Our sense of smell contributes to a lot of joy in our lives in ways we may not appreciate until it’s gone. From enjoying the smell of coffee brewing in the morning to taking in the scent of wildflowers when hiking at Elk Knob State Park, these scents make our experiences richer and more fulfilling.
Dealing with anosmia, or loss of smell, can significantly hamper not just our joy in life but can also affect our safety and health in certain cases as well.
Let’s take a look at a few conditions that can cause a loss of smell, as well as potential treatment options.
For Common Conditions That Can Affect Your Sense of Smell
- Viruses. Loss of smell was regularly talked about as a symptom of COVID-19. However, other viruses can cause the same problem, including the flu or the common cold. This is often caused by nasal congestion that occurs when you are ill.
- Allergies. Allergies that cause symptoms like nasal congestion can block or irritate your nose, impeding your sense of smell.
- Sinusitis. Also known as a sinus infection, sinusitis, particularly chronic sinusitis, can leave you constantly congested and affect your ability to smell.
- Nasal obstructions. It’s not just nasal congestion that can block your nasal passages. Obstructions like nasal polyps or a nasal deformity can also weaken or prevent your sense of smell from working.
Other non-sinus-related causes of loss of smell can include taking certain medications, having a vitamin deficiency, neurological conditions and other medical disorders and chemical exposure. Rarely people are born without the ability to smell. This is known as congenital anosmia and, unfortunately, cannot be treated.
How Common Is It to Lose Your Sense of Smell?
It’s not uncommon to experience either a complete loss of smell or a weakened smell (hyposmia). It’s estimated that approximately 3% of Americans have either anosmia or hyposmia. Both anosmia and hyposmia become more common with age.
Treating Anosmia
A loss of smell doesn’t just make aspects of life less enjoyable, but it can potentially be harmful as well. It may lead to poor appetite and malnutrition, especially in elderly patients. Additionally, your sense of smell can alert you to potential danger, such as a gas leak.
Thankfully, in many cases, your sense of smell returns once your cold or other virus goes away. However, in cases where your loss of smell lingers, it’s important to make an appointment with a medical provider.
Potential treatments include:
- Allergy medication
- Antibiotics for a bacterial infection
- Sinus surgery to remove any obstructions
To learn more or to seek treatment for your loss of smell, call Blue Ridge ENT today.