Page 42 - December Banner 2018_Neat

Page 42 December 2018 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com

AS K Reasons We Can Experience Loss

Lo of Taste

by Dr. Thomas K. Lo, Advanced Chiropractic
Dr . & Nutritional Healing Center

As you age, you are likely to find medications or oral health problems. problems with their sense of smell Other Causes
that your sense of taste starts to If you are taking medications and taste as an unfortunate side Other causes of impaired taste
decline. You were born with 10,000 such as certain antibiotics or effect. Older people who have lost may include Sjogren’s syndrome, an
taste buds, but after age fifty, that antihistamines or other medications their larynx or voice box commonly autoimmune disease that causes dry
number gradually starts to decrease. and notice a persistent bad taste in complain of poor ability to smell mouth and dry eyes. Also nutritional
Loss of taste can be permanent your mouth, talk to your doctor. and taste. deficiencies, especially vitamin B-12
or temporary, depending on the You may be able to adjust or change and zinc, can cause impaired taste.
cause. As with diminished vision and your medicine to one that will Exposure to Certain Chemicals
hearing, people gradually lose their not cause a problem with taste. Sometimes, exposure to certain Taste is one of our most robust
ability to taste as they get older, but In many cases, people regain their chemicals, such as insecticides and senses. Taste helps us recognize
it is usually not as noticeable as loss sense of taste when they stop taking solvents, can impair taste. Avoid when food is good or bad for us.
of smell. Medications and illness can medications or when the illness or contact with these substances, and However, even more important,
make the normal loss of taste worse. injury clears up. if you are exposed to them and loss of taste can cause a loss of
Problems with taste can be experience a problem, see your appetite, especially in older adults,
caused by anything that interrupts Upper Respiratory and Middle doctor. which can lead to loss of weight,
the transfer of taste sensations to Ear Infections poor nutrition, weakened immunity,
the brain, or by conditions that Respiratory infections, such as Head Injury and even death. Be sure to see
affect the way the brain interprets the flu, can lead to taste disorders. Previous surgery or trauma to the your doctor if you have had a taste
the sensation of taste. Some people In many cases, people regain their head can impair your sense of taste problem for a while or if you notice
are born with taste disorders, but sense of taste when they stop taking because the taste nerves may be cut, that your problem with taste is
most develop them after an injury medications or when the illness blocked, or physically damaged. associated with other symptoms.
or illness. Some causes of taste or injury clears up. You can help To reduce the risk of injuries to the Let your doctor know if you are
problems are listed below. prevent respiratory infections, such head, everyone should wear a seat taking any medications that might
as the flu, with proper hygiene by belt when riding in a car. People affect your sense of taste. You may
Medications washing your hands frequently, who participate in sports where be able to change or adjust your
Taking medications can especially during the winter months. they may incur a head injury, such medicine to one that will not cause a
affect your ability to taste. Some In addition, if you work and it is as bicycling, should wear protective problem with taste. Your doctor will
antibiotics and antihistamines, feasible, you may want to consider helmets and gear. work with you to get the medicine
as well as other medications, can staying home until you recover. you need while trying to reduce
cause a bad taste in the mouth or Surgeries unwanted side effects.
a loss of taste. One type of taste Radiation for Treatment of Head Some surgeries to the ear, nose, Loss of taste can have a
disorder is characterized by a and Neck Cancers and throat can impair taste. These significant impact on your quality
persistent bad taste in the mouth, People with head and neck include third molar—wisdom of life. Not only can it lead to
such as a bitter or salty taste. This cancers who receive radiation tooth—extraction and middle ear decreased appetite and poor
is called parageusia and it occurs treatment to the nose and mouth surgery. nutrition, but it can also contribute
in older people, usually because of regions commonly experience to depression. Loss of taste can
Poor Oral Hygiene and Dental also lead you to use excess salt or
BOLLINGER HOMES, LLC with taste, and so can dentures sugar on your food to enhance the
Problems
BOLLINGER HOMES, LLC
Gum disease can cause problems
taste, which could be a problem if
you have high blood pressure or
Custom Home Builder & Remodeler and inflammation or infections diabetes.
in the mouth. If you take several
If you are struggling with some
We specialize in... • Additions medications, your mouth may of the symptoms listed above
Custom Homes & • Garages produce less saliva. This causes dry and would like a free evaluation,
mouth, which can make swallowing
call the Advanced Chiropractic
Remodeling and digestion difficult and increase & Nutritional Healing Center at
• Patios dental problems. Practice good oral 240-651-1650. Dr. Lo uses a non-
Bollinger Homes, LLC have been building custom homes, • Decks hygiene, keep up to date with your invasive way to analyze the body to
building additions and remodeling for over 20 years in dental appointments, and tell your determine the underlying causes of
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. • Concrete Walks dentist if you notice any problems ill or non-optimum health. We also
with your sense of taste. offer free seminars that are held at
• Siding & Roofing the office on rotating Tuesdays and
Smoking Thursdays. The office is located

Call for a FREE ESTIMATE! Tobacco smoking is the most at 7310 Grove Road #107 in
concentrated form of pollution to Frederick. Check out the website at
Phone 301.447.6917 which most people are exposed. www.doctorlo.com.
Fax 301.447.2704 Smokers often report an improved
sense of taste after quitting. For *Resource for the article was
free help to quit smoking, visit NIH Senior Health (NIHSH)
1 Creamery Way Smokefree.gov. (nihseniorhealth.gov).
Emmitsburg, MD 21727