The complete loss of smell is called Anosmia
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| Anosmia |
Hundreds of thousands of Americans visit the doctor each
year due to taste and smell issues. Anosmia is, fortunately, a transitory
annoyance produced by a severely congested nose induced by a cold for the
majority of individuals. A person's sense of smell returns once the cold has
passed. It's also possible that it's a sign of COVID-19.
However, certain people, particularly the elderly, may
continue to lose their sense of smell. Anosmia
can sometimes be a symptom of a more serious medical problem. A doctor should
be seen if you have persistent odour concerns.
Certain systems control a person's sense of smell. To begin,
a chemical produced from a material (such as a flower's aroma) must excite
particular nerve cells situated high up in the nose called olfactory cells. The
information from these nerve cells is subsequently sent to the brain, where the
precise smell is determined. Loss of smell can be caused by anything that
interferes with these processes, such as nasal congestion, nasal obstruction,
or nerve cell injury.
Our capacity to smell has an impact on our ability to taste
as well. Our taste buds can only perceive a few flavours if we lose our sense
of smell, which can have a negative impact on our quality of life.
Anosmia Diagnosis
Tell your doctor if you lose your sense of smell for reasons
other than a cold or allergy, and it doesn't improve after a week or two. A
special equipment can be used by your doctor to check into your nose to see
whether a polyp or growth is obstructing your ability to smell or if an
infection is present.
Further testing by an ENT (ear, nose, and throat specialist)
or an otolaryngologist (nose, throat, and throat specialist) may be required to
diagnose the aetiology of anosmia. A CT scan may be required to provide the
doctor a clearer view of the region.
Treatments for
Anosmia
If anosmia
is caused by nasal congestion caused by a cold or allergies, treatment is
typically unnecessary, and the issue will resolve on its own. Short-term usage
of over-the-counter decongestants may help you breathe easier by opening up
your nasal passages. Consult your doctor if the congestion worsens or does not
go away after a few days. You might have an infection that requires
antibiotics, or you could be suffering from another medical problem.

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