Many people feel the taste of bitterness in the mouth, especially in older age, when various chronic diseases are acquired. The main causes of bitterness in the mouth after eating include diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, oral cavity, liver and gall bladder.
In rare cases, a bitter taste is a side effect of various medications or eating any foods, for example, fatty, fried, processed foods. These sensations are temporary and disappear after their cause is eliminated. The constant bitter taste sensation must be taken seriously.
Why does the bitter taste appear?
A bitter taste in the mouth appears due to the reflux of the contents of the duodenum into the stomach or esophagus and oral cavity.
This feeling is troubling not only because of gastrointestinal diseases. The reason may be the presence of an infection in the body, exposure to medications, insufficient oral hygiene, during pregnancy, due to a lack of vitamins, an excess of fried heavy foods, alcohol, and coffee drinks. Gum disease is accompanied by a feeling of taste in the mouth due to the growth of bacterial flora. With dentures and poor oral hygiene, bacteria accumulate, multiply, and a bitter taste appears in the mouth.
When taking chemotherapy drugs, antibiotics, or antihistamines, bitterness in the mouth can be a side effect.
Dysgeusia is a taste disorder in which taste perception is altered. Dysgeusia can occur during pregnancy, in smokers, in older people, and in mental illness.
Causes of bitterness in the mouth
Reasons that cause bitterness in the mouth include:
- poor oral hygiene;
- medications (antibacterial drugs, antidepressants, gout drugs, drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, anti-inflammatory and anticonvulsants, muscle relaxants, migraine drugs, anti-parkinsonian drugs, antihistamines);
- pregnancy (bitterness in the mouth can occur in the first trimester of pregnancy due to hormonal changes);
- multivitamins and dietary supplements containing zinc, copper, iron, chromium;
- bacterial infections of the upper respiratory tract;
- oral candidiasis (thrush);
- burning mouth syndrome (associated with menopause and postmenopause, diabetes, may be accompanied by dry mouth and a bitter taste);
- xerostomia (dry mouth associated with age-related changes, taking medications, smoking, Sjogren's syndrome);
- gastroesophageal reflux disease;
- chronic pancreatitis;
- liver diseases;
- diseases of the biliary system (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholangitis);
- neurological diseases (epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, dementia);
- chemotherapy, radiation therapy.
How to get rid of bitterness in your mouth
Treatment depends on the diagnosis.
If these are diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gallbladder, pancreas, liver), then the doctor prescribes drug therapy and dietary nutrition. Medicines used include choleretic drugs, antibiotics, antispasmodics for pain, prokinetics for synchronous functioning of the gallbladder and ducts, and sedatives. If bitterness in the mouth appears after eating fatty, fried, spicy foods, then it is necessary to adjust the diet and introduce healthy foods into the diet.
If you have GERD, you must follow some recommendations - do not lie down after eating for half an hour, do not bend over after eating, do not wear tight clothes that compress the stomach, sleep with the head of the bed raised.
When should you see a doctor if you have bitterness in your mouth?
If the bitter taste in the mouth persists for a long time or is often bothersome, you should consult your doctor. A specialist will help identify the connection between a symptom and a specific disease and prescribe the necessary diagnostic tests and treatment.
If bitterness in the mouth is caused by poor oral hygiene, you need to reconsider your approach to caring for your teeth, brush them at least 2 times a day (including your tongue) to prevent the formation of plaque, consult a dentist for professional oral hygiene, treatment of caries, gingivitis and other dental diseases. If bitterness in the mouth is associated with acid reflux, follow the treatment regimen prescribed by the gastroenterologist, avoid eating fatty, fried and spicy foods, processed foods, smoking and alcohol, have dinner a few hours before bed, chew food thoroughly, eat a healthy diet, try to reduce weight and avoid stress.
Diet
The diet should include soft, well-chopped food. Gentle cooking methods - steam, bake, boil, stew. Include puree soups and cream soup in your diet. Bread can be consumed dried, yesterday's bread made from first and second grade flour. Meat – chicken, turkey, lean parts of beef, lean fish. Eggs should be in the form of omelettes, steamed in the oven. Food should be warm, not cold or hot. If there is a symptom of bitterness in the mouth, it is necessary to exclude sausages, smoked foods, fatty, fried, canned, and pickled foods from the diet. It is completely necessary to exclude alcohol, spicy foods, coffee, chocolate, carbonated drinks, pork, and some legumes.
Why does a bitter taste appear in the mouth after eating?
Bitterness in the mouth that occurs in the morning may be a consequence of age-related changes in taste buds or a symptom of a disease of the gastrointestinal tract.
What to do if you have a bitter taste in your mouth is the topic of today’s review. From the article you will learn about the main causes and treatment of this manifestation. Causes of bitterness:
- inflammatory diseases of the biliary tract (bitterness occurs in the morning);
- liver diseases (pain in the right side (hypochondrium) and bitterness appear after physical activity);
- stomach diseases (bitterness occurs after eating);
- parasitic infestations;
- pregnancy;
- diseases of the oral cavity;
- taking medications;
- endocrine diseases.
