Table of contents:
- Could it be that the nose can't smell?
- Why does someone lose the ability to smell?
- Then, what is the effect if someone lives without being able to smell?
Who doesn't love the fragrant scent of jasmine flowers? Instead, you will cover your nose or stay away from anything that smells bad like trash. However, is it possible that the nose can't smell? Come on, find out the answer below.
Could it be that the nose can't smell?
Apart from detecting odors, your nose also affects your ability to detect danger and taste food. For example, when you smell batagor or leaking gas. Without your sense of smell, your quality of life will suffer greatly.
Well, do you know how your sense of smell works? Initially, the molecule released by a substance, such as a flower fragrance, will stimulate special nerve cells in the nose. Then, the nerve cells will send the information to the brain. Furthermore, the brain will translate this information into a specific smell.
Anything that interferes with this olfactory process will cause your smell problems. Your smell may not be as sharp as usual or you may not even be able to smell at all. If you can't smell anything around you, you most likely have anosmia.
Why does someone lose the ability to smell?
Disturbance in the olfactory process is a major cause of anosmia. This condition can occur when you have the following conditions, such as:
- Old age.Just like your eyes, your nose will also decrease its function and become weaker. A person's sense of smell is known to be sharper when he is 30 years old. However, after passing the age of 60 years, the ability of the nose will weaken.
- Nasal congestion.Nasal congestion often occurs when you have a cold, have an allergic recurrence, have a sinus infection, or the air quality in the room is very poor.
- Use of certain drugs.There are several drugs that make the nose unable to smell anything, such as antidepressants, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and heart disease drugs, and illegal drugs.
- Injury.Trauma to the nose that hits the scent nerve or injury to the head can cause anosmia.
- Cancer radiation treatment.Cancer patients who receive radiation to the head or neck may experience olfactory disorders, such as anosmia.
- Certain medical conditions.People with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, malnutrition, or hormonal disorders are prone to anosmia.
Then, what is the effect if someone lives without being able to smell?
Reporting from the Health Line, a cancer patient who took chemotherapy named Larry Lanoutte told how his life was after experiencing anosmia.
Larry felt that all the food that was served tasted equally bland because his nose could not detect the smell of food. This condition also sometimes makes him not eager to eat food.
Apart from the smell of food, he also could not recognize how fragrant the smell of flowers and the air outside the house smelled. He could not tell which food was fresh or which was stale. Worse, sexual life also feels bland because you cannot smell your partner's body odor when making out.
