Taste and Smell Disorders in Clinical Neurology
TASTE AND SMELL DISORDERS IN CLINICAL NEUROLOGY OUTLINE A. Anatomy and Physiology of the Taste and Smell System B. Quantifying Chemosensory Disturbances C. Common Neurological and Medical Disorders causing Primary Smell Impairment with Secondary Loss of Food Flavors a. Post Traumatic Anosmia b. Medications (prescribed & over the counter) c. Alcohol Abuse d. Neurodegenerative Disorders e. Multiple Sclerosis f. Migraine g. Chronic Medical Disorders (liver and kidney disease, thyroid deficiency, Diabetes). D. Common Neurological and Medical Disorders Causing a Primary Taste disorder with usually Normal Olfactory Function. a. Medications (prescribed and over the counter), b. Toxins (smoking and Radiation Treatments) c. Chronic medical Disorders ( Liver and Kidney Disease, Hypothyroidism, GERD, Diabetes,) d. Neurological Disorders( Bell’s Palsy, Stroke, MS,) e. Intubation during an emergency or for general anesthesia. E. Abnormal Smells and Tastes (Dysosmia and Dysgeusia): Diagnosis and Treatment F. Morbidity of Smell and Taste Impairment. G. Treatment of Smell and Taste Impairment (Education, Counseling ,Changes in Food Preparation) H. Role of Smell Testing in the Diagnosis of Neurodegenerative Disorders 1 BACKGROUND Disorders of taste and smell play a very important role in many neurological conditions such as; head trauma, facial and trigeminal nerve impairment, and many neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson Disorders, Lewy Body Disease and Frontal Temporal Dementia. Impaired smell and taste impairs quality of life such as loss of food enjoyment, weight loss or weight gain, decreased appetite and safety concerns such as inability to smell smoke, gas, spoiled food and one’s body odor. Dysosmia and Dysgeusia are very unpleasant disorders that often accompany smell and taste impairments.
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