Are you experiencing a metallic taste in your mouth when you cough and are you worried? Here we will try to clarify your doubts.
Taste is a combination of various sensations that tell the brain what something tastes like.
The taste is the result of the action of thousands of taste buds, the smell, the texture and the temperature.
Someone with a stuffy nose may not be able to enjoy their favorite meal. That’s because an important part in creating that flavor is impaired with the information the tongue sends to the brain.
The brain classifies taste into five basic categories: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and salty. It is a common mistake that the taste buds only register certain tastes in certain regions of the tongue.
Why do i Smell Metallic Taste in Cough?
There are many factors involved in taste. Taste disorders can result from a number of different conditions or bodily imbalances.
A metallic taste in cough, or dysgeusia, can occur when the body responds to a foreign substance. It can also be a warning sign of other health problems.
Causes Of Metallic Taste When In Cough
There are several common things that can cause a metallic taste in cough. Some may be more serious than others. However, most can be resolved easily or will disappear on their own.
The metallic taste in someone who is healthy is usually not a cause for alarm.
Here Is A List Of Common Causes Behind Metallic Taste in cough:
Poor Oral Health
Those who don’t brush or floss their teeth regularly may experience a metallic taste in their mouths due to gingivitis, periodontitis, or a tooth infection.
These problems can cause people to bleed after brushing or flossing their teeth. Consequently, it can sometimes result in a metallic taste.
These problems can also cause more serious infections of the teeth and gums.
Conditions such as gingivitis, periodontitis and infection of a dental nature require assistance from a dentist.
Good dental hygiene, regular visits to the dentist for dental cleanings will prevent the onset of these problems.
Surgery to remove wisdom teeth can also cause a metallic taste to appear in your mouth.
Sinus Problems
The senses of smell and taste are so closely linked. A sinus infection can impair the ability to taste and cause a metallic taste .
A stuffy nose is a sign of a sinus problem.
Once the sinusitis has healed, the metallic taste should go away.
These are common problems and usually include:
- Common cold;
- Sinus infection;
- Allergies;
- Nasal polyps;
- Other upper respiratory infections;
- Recent middle ear surgery.
Metallic Taste Caused By Medications
Sometimes prescription drugs can cause an aftertaste as the body absorbs them.
The metallic taste can also arise when the individual feels dry mouth as a side effect of the medication.
Examples of medications that can cause a metallic taste in the mouth:
– Antibiotics;
– Antidepressants;
– Antihypertensives;
– Medicines to treat glaucoma;
– Antifungals;
– steroids;
– Nicotine patches;
– Diuretics;
– Antihistamines;
– Medicines to treat osteoporosis.
Cancer Treatments
Taste changes are a common side effect of cancer therapies. Such treatments as chemotherapy and radiation to the head and neck.
These treatments can damage the taste buds and salivary glands, sometimes resulting in a metallic taste.
This change is temporary and a normal sense of taste should progressively return.
Vitamins
Vitamins with heavy metals such as copper, zinc or chromium can be the cause of a metallic taste. Prenatal vitamins, iron or calcium supplements can also result in the same problem.
The taste should disappear as the body absorbs the vitamins. However, it is best to check the dosage to ensure that the amount is above the recommended maximum.
Pregnancy
Some women report a change in taste and smell early in pregnancy. This happens due to hormonal changes that take place in the body.
Along with a metallic taste, a change in cravings or aversion to certain foods is also common for pregnant women. In this case, the metallic taste tends to fade over time.
Guillain Barré Syndrome
A metallic taste in the mouth can also be a symptom of Guillain-Barré Syndrome.
This is an autoimmune disease that affects the peripheral nervous system.
A 2003 review – stated that this may be due to dysfunction of small nerve fibers.
