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Causes for taste loss, male osteoporosis By Howard LeWine, M.D. Q: Ever ything I eat tastes bland. Could my loss of taste be related to one of my blood pressure pills? A: Our ability to fully enjoy food requires stimulation of many nerve endings in the mouth and nose. Taste is the mouth’s ability to identify what is salty, sweet, sour or bitter. There’s also a fifth type of taste called umami, from the Japanese word for delicious. It’s triggered by monosodium glutamate (MSG). But what we commonly refer to as the taste of food is actually its flavor. And flavor is determined more by the food’s aroma, which is more a function of our sense of smell than by pure taste. Some loss of smell and taste almost always happens as we get older. This usually starts after about age 60. But before accepting older age as the cause, it’s worth considering reasons for losing the sense of smell or taste that aren’t related to getting older. Sometimes people lose their sense of smell or taste during and after a viral respiratory tract infection. This is a common symptom of infection with the SARS CoV-1 virus that causes COVID-19. Loss of smell also happens when nasal passages are blocked. This might be caused by:
• Allergies • Secondhand smoke or other irritants • A persistent sinus infection • Polyps in the nose People with high blood pressure seem to be more likely to lose the sense of taste and smell. It’s not clear whether this is related to high blood pressure itself or to the drugs used to treat it. These types of high blood pressure drugs have been reported to cause taste loss: diuretics (water pills) such as hydrochlorothiazide, and ACE inhibitors such as enalapril (Vasotec) and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril). If your taste loss is related to one of your blood pressure pills, it’s probably reversible. But don’t stop taking any of them until you talk with your doctor. He or she might suggest switching to a different class of drugs or taking other steps to regain some taste. For example, if your mouth is dry from diuretics, you might try sipping water between bites. Sometimes, the moisture can help make food more flavorful. Q: I have just been diagnosed with osteoporosis. I am a 57-year-old man. Why would a man get osteoporosis? Are the causes of this disease dif ferent in men than in women?
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A: Men do get osteoporosis, but devel- hormone, for example, is involved in calcioping it at your age is unusual. You and um metabolism in the body. Bone loss can your doctor should investigate to find an occur if there is too much of this hormone. So, levels are often measured to make sure underlying cause. Although osteoporosis is less frequent a person does not have hyperparathyin men than in women, the causes of thin roidism (an overactive parathyroid gland). bones are similar in both groups. Some medications are known to cause Many things can affect the growth and thin bones. The most commonly identified loss of bone during a lifetime: genetic fac- ones include prednisone and other cortitors, diet, physical activity or hormones. costeroid medications, and some mediAnd the risk of developing osteoporosis cines used to treat seizures. Heavy alcohol definitely increases with age. use and smoking can also lead to thin It is not always possible to know why bones. someone gets osteoporosis. However, docVitamin D is necessary for normal bone tors often look for “secondary” causes, growth, so a deficiency of this vitamin can particularly if the bone loss is out of the ex- lead to thinning of bone. pected range for someone of that gender Thin bones can be associated with inand age group. If appropriate, the specific flammatory bowel disease, malabsorption Western High School (Washington cause should be searched for in order to syndromes like celiac disease, andDC, having treat the condition appropriately. NW) closed stomach surgeryin to 1974. treat obesity. its doors The What are the common causes? Hor- Association The development of osteoporosis might Alumni preserves the spirit mone levels are known to affect bone relate to decreased absorption of vitamin of Western but will CEASE TO EXIST in growth and bone loss. In men, both male D or calcium. It also can be due to medicaNovember if used no alumni stepofup to diseases. serve hormones (testosterone) and female (es- tions to treat some these onbone the board. trogenic) hormones play a role in —Howard LeWine, M.D., is an ingrowth and loss. ternist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital nextinmeeting is Sat., Aug. 12 atat HarMen produce less testosterone Our as they Boston and assistant professor age. If your testosterone level is low at age vard Medical School. For additional con1 p.m. If you’re an alum, please join us. 57, a cause other than just getting older sumer health information, see health.harneeds to be considered. For morevard.edu. info or to volunteer, email Other hormones can be involved in the © 2023 Harvard University. DistribAnne Garnier at anneskated@gmail.com. development of osteoporosis. Parathyroid uted by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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