If the food you love so much has a strange taste, just like the dessert, drink, or even water you are drinking, it is good to think twice before deducing that there is something wrong with them. The source of the problem is most likely with you! Or, more precisely, with your taste buds.
Many people don’t know, but the sensation of a bad taste when eating is common in people who have sinusitis – that is, with inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, which are the cavities around the nose.
Although the problem does not specifically affect the tongue and throat, its consequences can change the taste of food and drinks. “In addition to nasal congestion, facial pain, headache and thick nasal secretion, which are the most notable characteristics of sinusitis, many patients also report feeling a metallic, bitter, sour or even rotten taste when eating”, confirms Dr. Fabiano Brandão, otorhinolaryngologist at Hospital Paulista – reference in ear, nose and throat health.
The reason, according to the specialist, is due to the accumulation of nasal secretions that run into the throat. “This usually occurs due to mucus infected by bacteria, viruses or fungi draining to the back of the throat. When the paranasal sinuses are inflamed and congested, this secretion can accumulate and not drain properly, resulting in a liquid thick and unpleasant, which gets lodged in the back of the throat.”
This process, according to the doctor, is called post-nasal drip, which is precisely the cause of the change that occurs in our taste. “Postnasal drip can lead to a persistent bad taste in the mouth as infected nasal secretions come into contact with the taste buds on the back of the tongue, altering taste perception. Even after brushing your teeth or using mouthwash , patients report that this bad feeling tends to persist and also tends to get worse throughout the day or after periods of lying down, when post-nasal drip is more noticeable.”
According to the specialist, this unpleasant sensation can occur at any stage of sinusitis and even after treatment. “It depends on several factors, such as the severity of the inflammation of the paranasal sinuses, the presence of complications and, above all, the effectiveness of the treatment. Therefore, it is important to always emphasize that home treatment for sinusitis serves more to alleviate symptoms temporarily. It It is never a substitute for proper medical evaluation, especially if symptoms persist, worsen or in cases of warning signs. Therefore, if you feel a bad taste in your mouth that does not go away, especially accompanied by other symptoms of sinusitis, it is advisable to consult an otorhinolaryngologist. an adequate diagnosis and treatment”, concludes Dr. Fabiano.
About the Paulista Otorhinolaryngology Hospital
Founded in 1974, the Hospital Paulista de Otorhinolaryngology has five decades of tradition in specialized ear, nose and throat care and during its trajectory, it expanded its competence to other segments, with emphasis on Speech Therapy, Respiratory Allergy and Immunology, Sleep Disorders, procedures for Cervico-Facial Surgery, as well as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.
A reference in its segment and with high resolution, it has a complete Center for Diagnostic Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology. It has highly capable professionals offering excellent specialized support conditions 24 hours a day.
