Taste and Smell Disorders

Our senses of taste and smell give us great pleasure. Taste helps us enjoy food and beverages. Smell lets us enjoy the scents and fragrances like roses or coffee. Taste and smell also protect us, letting us know when food has gone bad or when there is a gas leak. They make us want to eat, ensuring we get the nutrition we need.

People with taste disorders may taste things that aren't there, may not be able to tell the difference in tastes or can't taste at all. People with smell disorders may lose their sense of smell, or things may smell different. A smell they once enjoyed may now smell bad to them.

Many illnesses and injuries can cause taste and smell disorders, including colds and head injuries. Some drugs can also affect taste and smell. Most people lose some ability to taste and smell as they get older. Treatment varies, depending on the problem and its cause.

National Institute of Deafness and Other Communication Disorders

External Resources

National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders - Supports and conducts research in, and distributes information on, the disorders of human communication, including hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language.

The Smell and Taste Center - The University of Pennsylvania NIH-supported Center devoted to the study and treatment of smell and taste disorders.

Taste & Smell Disorders Clinic, Texas - Assessment and treatment of taste and smell disorders.

Smell and Taste Disorders - A discussion as to how smell and taste works, the four basic tastes, what causes the disorders, diagnosing and a discussion on whether they can be treated.

Smell and Taste Disorders - The Merck Manual takes an extensive look at discussion on diagnosis and treatment.

The Smell and Taste Disorders Clinic, Syracuse - Health Science Center of the State University of New York in Syracuse. Explanation of smell and taste disorders with treatment options.

Smell and Taste Disorders - Provides an overview about how smell and taste work, the main causes of disorders of these senses, and the diagnoses and treatments of them.

NIDCD Health Information on Smell and Taste Disorders - A basic introduction to smell and taste disorders.

UConn Taste and Smell Center - Our Taste and Smell Clinic uses a multidisciplinary approach to determine the etiology of a patient's taste and smell disorder. University of Connecticut Health Center.

Taste & Smell Disorders Clinic - Assessment and treatment of taste and smell disorders.

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