Loss of Taste and Smell in Aging
Overview
Many people notice changes in their sense of taste and smell as they get older. These changes can happen slowly and may make food seem less flavorful or even bland over time. It is normal for taste and smell to fade with age, especially after age 60, but other health issues or medications can also cause a loss of these senses.
Loss of taste and smell might not always be something to worry about, but it can affect appetite, nutrition, and quality of life. Sometimes, the problem is not aging alone, but health conditions like sinus infections, nasal polyps, or allergies that add to the issue.
Understanding Loss of Taste and Smell in Aging
Older adults often notice changes in their sense of taste and smell. These changes can affect appetite, safety, and overall well-being, as both senses play a big role in daily life.
How Taste and Smell Work Together
Taste and smell are connected. Smell helps people identify flavors beyond just sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Taste buds on the tongue detect basics, while the nose picks up more complex scents. When someone eats, food releases molecules that travel up to the nose. This process is called retronasal olfaction. If the sense of smell weakens, foods may taste bland or different.
Many people think they have lost their sense of taste, but it is often the sense of smell that is affected. Injuries to taste buds or nerves that send signals to the brain can make it harder to enjoy food. This combination can make eating less pleasurable or even lead to eating less.
Natural Changes with Age
Age-related changes in taste and smell are common and tend to happen gradually. Taste buds become fewer and less sensitive over time. Nerve degeneration also plays a key role, reducing both taste and smell signals to the brain. The nose’s ability to detect scents also weakens with aging. The number of olfactory receptors decreases, and the lining inside the nose can get thinner and drier.
Other factors, like medications, dental issues, and sinus conditions, can make these losses worse. These sensory declines are not usually reversible, but some causes—like sinus problems—can be treated. Lifestyle changes, medical treatment, or changing medications can sometimes help.
Prevalence in Older Adults
Loss of taste and smell is very common in adults over age 60. Studies report that almost everyone in this age group experiences some decline. Around 25% of people over 65 have a noticeable loss, while almost half of those over 80 have significant problems.
These changes can lead to reduced appetite, weight loss, and even malnutrition. Seniors may need stronger flavors to taste food, meaning they might add more salt or sugar, which brings other health concerns. Recognizing loss of these senses is important because it can impact nutrition and safety. Seniors may not detect spoiled food or gas leaks, which can lead to danger.
Common Causes of Loss of Taste and Smell in Older Adults
Aging often leads to changes in how taste and smell work. Certain health problems and environmental factors can make these changes worse or happen sooner.
Lifestyle and Environmental Risk Factors
Loss of taste and smell often links to a person’s environment or habits. Smoking damages the lining of the nose and taste buds, making senses weaker over time. Poor dental hygiene can also lead to infections in the mouth or gums that affect taste.
Certain medications can lower the ability to taste and smell. Some common drugs include beta blockers, antibiotics, and antihistamines. People who use nasal sprays or decongestants for allergies may also notice changes.
Exposure to strong chemicals or pollutants—such as cleaning products or fumes—can hurt the nose’s ability to process smells. Chronic exposure over years increases the risk more. Long-term dry mouth, which is more common as people get older, can make tasting food harder because saliva helps carry taste molecules to taste buds.
Neurological and Chronic Diseases
Some diseases that affect the nerves or brain can interfere with taste and smell. Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease can cause problems with these senses. These conditions affect the brain’s ability to process smells or flavors.
Viral infections such as the common cold, flu, and especially COVID-19 often cause sudden loss of smell or taste. While most people recover, some older adults may not. Chronic sinus problems, like sinusitis, nasal polyps, or ongoing allergies, can block the flow of air and smells in the nose. This can lead to partial or total loss of smell.
Other long-term conditions, like diabetes and kidney disease, can also contribute. These illnesses may damage nerves or cause buildup of substances in the blood that weaken taste and smell.
When to Consult a Health Care Provider
Older adults should know when to talk to a health care provider about changes in taste or smell. These changes can happen slowly with age, but sudden or severe loss needs attention.
If someone quickly loses their sense of taste or smell, they should contact a health care provider. Quick loss can signal an infection, medication side effect, or other health issues. See a health care provider if you notice:
- Complete loss or major change in smell or taste.
- Loss that appears suddenly instead of over time.
- Trouble eating or drinking because foods taste bad or seem tasteless.
- Weight loss or poor appetite linked to these changes.
- Nasal congestion, sinus issues, or dental problems that do not get better.
A health care provider can help find causes like sinus infections, medication side effects, or dental concerns. Sometimes, loss of smell or taste points to a more serious problem. The provider may suggest tests, review current medications, or do a physical exam to find the cause.
Adults should not wait if the loss is sudden or not improving. If symptoms last several weeks or get worse, seek professional advice. This helps find the right treatment and can improve quality of life.