What does bitterness in the mouth mean?
Sometimes the taste in the mouth becomes bright and unusual, for example, bitter. But if nothing bitter was eaten before, where does the taste come from? Let's look at the possible causes of the phenomenon.
Mechanics of taste
Taste receptors, which are mainly located in the mouth, are responsible for the sensation of taste (don’t be surprised, but these same receptors are also present in other organs, even in the intestines and lungs, but in smaller quantities).
The receptors are represented by taste buds located on the tongue, and there is a certain “geography of tastes” on the surface of the tongue: the tip of the tongue recognizes sweet, the side edges at the back - sour, in front - salty, and the root of the tongue - bitter. In order for the papillae to recognize taste, a chemical reaction is necessary - the interaction of the molecule of any substance found in the mouth and the receptor. This information is then transmitted along nerve fibers to the brain.
Bitterly!
Evolutionarily, the bitter taste served as protection for humans from harmful substances, signaling danger - “don’t eat!” Many animal and plant toxins are perceived as bitter and tasteless.
Therefore, the number of receptors that react to bitterness is quite large. The need to recognize poisons has disappeared today, but no one cares about problems with one’s own health. Receptors are still guarding a person’s well-being, but now they tell us about problems “from the inside.”
Gallbladder problems
First place should be given to problems with the gallbladder - cholecystitis, cholelithiasis. Normally, bile produced in the liver does not stagnate for a long time in the bladder, but enters the intestines. With inflammation or the formation of stones, this process is disrupted, bile is released and supplied unevenly, often in large portions.
Read also: Diet for gallstone disease
Stagnation of bile and its inadequate amount in the intestines provoke not only indigestion, but also the reflux of contents into the esophagus. As a result, there is a bitterness in the mouth, as well as pain in the abdomen on the right, especially with errors in nutrition.
Liver diseases
Damage to the liver will also cause a bitter sensation in the mouth. The liver not only participates in the formation and secretion of bile, but also in the neutralization of everything toxic that enters the body. Therefore, here, in addition to the above mechanisms of stagnation and inflammation, internal intoxication is added, which changes the properties of saliva. By the way, hepatitis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease can occur for a long time without significant symptoms, but bitterness in the mouth will appear early.
Gastritis
With this disease, digestion is disrupted, resulting in changes in both the composition of the contents and the speed of its passage. As a result, reflux occurs from the stomach into the esophagus, and then from the intestines, from where bile acids and products released during prolonged stagnation of food come. All this is felt as bitterness, which accompanies typical pain in the pit of the stomach, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, flatulence and a characteristic picture on FGDS.
Reflux disease
Another common cause is gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The main manifestation of this disease is the reflux of contents from the stomach into the esophagus. With GERD, the tightness of digestion in the stomach is disrupted due to weakness of the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach. Throwing is the main manifestation of the disease, which is also characterized by a burning sensation behind the sternum, belching and bitterness in the mouth.
Oral diseases
Diseases such as gingivitis, glossitis and other inflammatory changes in the oral cavity can also cause a bitter taste in the mouth. In this case, harmful bacteria actively multiply, secrete metabolic products and thereby change the internal environment of the oral cavity, which leads to a change not only in taste, but also in smell: along with bitterness, an unpleasant odor from the mouth appears, which is often noticed by others.
Thyroid dysfunction
Thyroid dysfunction may also be accompanied by bitterness in the mouth. This is largely due to hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. An excess of thyroid hormones leads to dysfunction of other hormonal systems, in particular the sympathoadrenal system. In this case, a spasm of the muscles of the internal organs develops and, as a result, the reflux of bile into the upper parts of the digestive tube.
Diseases that cause bitterness
Disorders of the biliary tract and liver function. Bitterness in this case, as a rule, appears in the morning. Symptoms of diseases of the gallbladder and liver are a metallic taste in the mouth, darkish color of urine, yellowness of the skin, white coating on the tongue.
Gastrointestinal diseases. Patients often ask: “could bitterness in the mouth be a symptom of stomach disease?” Undoubtedly. There are several diseases whose characteristic manifestations are bitterness. Gastric dyspepsia, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastritis and ulcers. Additional symptoms in this case will be heartburn, a feeling of heaviness in the stomach, flatulence and nausea.
Oral diseases. Most often we are talking about dental problems. Inflammation of the mucous membrane and soft tissues can cause changes in taste.
Medications. When taking antibacterial, antihypertensive, antidiabetic and hormonal drugs, a bitter taste may occur in the mouth. Read on to learn how to remove bitterness in your mouth after taking antibiotics.
Pregnancy. The cause of bitterness is hormonal changes in the body.
Endocrine diseases. If the thyroid gland and adrenal glands malfunction, a hormonal imbalance may occur, causing spasm of the bile ducts.
