Quiz: Smell & Taste Disorders

There are two things you don’t want to have with you at a fine dining establishment. The first is improper attire (it doesn’t matter how nice your flip flops are, it’s a no-no). The second is chemosensory problems. What does chemosensory mean? It can pertain to how any sense organ responds to stimuli, but in healthcare it is most commonly associated with taste and smell. Why are chemosensory disorders a big deal? Take our quiz to find out:

1. Clustered taste cells in your mouth help you sense four main types of taste: sour, sweet, salty and _____. 

A. Acidic
B. Spicy
C. Bitter
D. Earthy

2. People can sometimes recognize a taste through their sense of smell.

A. True
B. False

3. A taste or smell disorder is caused by _______.

A. An upper respiratory infection
B. A head injury
C. Inherited traits
D. Medicinal side effects
E. All of the above

4. Smell disorders can be diagnosed with “scratch and sniff” tests.

A. True
B. False

5. Chemosensory problems can be early warning signs of _______.

A. Diabetes
B. High blood pressure
C. Parkinson’s disease
D. All of the above

6. Losing your sense of smell or taste can be disappointing and even annoying, but it doesn't pose any physical risks to your health.

A. True
B. False

Answers:

1. C. Bitter. Some studies of basic tastes will also add a fifth type: umami. This is a Japanese term which means “pleasant savory taste,” and is often associated with meats and broths.

2. A. True. For example, if you hold your nose while eating chocolate, you will have trouble knowing it is a chocolate flavor, even though you can sense the food's sweetness or bitterness. The familiar flavor of chocolate is sensed largely by odor. Another well-known example is coffee.

3. E. All of the above. Aging can also affect your ability to taste and smell.

4. A. True. Patients may be asked to scratch pieces of paper, which are treated to release different odors, and then try to identify those odors.

5. D. All of the above.  Losing your sense of smell or taste may point to a more serious illness.

6. B. False. It’s easy to take for granted, but the senses of smell and taste are part of the body’s early warning system against environmental risks. They help alert people to fires, poisonous fumes, leaking gas and spoiled food.

Source: Krames Health Library