Anosmia: symptoms, causes, to treatment options

Definition

What is anosmia?

Anosmia is a smell disorder that occurs when you lose your sense of smell. In other words, your nose can't smell anything. This is usually caused by a nose condition or brain injury, but some people are born without a sense of smell (congenital anosmia).

Apart from detecting odors, your nose also affects your ability to detect danger and taste food. For example, when you smell food or leaky gas.

A person's sense of smell is driven by a certain process. Initially, the molecules released from a substance (such as the scent of flowers) must stimulate special nerve cells (called cells olfactory or smell) found in the upper nose. These nerve cells then send information to the brain, where the characteristic odor is identified.

Anything that interferes with this process, such as a runny nose, stuffy nose, or damage to the nerve cells themselves can cause a loss of smell. Your smell may not be as sharp as usual, or your nose may not smell at all. Loss of sense of smell is what is often referred to as anosmia.

In general, the ability to smell also affects the ability to feel. Without the sense of smell, the taste buds on the tongue can only detect a few tastes. This can affect a person's quality of life.

If you suddenly can't smell or you have lost your sense of smell and you don't know the cause, see your doctor immediately. Your doctor may be able to diagnose the underlying cause and offer treatment to restore your sense of smell.

How common is this condition?

Anosmia is a very common nasal disorder and affects women more than men. Anosmia can occur in patients of any age. This condition can be overcome by reducing the trigger factors.

Signs and Symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of anosmia?

The most obvious sign and symptom of anosmia is the loss of the ability to smell. Some people with anosmia notice a change in the smell of a number of things, for example the common one is not being able to smell one's own body odor.

There may be other symptoms present that have not been mentioned. If you have certain concerns, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

You should contact your doctor if you experience any of the following signs of anosmia:

• Losing your sense of smell due to colds, allergies, or sinus infections usually goes away on its own after a few days. However, if the disease has been cured but you still can't smell the smells, consult your doctor to see if there are other more serious conditions.
• Loss of smell can sometimes be treated, depending on the cause. Your doctor can give you antibiotics to treat bacterial infections or remove anything that's clogging your nasal passages.
• In other cases, you can permanently lose your smell. In particular, after 60 years of age, you are at increased risk of losing your sense of smell.

If you experience the above symptoms or have any questions, consult your doctor. Everyone's body reacts differently. It is always better to discuss what is best for your situation with your doctor.

Cause

What causes anosmia?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, nasal congestion due to colds is a common cause of temporary anosmia. Blockage of the nasal passages caused by nasal polyps or fractures of the nasal bones are also common causes of anosmia.

You also tend to experience a loss of your sense of smell as you get more generalized, especially after the age of 60.

There are a large number of causes that can trigger anosmia. Some of the causes of anosmia are:

• Viral infections that attack the upper respiratory tract, such as influenza
• Prolonged (chronic) sinusitis, with or without nasal polyps
• Nasal disorders, such as a crooked nose or a crooked nose (the wall that divides the nostrils)
• Hay fever (rhinitis) which causes severe inflammation of the nasal passages
• Certain medications, such as antidepressants, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and heart disease drugs, and illegal drugs
• Use of drugs such as cocaine or amphetamine
• Diabetes
• Old age, where the ability of the nose will become weak after passing the age of 60
• Long-term alcohol abuse
• Underactive thyroid
• Cushing's syndrome (high levels of the hormone cortisol in the blood)
• Exposure to substances that burn the inside of the nose
• Head injury
• Brain tumor
• Radiotherapy to the head and neck
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson's disease
• Alzheimer's disease
• Stroke
• Liver or kidney disease
• Vitamin B12 deficiency
• Schizophrenia
• Granulomatosis with polyangiitis, which is a rare disorder of the blood vessels
• Sarcoidosis or a rare disease that causes brain cells to clot
• Congenital anosmia

Diagnosis and Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor for more information.

How is this condition diagnosed?

Your doctor will ask questions about your current symptoms, examine your nose, perform a complete physical exam, and ask questions about your medical history. The doctor can also ask questions about when the problem started, whether all or only some types of odors were affected, and whether you could taste food or not.

He can also perform tests to detect this disease. Depending on your answer, the tests your doctor may ask to diagnose anosmia are:

• Computerized Tomography (CT) scan, which uses X-rays to produce detailed images of the brain
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), which uses radio waves and magnets to look at the brain
• X-ray of the skull
• Nasal endoscopy to view the inside of the nose

What are the treatments for anosmia?

People with congenital anosmia will not be able to smell the smell for the rest of their life. Currently, there is no cure or treatment for congenital anosmia. However, other types of anosmia can be treated once the underlying condition has been treated. Medications that can help you deal with anosmia are:

• Steroid nasal spray
• Antihistamines
• Steroid tablets
• Surgery to remove nasal polyps
• Surgery to straighten the nasal septum
• Surgery to clear the sinuses, called endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS)

You can also use medications that focus on the condition causing the anosmia itself. For example, by taking flu medicines as a way to return your smell when you have the flu.

Home Remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be done to treat anosmia?

Lifestyle changes and home remedies that can help you deal with anosmia are;

• Install fire alarms in all areas of the house, especially in the kitchen and near fireplaces. When you can't smell, this alarm will be a warning to you
• Switch from a natural gas stove to an electric gas stove or consider installing a gas detector
• Clearly mark the expiration date of food and mark leftovers with the date, so you know when to throw them away.
• Read product warning labels carefully, such as bathroom and kitchen cleaners, and insecticides, to watch out for strong chemicals.
• Take healthy steps that will increase your sense of smell as you get older.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.