Bitter tastes Assessment Questionnaire

Questions Your Doctor May Ask - and Why!

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques to assess the symptom: Bitter tastes. These will include a physical examination and possibly diagnostic tests. (Note: A physical exam is always done, diagnostic tests may or may not be performed depending on the suspected condition) Your doctor will ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to openly share any pertinent information to help your doctor make an accurate diagnosis.

It is also very important to bring an up-to-date list of all of your all medical conditions, medications including dosages, and names of numbers of any specialist you see.

Create your printable checklist by answering questions that your doctor may ask below:

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How would you explain the taste in the mouth?
Why: is it sour, bitter, foul.
When do you notice the taste the most?
Why: e.g. stooping, bending, laying flat - may suggest gastro-esophageal reflux as cause.
Do any foods or fluids aggravate the bitter taste e.g. caffeine, alcohol, chocolate, fatty meals?
Why: may indicate gastro-esophageal reflux or gastritis as cause.
Past medical history?
Why: of sinusitis , heartburn, hiatus hernia, reflux esophagitis, liver disease.
Do you smoke cigarettes
Why: smoking increases the risk of reflux and sinusitis.
What medication do you take?
Why: Certain medications can aggravate reflux symptoms.
Sexual history?
Why: To establish risk of hepatitis/jaundice.
History of intravenous drug use?
Why: To establish risk of hepatitis/jaundice.
Recent history of tuna, mackerel or skipjack fish consumption?
Why: may indicate scombrotoxic fish poisoning. Such fish contain a high degree of histadine which is converted to histamine by bacteria if the fish is not fresh.
Possible exposure to high lead levels?
Why: e.g. scrap metal workers, smelting workers, children ingesting old lead based paint around the home.
Is there any heartburn (see heartburn)
Is there any waterbrash i.e. excess secretion of saliva into the mouth occurring in some patients with peptic ulcers or esophagitis
Is there any abdominal pain (see abdominal pain)
Is there any nausea or vomiting (see nausea), (see vomiting)
Is there any difficulty with swallowing (see swallowing difficulty)
Is there any hematemesis (see vomiting blood)
Is there any black stool (see black stool)
Have you noticed a yellow colour to your skin (see jaundice)
Sinusitis symptoms?
Why: may be cause of postnasal drip which can cause bad taste in mouth.
Toothache?
Why: may suggest tooth abscess.
Symptoms of Scombrotoxic fish poisoning?
Why: e.g. flushing, burning, itch, headaches, hives, vomiting, difficulty breathing.
Symptoms of lead poisoning?
Why: reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, blue line on the gums, constipation, abdominal cramps.

Conditions listing medical symptoms: Bitter tastes:

The following list of conditions have 'Bitter tastes' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Bitter tastes or choose View All.

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» Next page: Types of Bitter tastes

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