Stomach problems
The appearance of bitterness in the mouth also indicates stomach problems. It is often complicated by additional indications: bloating, nausea, heartburn, stomach pain, belching and a yellow-white coating on the tongue.
What to do
- Restore proper functioning of the digestive organs: remove heavy fatty and smoked foods, spices, salty and fried foods from the diet.
- Take medications that normalize the functioning of the stomach and intestines (as prescribed by a doctor).
Attention!
Bitterness in the morning, together with pain in the right side, more often indicates problems with the liver and gall bladder, short-term and after meals - about problems with the duodenum and gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disorders.
Foods that may cause a bitter taste in your mouth
A good place to start is to take stock of what you've recently eaten. Some foods cause a bitter aftertaste:
- Pine nuts;
- Fatty meats;
- Strong coffee or tea;
- St. John's wort decoction;
- Pasta;
- Sea buckthorn oil;
- Alcohol.
Typically, a bitter taste occurs immediately after eating or after several hours. Bitterness in the mouth can also be caused by taking certain medications - antibiotics, antiallergic drugs, blood pressure medications, and others.
What to do
- It is necessary to avoid “bitter” foods or not eat them before bed.
- Diversify the menu with fruits, especially citrus fruits.
- Add buckwheat porridge to the list of dishes.
- If the bitterness is caused by taking pills, it disappears a few days after the end of treatment.
Bitterness in the mouth after eating
04.09.2021
A woman should be ideal, or at least strive for ideal. We are used to hearing this opinion, but this is a wrong opinion, because both men and women should take care of their beauty and health. You won't have a great appearance if you don't have health!
Keeping yourself in shape is not easy, but our body is an assistant that gives signals. One of the unpleasant signals that each of us has encountered is bitterness in the mouth . Such an unpleasant symptom cannot go unnoticed and not bother a person. First you need to find out what causes this symptom.
Why is there bitterness in the mouth?
Bitterness in the mouth occurs if: a person has been on treatment for a long time and, as a result, has used antibiotics. Also, if a course of drug treatment was prescribed that was not suitable for the patient. There is a category of people who experience bitterness in the mouth due to food intake, for example, spicy food, spoiled food.
Bitterness in the mouth can occur constantly if a person has constant stomach . If a person is under stress, such an unpleasant feeling may also occur. Pay attention to your diet. What you eat and how your body reacts to it. What time of day do you eat food? Pine nuts can cause bitterness, as they are choleretic. What kind of nuts you bought is also important. For example, Chinese nuts provoke heartburn and bitterness. In general, be careful with foreign products, as food and drink differ in each country. So if you are going to go on vacation to another country and already have problems with the stomach , intestines , gall and liver, carefully select your diet.
Another reason for the appearance of bitterness in the mouth after eating food is a banquet feast. For example, you were on a diet and then you found yourself at a luxurious banquet; naturally, you couldn’t deny yourself. Large meals, changes in diet, and too fatty foods provoke many diseases. Bitterness in the mouth after eating is a symptom that cannot be ignored, even if your general health does not cause concern. It is necessary to undergo examinations of the gallbladder , liver , and pancreas .
Bitterness in the mouth after eating can occur in pregnant women - such a symptom is considered to be the norm, because a pregnant woman experiences hormonal changes, other physiological changes, and increased acidity may occur.
What else could a bitter taste in the mouth mean?
Do not rush to raise the alarm the first time you feel an unpleasant sensation. This does not always indicate a disease (serious illness), the course of which is difficult to stop, it is just a signal to you. This signal indicates that you need to change your diet. Review the foods you eat most often, reduce the amount of fatty foods, sweets, spicy foods, and drink less carbonated water.
Switch to proper nutrition, add sports and light exercises to your daily routine. Swimming and jogging won't hurt anyone! You shouldn’t punish yourself and go on a strict diet , or even worse, don’t eat at all, but drink water. Women like to use such harsh methods in practice.
How to get rid of bitterness in your mouth? Folk remedies
If you cannot visit a doctor , and the bitterness in your mouth bothers you and you are afraid for your health, conduct an experiment: add beets to the salad, you can boil a piece of beets and eat it with plain water. Then pay attention to the color of your urine ; if it has a red tint, it means you have serious problems, don’t hesitate! your doctor immediately .
Bitterness in the mouth is treated with horseradish and honey. Horseradish is grated and milk is added, then this mixture must be infused and this medicine must be taken several times a day in small portions (about one sip). You can cleanse your body: drink plenty of water, at least two liters of water.
You can drink decoctions, for example, decoction of rose hips, viburnum, mint, currants. It is useful to consume natural juices, make them yourself: carrot, strawberry, cherry, pumpkin, tomato juices. If the cause of bitterness in the mouth is stress, it is necessary to overcome the stressful state and remove external irritants.
You can drink sedative herbs, medications, even work with specialists - psychologists. When stress goes away, your health problem goes away. Take care of your health, this is your beauty. Don’t put off obvious problems until later and be healthy!
Published in Gastroentorology Premium Clinic
