Background and purpose-Cerebral ischemia is known to elicit the activation of neural

No abstract

Taste disorders can be caused by various factors, including zinc deficiency, adverse drug reactions, cold and stress, and the number of patients seeking medical assistance for such disorders is increasing. However, taste disorders are often difficult to treat, and some medical institutions do not treat them. METHODS: Among outpatients with taste disorders visiting the team's department before December 27, 2005, subjects comprised 21 patients without subjective symptoms for other otolaryngological diseases. RESULTS: In the present study, 4 patients were prescribed zinc by other physicians, but only 2 patients actually displayed zinc deficiency. Zinc administration did not improve symptoms in any patients. Iron deficiency was present in 4 patients. Fungal infection was identified in 10 patients, and miconazole nitrate ointment was prescribed; 17 patients had xerostomia, and 4 of these 17 patients were diagnosed with SS. These 17 patients were instructed to gargle with cevimeline hydrochloride, and taste sensation improved in 12 patients. Although the results of taste tests were normal, more than half of the patients complained that the fifth taste sensation was lost. CONCLUSION: 1. Of the 21 outpatients with taste disorders, 17 patients had xerostomia, and 4 of these 17 patients were diagnosed with SS. 2. Latent xerostomia should be suspected in patients presenting with taste disorder. 3. In taste disorder patients with xerostomia, gargling with cevimeline hydrochloride appears very useful. 4. In patients with zinc deficiency, zinc monotherapy appears ineffective in improving symptoms. 5. Among patients with SS who only had symptoms related to taste disorders, 3 patients had stage 1 SS and 1 patient had stage 2 SS according to the criteria of Rubin and Holt's. SIGNIFICANCE: Taste disorders can be caused by various factors. Because such disorders can often prove difficult to address, the number of patients seeking medical assistance has rapidly increased.