What is a common cause of dysgeusia?

Dysgeusia, which refers to a distortion of the sense of taste, can arise from various factors, but radiation treatment is particularly well-documented as a common cause. This is especially relevant for patients undergoing radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, where the treatment can damage taste buds and alter saliva production, leading to changes in taste perception.

While medication side effects, vitamin deficiencies, and dehydration can certainly contribute to taste disturbances, radiation treatment directly affects the regions responsible for taste more significantly and can cause more pronounced and persistent changes in taste. Thus, when considering the direct impact on the gustatory system, radiation treatment stands out as a prevalent cause of dysgeusia in relevant patient populations.