Chemosensory disorders may result from polyps in the nasal cavities, sinus infections, hormonal disturbances, or dental problems. Loss of smell also can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals, such as insecticides, and by some medicines. Many patients who receive radiation therapy for cancers of the head and neck develop chemosensory disturbances. The sense of smell provides an early warning system that alerts us to fires, poisonous fumes, leaking gas, and spoiled food and beverages. The sense of taste, or gustation, is one of the chemical senses.
Taste plays a crucial role in regulating our ingestion of foods and beverages.
Taste deficits for sweet, sour, bitter, and salty substances present serious problems because they can affect the motivation to consume nutrients. For example, a taste deficit may lead to an unhealthy dietary habit such as excess salt consumption. In addition, abnormalities in chemosensory responses frequently accompany and even signal the existence of unhealthy conditions or diseases, including obesity, hypertension, malnutrition, diabetes, and some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. Leave a message to request publications at other times.