Dear Doctor Column, January 14, 2002

Question:

My coworker has been experiencing a salty taste for two weeks. It persists regardless of activity (eating, sleeping, brushing teeth, etc.). Her dentist doesn't know what the problem is. Please advise if you know of a possible cause.

Answer:

This "phantom taste" is often a mystery to people and their doctors, and from the information you provided, we cannot explain your coworker's symptom. However, if your coworker is not drinking enough fluid every day, she could be dehydrated and, therefore, her saliva might be saltier. This could also be the case if she drinks a lot of caffeinated beverages. Caffeine is a diuretic, and can cause dehydration, as can alcoholic beverages.

The salt content of saliva may also change in response to medications - both prescription and over-the-counter. Postnasal drainage, caused by allergies for example, can cause a change in taste, as can an infection, such as sinusitis.

More unlikely possibilities include nutritional deficiencies, neurological disorders, including migraine, epilepsy and brain tumors, and endocrine disorders. Persistent salty taste is sometimes associated with leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. Again, the likelihood of your friend's taste problem being traced to one of these causes is remote and rarely would a change in taste be the only symptom.

If your coworker continues to experience this symptom or if her symptom appears to worsen or become associated with other symptoms, she should see her primary care doctor who may refer her to an ear, nose, and throat specialist for further examination.