A COVID-19 infection
COVID-19 can leave a metallic taste in your mouth. A case study published in May 2020 described a person in China whose first symptom of COVID-19 was a loss of taste and smell. The person described food she normally liked as “bland and metallic.” A few days later, she developed a cough, fatigue, shortness of breath and chest tightness before being admitted to intensive care.
Hay Fever
This is usually tied to a specific season or period of the year. A person may suffer from a metallic taste due to inflamed nasal passages and problems with smelling food.
Indigestion
This is a disturbance of the digestive system, sometimes referred to as dyspepsia. The taste should disappear after improving digestion.
Anxiety
Some people with anxiety report having a bad or metallic taste in their mouth. Anxiety stimulates the release of stress hormones in your body, which can affect your sense of taste. It can also lead to dry mouth, which can contribute to a bad taste.
Supplements
Multivitamins containing minerals (such as copper, zinc or chromium) or cold remedies (such as zinc lozenges) can cause a metallic taste. Usually the taste goes away as your body processes the vitamins or drugs. Always check the dosage and make sure you don’t take too much.
You Have A Zinc Deficiency Or An Excess Of Zinc
Dysgeusia can be caused by a deficiency or an excess of zinc. Malnutrition, which can include a zinc deficiency, can slow cell turnover, resulting in taste changes. On the other hand, people who take too much zinc can also suffer from dysgeusia – in the form of that annoying metallic taste.
Pine Nut Syndrome Pine
nut syndrome is a rare reaction to pine nuts that starts 12 to 48 hours after eating them. It causes a bitter metallic taste in cough that can last up to a month.
Dementia
People with dementia often have taste abnormalities, such as the presence of metallic taste.
The taste buds are connected to the brain by nerves. Taste abnormalities can occur when the part of the brain that deals with taste doesn’t work properly.
Exposure To Heavy Metals
If you are exposed to mercury or lead, inhaling high concentrations of these substances can often give you a metallic taste.
Other Allergies
Some allergies cause sinus problems, which can cause a metallic taste in cough. However, there are other allergens that cause a metallic taste. Tree pollen, nuts and shellfish are among these.
Anyone who is not aware of any food allergies, but has eaten or has been exposed to these foods and they have a metallic taste, should inform their physician.
Renal Insufficiency
Kidney failure is one of the most serious causes of metallic taste when coughing. A metallic taste is also quite common in people with diabetes. This condition can also lead to kidney failure.
About 30% of patients with type 1 diabetes and 10 to 40% of patients with type 2 diabetes end up having kidney failure, according to the National Kidney Foundation.
Waste buildup in the kidneys can result in bad breath or loss of appetite. This condition can be causing a metallic taste in cough.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis may involve professionals such as a dentist and an otolaryngologist. Otolaryngology is a medical specialty in diseases of the ear, nose and throat.
Diagnostic steps:
– Dental examination;
– Physical examination of ears, nose and throat;
– Review of the patient’s health history;
– Taste test to diagnose taste disorders.
Remedies For Metallic Taste In Cough
The following home remedies can help relieve the metallic taste:
- Eating citrus fruits or sipping juices, such as orange or lemon juice
- Sucking on a piece of organic lemon candy before a meal
- Avoiding the use of metal utensils and cookware
- Clean the tongue with a tongue scraper
- Drinking herbal tea
- Adjust your diet so that the oral flora can recover
- Have your blood drawn for any deficiencies
- Eating yogurt
- Stay well hydrated
- Brushing teeth and tongue before meals
- Rinse with salt water, baking soda, or antibacterial mouthwash before eating
- Avoid cigarette smoking
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In addition, if the specialist thinks the metallic taste is the result of a problem affecting the nerves in the mouth or head, they may order an X-ray. If it is a sinus problem, other imaging tests may be ordered.
