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What Causes Temporary And Persistent Bitter Taste In Mouth?
Question: My 57 year old wife has been complaining about a sour or bitter taste in her mouth that she describes like "lemon." She doesn't have any other particular symptoms associated with this situation except it seems to come and go during the day, especially during the last few weeks. I suggested it may associated with "silent GERD/acid reflux" and she does have a small hiatal hernia and/or stress.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Likely from acid.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The lemony or bitter taste is quite characteristic of acid. I see that she takes NSAIDs. Would it be possible for her to use a non NSAId pain controller for her osteoarthritis? Because NSAIDs can cause gastric (stomach) irritation.
She can consider taking Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day for 2 weeks to see if this helps. If it resolves the problem, she can decrease to 1x/day. If it partly relieves the problem, she can continue 2x/day for 6 weeks.
Zantac is an H2 blocker acid reducer. There are also acid reducers in the proton pump inhibitor family, but new studies show that sometimes the proton pump inhibitors can cause a rebound of increased acid on discontinuation.
She should also try other lifestyle techniques for GERD such as avoid mint, alcohol,caffeine, tobacco. And for some people also tomatoes, acidy foods,chocolate, and spicy foods. Consider getting wedges to put under the head section of the bed to decrease acid up the esophagus (these are sold for this purpose at many drug stores). And eat smaller meals at a time as distention of the stomach increases pressure on the lower esophagus, allowing acid to come up. And wait at least 2 hr after eating to lie down.
If this doesn't help, she should see her doctor about the problem.
I hope this helps her. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Likely from acid.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
The lemony or bitter taste is quite characteristic of acid. I see that she takes NSAIDs. Would it be possible for her to use a non NSAId pain controller for her osteoarthritis? Because NSAIDs can cause gastric (stomach) irritation.
She can consider taking Zantac (ranitidine) 150 mg twice a day for 2 weeks to see if this helps. If it resolves the problem, she can decrease to 1x/day. If it partly relieves the problem, she can continue 2x/day for 6 weeks.
Zantac is an H2 blocker acid reducer. There are also acid reducers in the proton pump inhibitor family, but new studies show that sometimes the proton pump inhibitors can cause a rebound of increased acid on discontinuation.
She should also try other lifestyle techniques for GERD such as avoid mint, alcohol,caffeine, tobacco. And for some people also tomatoes, acidy foods,chocolate, and spicy foods. Consider getting wedges to put under the head section of the bed to decrease acid up the esophagus (these are sold for this purpose at many drug stores). And eat smaller meals at a time as distention of the stomach increases pressure on the lower esophagus, allowing acid to come up. And wait at least 2 hr after eating to lie down.
If this doesn't help, she should see her doctor about the problem.
I hope this helps her. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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