Overview
Ageusia is an uncommon disorder characterized by a total loss of tongue taste function. It must be distinguished from other taste disorders such as hypogeusia (low sensitivity to all tastants), hyperguesia (high sensitivity to all tastants), dysgeusia (unpleasant perception of a tastant), and phantogeusia (perception of taste that occurs in the absence of a tastant). Ageusia is not a life-threatening illness, although it can be uncomfortable. It can cause lack of appetite, weight loss, and in some circumstances, medicine discontinuance in already challenged individuals; this can result in medical difficulties as well as a significant psychological impact on the patient.