Anosmia

WHAT IS ANOSMIA?

Anosmia means not being able to smell. Not being able to smell can occur in sharp odors or mild odors, or it can also be experienced as a complete loss of the sense of smell. It can be summarized as a person not feeling a smell that anyone can smell in any environment. Anosmia, or inability to smell, is also known as smell blindness. Smell disorders are not limited to anosmia, that is, the inability to smell. Especially after the coronavirus epidemic, different smell disorders such as parosmia (smells different than they are, such as smelling apples) or cacosmia (feeling the smell of food as rotten) are common along with anosmia.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ANOSMIA (NOTABLE TO SMELL)?

Symptoms of anosmia are manifested by the person's inability to smell the environment he is in. It usually occurs when the smell of consumed foods is not detected. However, sometimes it is decisive not to smell strong odors used in daily life such as perfume, soap and cologne. It is not possible for the person to understand whether the feeling of not being able to smell is unilateral or bilateral.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF ANOSMIA (NOTABLE TO SMELL)?

When explaining the causes of anosmia (not being able to smell), it is important to know how the smell is perceived.

There are air molecules associated with smell. These molecules in the air are drawn into the nose with the breath. There is a center equipped with olfactory receptors in the upper 1/3 of the nose. Odor molecules arriving at the nerve endings in this center are dissolved by enzymatic reactions. Nerve endings detect the smell, activate it and direct it to the brain with electrical stimulation. The olfactory center in the brain separates the incoming electrical stimulus and distinguishes what the smell belongs to.

Problems may occur in two ways when detecting odor. Transmission type; That is, there is a problem that prevents the transmission of odor molecules or problems that occur in the so-called cereneural nerves.

Conduction type anosmia: During the perception of odor, odor molecules reach the area called olfactory mucosa in the nose, where the olfactory nerve endings are located. The inability of odor molecules to reach this region for various reasons leads to conductive odor disorders. The causes of conductive anosmia can occur in different ways;

Abnormally swollen nasal glands called nasal polyps and obstruction of the nose may cause conductive anosmia (inability to smell). Treatment of the polyp can improve the anosmia experienced.
Severe nasal curvature can also lead to loss of smell ability over time. Correcting the curvature can correct anosmia.
Upper respiratory tract infections such as flu, cold and allergies cause general congestion in the nose. These blockages can prevent the air flow from reaching the upper side.
Since coronavirus affects the mucosa like flu and cold, it is often classified as conduction-type olfactory problems. However, it is known that some viruses have effects on nerves. It should not be forgotten that sensorineural type smell loss may also occur in viral diseases.
Cigarette, hookah or drug use are among the causes of conductive anosmia.

Sensorineural type anosmia: Odor molecules normally reach the area called olfactory mucosa. Although there is chemical dissolution in the area called olfactory mucosa, transmission problems to the brain may occur due to problems in the nerves. These cases are classified as sensorineural type olfactory disorders.

brain tumors
skull base fractures
Alzheimer's disease
hormonal disturbances
Epilepsy
Parkinson's
Brain surgery
Brain aneurysm is the most common cause of sensorineural type anosmia. (can't smell)

Conduction type anosmia (not being able to smell) is more common and is a problem of not being able to smell that is more treatable.

When the cause of anosmia is a brain tumor or brain aneurysm
Headache
Nausea, vomiting, double vision, blurred vision.
Fainting (epileptic seizures)
Balance and gait disorders
Brain tumor-related symptoms such as numbness, tingling or loss of strength in the arms and legs may also be experienced.

HOW IS ANOSMIA (INABILITY TO SMELL) DIAGNOSED?

In the diagnosis of anosmia (inability to smell), the patient's complaints are at the forefront. It is necessary to first make a differential diagnosis in a patient who comes to the polyclinic with the complaint of not being able to smell. Revealing the underlying cause of anosmia, that is, the problem of smelling, is the first step of treatment. Anosmia can be a finding or a disease in itself.

For diagnosis in case of inability to smell; Butanol threshold test, in which the patient is asked to smell diluted versions of some chemicals at a certain rate, or olfactometry tests, in which the patient is smelled of odorous gas, can be applied. However, in cases of anosmia, that is, the inability to smell, examinations are performed for the underlying causes.

endoscopic examination
Sinus tomography
Brain MRI or CT imaging is performed to check for the presence of a condition causing conduction blockage.

HOW WAS THE TREATMENT FOR ANOSMIA (NOTABLE TO SMELL)?R?

