Management of Chemotherapy Induced Dysgeusia: An Important Step Towards Nutritional Rehabilitation

Abstract

Dysgeusia is an alteration in taste and is often associated with ageusia and hypogeusia. It is the most common problem or the side effect noted in almost all cancer patients receiving chemotherapy which severely affects their food intake. So a proper attention should be given to this aspect so as to improve the nutritional needs of these patients. There are also various other factors, which should be considered as risk factors for the development of dysgeusia. The clinician should be aware of all these risk factors and the differential diagnosis so as to be able to diagnose and manage such cases. Although non-pharmacologic management strategies are the one which are routinely recommended, pharmacologic recommendations require more research to alleviate this common side effect.