Towards an understanding of taste disturbance

This free online event for patients and professionals is for people affected by taste disturbance and those supporting them in a personal or professional capacity. 

Our expert speakers are Consultant ENT Surgeon Professor Carl Philpott, Registered Dietitian Sheri Taylor and Specialist Dietitian Deborah Howland. They will be joined by Fifth Sense volunteer Jo Olliver. 

Carl will talk about the anatomy of taste and explain how smell and taste work together to create flavour. He will talk about some of the common causes of true taste disturbance; and how patients who present with taste disturbance to his Smell and Taste Clinic at the James Paget University Hospital in Great Yarmouth are diagnosed and managed, including current treatment options and self-help ideas for patients. He will also talk about research into the impact of loss of flavour perception and true taste disturbance on those affected, and some potential areas for research development. 

Sheri will draw on the expertise she has gained from working to help people after major trauma, including traumatic brain injury (TBI). She will talk about the importance of good nutrition and hydration to health and recovery by supporting the body's natural repair mechanisms. She will highlight the specific risks to health for those whose enjoyment of food and drink is adversely affected and offer some practical suggestions to them and the health care professionals who support them. 

Deborah will draw on the expertise she has gained from working with patients who are referred to her Taste Clinic at Torbay Hospital Torquay. She will talk about some of the challenges her patients face and share some of the strategies and specific interventions she recommends to help support their food and fluid intake and improve their quality of life. 

Jo will share her personal story of living with taste disturbance for almost two years; how it affects her daily life; and how those around her, including healthcare professionals, have responded to her situation. She will also share some insights and coping strategies that may be helpful to others who are experiencing similar symptoms and to those who are supporting them in a personal or professional capacity. 

Most people are aware that smell and taste are closely linked.  

True taste disturbance, where a person’s ability to taste food is compromised whilst their sense of smell is unaffected, is extremely rare. Many patients who believe they have problems with their sense of taste, in fact have a smell disorder.

Living with taste disturbances or with a compromised ability to detect flavour places people at risk of eating a poorer quality and less varied diet, with obesity and micronutrient deficiency as potential consequences. 

This event is intended to help attendees gain a better understanding of the link between smell, taste and flavour perception and what can be done to support the health, safety and wellbeing of those affected by taste disturbance. 

Patients and members of the public will: 

Learn more about taste and taste perception, taste disturbance and current treatments and research. Gain ideas and tips to help them self-manage taste disturbance.

Health and social care professionals will: 

Learn more about the impact of taste disturbance on people’s lives. Learn more about ways of treating and supporting patients with taste disturbance.

Take Prof Philpott's taste test. 

As part of his presentation, Professor Philpott will offer a demonstration of how smell and taste work together to create flavour, and what we really mean when we talk about taste. If you or anyone attending alongside you would like to take part in this practical exercise, please have some fruit sweets handy. Skittles or Jellybeans work better than soft jelly sweets for this exercise. 

Q&A Session: There will be an opportunity following the presentations to have questions answered by our expert speakers. Please note that Prof. Philpott and Sheri will not be able to give individual medical advice.

A note on timing: As a small UK charity, we need to find times that work for most UK members and volunteers. We welcome people from around the world. If you are outside the UK please check and confirm the start time in your own time zone. 

Joining the event: When you book you will receive your e-ticket by email. To join on the day, simply click the 'Join Event' button. We have scheduled this event to start promptly at 6.00 pm UK time. We will open the Zoom meeting from 5.45 pm. To allow things to run smoothly on the day, we ask that you join the meeting 5-10 minutes early so that you are in the waiting room when we open the event at 6.00 pm. Thank you. 

If you have any questions about the event or difficulties with booking your place, please email us at info@fifthsense.org.uk and we will be happy to help.