Anosmia is the condition of the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. Losing the sense of smell is one of the symptoms of having contracted Covid-19. By now all of us know about it. But do you know that some people are born with no sense of smell? Though we often talk about how the other sensory organs fail to function, the nose hasn’t ever found prominence in these discussions. Most of take our sense of smell for granted.
The Underlying Condition
Anosmia is the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. This loss may be temporary or permanent. Without your sense of smell, you can’t smell different scents, food may not taste as nice and you could find yourself in a dangerous situation, unknowingly.
Common conditions that irritate the nose’s lining, such as allergies or a cold, can lead to temporary anosmia. Old age also leads to anosmia in some people. But in rare cases, people are born without a sense of smell due to a genetic condition. This is called congenital anosmia.
The loss of smell is a condition, which is frequently, caused when either the system is unable to send signals to the brain or when there is a blockage in the nose that prevents odours from getting to the top of the nose. Smoking and sinus infections, a common cold, flu and influenza are the main reasons for temporary anosmia.
The Loss of Smell
There are several consequences arising out of anosmia. People who lack a sense of smell may often lose interest in food and eating. This could lead to malnutrition and weight loss, especially among senior citizens.
Another danger is related to gas leaks or fire in the house. People with anosmia should make sure to have functioning smoke alarms in their homes at all times. They should be careful about gas knobs. They should also be cautious with food storage as they may have trouble detecting spoiled food items.
Treatment for Anosmia
The treatment for anosmia depends on the cause. The first step is to identify that there is a problem and meet your physician. If the loss of smell occurs with a cold, allergy, or sinus infection, it will typically clear up on its own in a few days. If it is due to nasal irritation then the doctor may suggest decongestants or antihistamines (in case of allergy). But if the condition persists despite having recovered from cold then don’t hesitate to meet a doctor.
Loss of smell caused by nasal obstruction can be treated by removing whatever is obstructing your nasal passage. This mode of treatment can be pursued through a small surgical procedure that involves removing nasal polyps, straightening the nasal septum, or even clearing out the sinuses.
Older people are more susceptible to losing their sense of smell permanently. There is no treatment currently available for people with congenital anosmia. But you should not be embarrassed about sharing this problem with others. It’s a problem related to a sense organ just like hearing or seeing. Don’t hesitate to talk about anosmia.
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