as I have seen patients recover from such long illnesses.
Surgery can be kept as an option. These days surgeries are planned by endoscopic procedures and hence are quite safe and nothing to be worried about. It works good in resistant patients. You may give a try to the new acid reducers been prescribed to you but if it doesnt settle down then surgery is a good option.
I am from XXXXXXX and I may not be knowing of the big hospitals in XXXXXXX However going to the hospital should be preferred for surgical procedures.
Hope this helps
Kind regards
Dr. Srikanth Reddy
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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