These comments are made for the purpose of discussion and should NOT be used as recommendations for or against therapies or other treatments. An individual patient is always advised to consult their own physician.
Mouth
Question: I’m a 48 year old male who’s very healthy with one notable exception.
Within the past 30 days I’ve developed a very strange and unpleasant
taste in my mouth that won’t go away. I haven’t changed my diet,
and have had a dentist check for fillings that may be leaking, but was told that
it’s not the cause. It’s virtually constant (24 hours a day) and
goes away only for a moment while I’m eating.
It can be best described as metallic tasting. The smell of my breath hasn’t
changed and my girlfriend says she can’t taste it when she kisses me.
It’s very unpleasant and I don’t know why it’s occurring or how to get rid of it.
Answer: Several possibilities here. First have your physician check your liver enzymes and other
tests to ensure that you haven’t had sub-clinical hepatitis or any liver inflammation.
Occasional people have a diverticuli which is located about the Adams Apple. This is called
a Zenker’s Diverticuli (sack) and can be surgically repaired. They tend to have food collect
here which causes the bad taste and odor.
Some patients have an infection in their stomach caused by Helicobacter Pylori. This can be treated by your physician and is a fairly
common cause of this complaint.
