Disturbances of smell and taste (R43)
ICD-10 code R43 covers various disturbances of smell and taste, including conditions like anosmia, parosmia, and parageusia. These codes are used to document disorders that affect a person's sense of smell or taste, helping healthcare providers specify the exact type of sensory impairment.
The code R43.0 refers to anosmia, commonly known as loss of smell or disorder of smell, including congenital forms. Codes like R43.1 identify parosmia, where smells are perceived abnormally or unpleasantly, often described as things smelling different or unusual. R43.2 covers parageusia, which involves altered or unpleasant taste sensations and can be called abnormal taste in the mouth or taste sense altered. Other smell and taste disturbances, such as metallic or lingering tastes, fall under R43.8. When the specific nature of the disturbance is not identified, R43.9 is used for unspecified disorders of smell and taste, which can include sensory disorders caused by radiation or other factors. These codes provide precise terminology for documenting sensory issues related to smell and taste in medical records and billing.
Clinical Terms
The following clinical terms provide additional context, helping users better understand the clinical background and common associations for each diagnosis listed in this section. Including related terms alongside ICD-10-CM codes supports coders, billers, and healthcare professionals in improving accuracy, enhancing documentation, and facilitating research or patient education.
Anosmia
Complete or severe loss of the subjective sense of smell. Loss of smell may be caused by many factors such as a cold, allergy, OLFACTORY NERVE DISEASES, viral RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS (e.g., COVID-19), aging and various neurological disorders (e.g., ALZHEIMER DISEASE).
