parageusia

   Also known as paragustia. The term parageu-sia comes from the Greek adjective para (beside, near, resembling, accessory to, beyond, apart from, abnormal) and the Latin noun gustum (taste). It refers to the perception of foul or spoiled foods instead of a normal sense of taste. Parageusia is often associated with - and may be confused with - *parosmia. It may also be confused with *dysgeusia, which refers to an alteration or distortion of the sense of taste while one is eating or drinking. Etiologically, parageu-sia is associated primarily with diseases of the upper respiratory tract, viral influenza, general anaesthesia, iatrogenic damage of the chorda tympani, the use of illicit substances such as alcohol, opium, and amphetamines, and the use of therapeutics. The list of therapeutics associated with parageusia includes captopril, acetazo-lamide, allopurinol, lithium, metronidazole, flu-razepam, and at least 70 other substances. In some cases, parageusia may be attributable to central disorders of the gustatory tract. Parageu-sia is classified as a *gustatory illusion (i.e. a taste illusion) or as a * chemosensory disorder.

   References

   Ackerman, B.H., Kasbekar, N. (1997). Disturbances of taste and smell induced by drugs. Pharmacotherapy, 17, 482-496.

   Schiffman, S.S., Gatlin, C.A. (1993). Clinical physiology of taste and smell. Annual Review of Nutrition, 13, 405-436.