Anosmia is a partial or total loss of the sense of smell . It can be temporary or permanent and is often caused by irritation of the nose. People with anosmia often have a loss of appetite, weight loss, malnutrition, or depression due to the loss of their sense of smell or taste.
Symptoms of loss of smell
The most obvious symptom is the loss of the sense of smell, such as food or flowers. Patients may not be able to smell at all or their sense of smell may change, which may also affect their sense of taste.
Loss of smell is usually a mild and temporary symptom, but it can affect your quality of life. In some cases, it can be dangerous if the smell you don’t perceive is a warning sign of an important situation, such as a gas leak, smoke, or sour milk. Therefore, patients with severe symptoms or chronic problems with smell should see a doctor, especially if they have loss of smell without a cold or allergies and their symptoms do not improve within 1-2 weeks.
Causes of loss of smell
Loss of smell can have many causes, but it’s most often the result of swelling and blockage inside the nose. Sometimes it’s caused by a problem with the transmission of signals from the nerves in the nose to the brain. Some common causes include:
Irritation of the mucous membranes in the nose, often a result of a cold, can cause a person to lose their sense of smell temporarily or partially, but this usually goes away on its own. It can also be caused by a sinus infection, a cold or the flu, allergic or non-allergic rhinitis, and smoking.
Nasal congestion is the result of a blocked or obstructed nasal passage, which can be caused by tumors, polyps, deformities of the nasal bones or the nasal septum.
Brain and nerve damage Patients may experience loss of smell due to damage to the olfactory nerves in the nasal cavity, which affects the transmission of signals through the nerves to the brain. This can be caused by many factors, such as aging, Alzheimer’s disease , Huntington’s Disease, which is caused by genetic abnormalities that cause the nervous system to deteriorate, hormonal disorders, malnutrition, the use of certain medications such as antibiotics or medications for high blood pressure, epilepsy, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, brain tumors, brain surgery, etc.
Other causes may be due to radiation therapy in patients with head and neck cancer, smoking, or drug use such as cocaine.
Diagnosis of anosmia
Loss of smell is a difficult symptom to assess. Initially, the doctor will ask about the latest symptoms and abnormalities in the sense of smell, which is often done by using a camera to examine the nose. The patient may also be measured to allow the patient to compare differences, identify and distinguish odors, or may have the patient taste the food. Other additional tests may also be performed depending on the patient’s risk, as follows:
- Nasal endoscopy to check for polyps or infections that may be affecting your sense of smell.
- X-rays to check for abnormalities in the skull area
- A computerized tomography ( CT) scan looks at details of the brain or areas suspected to be damaged.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to take pictures of the brain to look for abnormalities.
Treatment of loss of smell
Treatment depends on the cause and symptoms of the patient. If the symptoms are caused by a cold, allergies, or sinusitis, the symptoms may go away on their own without treatment. Or, a decongestant may be used to help you breathe more easily. However, if the symptoms do not go away within 2-3 days, the patient should see a doctor.
When seeing a doctor, patients may need different treatments depending on the cause. If the nose can’t smell due to irritation of the mucous membranes in the nose, the doctor will recommend avoiding factors that trigger the allergy, such as stopping smoking or stopping certain medications. In addition, medication may be used to treat the patient’s symptoms, such as antibiotics to treat infections, decongestants, nasal sprays, etc.
In addition, if there is a blockage in the nose, such as nasal polyps or a large tumor, surgery may be required. However, there is currently no cure for those who have congenital loss of smell.
Complications of anosmia
People with anosmia often have a loss of appetite, leading to malnutrition, weight loss, or feelings of depression that may lead to depression. Older patients are also at risk of permanent anosmia due to neurological degeneration. Patients should be careful about things that may be harmful to the body, such as when storing food, the label should be marked with an expiration date. Before using cleaning chemicals or pesticides, read the label instructions for use and be careful when using electrical appliances.
Preventing anosmia
Preventing anosmia can be done in part to reduce the risk of developing colds and bacterial infections that cause anosmia, such as washing your hands regularly, washing your hands after touching things in public, and avoiding close contact with people who have colds or fevers.