Remedies For Metallic Taste In Cough
The following home remedies can help relieve the metallic taste:
- Eating citrus fruits or sipping juices, such as orange or lemon juice
- Sucking on a piece of organic lemon candy before a meal
- Avoiding the use of metal utensils and cookware
- Clean the tongue with a tongue scraper
- Drinking herbal tea
- Adjust your diet so that the oral flora can recover
- Have your blood drawn for any deficiencies
- Eating yogurt
- Stay well hydrated
- Brushing teeth and tongue before meals
- Rinse with salt water, baking soda, or antibacterial mouthwash before eating
- Avoid cigarette smoking
Why Do I Experience Metallic Taste In Cough: Conclusion
A lingering metallic taste in cough can have many causes, which can be temporary or long-lasting. Many people experience a metallic taste in combination with fatigue and other symptoms.
The cause of these symptoms can be anything from a minor issue like seasonal allergies to potentially serious conditions like kidney failure.
A metallic taste associated with fatigue can have many possible causes. Some of these are relatively mild. In some cases, however, it can be a sign of a serious condition.
If you are experiencing fatigue and a metallic taste when coughing, it is a good idea to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Reader Questions:
In this section, we will be answering the most frequently asked questions on: why you experience metallic taste when coughing.
Metallic Taste In Mouth: What Can It Be And When To See A Doctor?
Taste is the result of the action of the taste buds, which are present in thousands of thousands in our body, but for them to send the correct information about taste to the brain, our organism must be functioning normally. However, in some situations you may end up tasting iron in your mouth.
Someone who has a cold or an active phase of sinusitis, due to a stuffy nose, may not taste the meal, and thus, the papillae send incomplete information to the brain.
The same goes for causing the taste of iron in the mouth, but in this case, many reasons could be involved.
Changes in taste are symptoms that are usually very uncomfortable for everyone, as they affect the taste of food, drinks and even everyday life, causing nausea and general malaise.
One of these changes is the taste of iron in the mouth, however, many people don’t know what it is, what it can be and when to see a doctor.
What Is The Metallic Taste In The Mouth When I Cough?
The change in taste that leaves a metallic taste in the mouth is called dysgeusia, and it can have several causes, from hormonal to emotional. It is usually a passing condition that does not last more than a week, however, it is extremely important to keep an eye on these changes.
What Are The Possible Causes Of Iron Taste In The Mouth?
This symptom can have several causes, among them, the most common are:
- Anxiety (reduction in saliva makes the mouth drier, often causing bad breath and even a metallic taste in the mouth);
- Alcoholic beverage;
- Dengue;
- Reflux;
- Liver problems;
- Hemochromatosis, which is excess iron in the body;
- Infections and viral illnesses such as the flu;
- colds;
- Sinusitis, especially in the acute phase;
- Pregnancy;
- Medications (antibiotics, antifungals, anti-depressants, etc.)
- Gingivitis (bleeding and inflammation of the gums);
- Recently performed dental procedures;
- Diabetes, etc.
However, the cause can only be discovered and treated by a doctor, through laboratory tests, such as a blood test, for example.
When To See A Doctor? What Should I Do To Eliminate This Taste?
If this change in taste is causing difficulties when eating, ingesting liquids, embarrassment (due to possible bad breath) or other discomfort, do not hesitate to seek medical help or a dentist.
To be able to eliminate this change in your taste, it is first necessary to identify the cause, so that the health professional can prescribe the correct treatment.
In some specific cases, such as pregnancy, for example, when some pregnant women report this taste change, the symptom usually disappears naturally during pregnancy (the first months) or after the baby is born.
With all the information passed on about dysgeusia, the taste of iron in the mouth, how to treat it and when to see a doctor, it is easier for the patient to seek qualified help and know that it is rarely a cause for concern.
However, it is up to us, when we receive a medical prescription to take care of our health, to do everything as requested, to obtain the best results.
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Which Of These Remedies To Treat Metallic Taste In Cough Did You Already Know? Do You Prefer Eating Citrus Fruits Or Herbal Tea To Treat Your Cough? Do You Know Other Remedy To Treat Metallic Taste In Cough? Comment Below!