The treatment of anosmia (inability to smell) is to eliminate the cause if a cause can be identified. Whatever the disorder causing anosmia, treatment should be directed towards this disorder. In case of the presence of nasal polyps in the nose, its treatment can eliminate the problem of not being able to smell. In the presence of allergic conditions, medical treatment should be arranged or if there is a curvature of the nose, surgical deviation needs to be corrected.

Trauma to the olfactory nerves located in the upper part of the nose, sinusitisIn cases such as or severe infection, it can sometimes be irreversibly damaged. Despite all medical and surgical treatments, anosmia (inability to smell) may not be treated.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ANOSMIA (INABILITY TO SMELL)

What are the complications of anosmia (not being able to smell)?

Not being able to smell can sometimes lead to life-threatening problems. Patients need to be careful about some issues.

Anosmia, or inability to smell, can reduce a person's interest in nutrition. Nutritional problems may occur in cases of not being able to smell for a long time.
Anosmia (inability to smell) patients should have a working smoke alarm in their homes at all times.
They should also pay attention to food storage and natural gas use, as they may have difficulty detecting spoiled food and gas leaks.

Is anosmia (inability to smell) caused by Covid-19 temporary?

The mechanism of anosmia (inability to smell) caused by coronavirus is actually the upper respiratory tract infection it causes. However, sometimes viral infections can also affect the nerve itself, as in cases such as facial paralysis.

If the Covid-19 virus has caused problems in the olfactory mucosa, as in the case of flu or other upper respiratory tract infections, the mucosa can repair itself after the infection. In this case, the smell problem may disappear on its own.

However, in cases where the Covid-19 virus directly affects the nerve, anosmia may be permanent. Even if anosmia disappears in cases where the virus directly affects the nerve endings, the problem of not being able to smell may return in cases where the immune system is weakened.

Is there any herbal treatment for anosmia (inability to smell)?

There is no known herbal treatment for anosmia (inability to smell).

However, smell exercises can be performed in the treatment of anosmia. Smell, like all senses, can be directed and activated.

The predominant smells that the patient likes during periods when he cannot smell are; It smells like lemon, fresh mint and coffee. Anosmia patients can exercise with scented plants 2-3 times a day at regular intervals. In this way, the olfactory nerve can be activated by reminding the brain.

It is thought that doing olfactory exercises during anosmia will be beneficial. If odor information does not pass from the nose to the brain, after a while the brain may gradually close itself off to odors. Smell exercises should not be neglected to keep the brain alert in terms of smell.

However, boiling and drinking or eating a plant has no place in the treatment of anosmia (inability to smell).

How to cure anosmia (not being able to smell)?

Anosmia (inability to smell) can sometimes go away on its own. However, first an evaluation should be made by a specialist doctor. In cases where there are concrete pathologies related to anosmia, these need to be corrected. In addition, vitamin B, which is known to have a positive effect on all nerves, can also be used in the treatment of anosmia.

Can anosmia (inability to smell) be permanent in cases of flu, flu and cold?

Anosmia (inability to smell) may be permanent in upper respiratory tract infections. The capillary endings of the nerve in the olfactory mucosa, which provides olfactory perception in the nose, are very thin and very close to the surface. Olfactory nerves can sometimes shut down in an unexpected reaction to infections. Damage to the ends of the olfactory nerve in severe flu, flu or cold can sometimes be permanent. Damage to the nerve can repair itself within the first month, but in some cases, it may take 6 months to 1 year for the nerve to recover. Meanwhile, scent exercises can be applied. If there is an existing infection, it is treated.

What should be taken into consideration to avoid anosmia (not being able to smell)?

It is important to take the necessary precautions against infections such as flu, sinusitis and cold. In chronic cases, necessary medical treatments must be arranged.
The nose must be kept clean at all times.
Avoid bad air, cigarettes, snuff, hookah or drug use that may irritate the nose.

Sinusitis anosmia (inability to smell) why does it happen?

Sinusitis can affect the mucosa and nerves in the olfactory mechanism of the nose. Damage due to sinusitis can cause temporary or permanent anosmia. However, most of the time the loss of smell goes away.

Is there a connection between not being able to taste and anosmia (not being able to smell)?

There is no direct connection between anosmia and inability to taste. Taste and olfactory nerves are independent of each other. However, the senses of taste and smell are combined by the person while eating. Taste and smell are emotions that people have been taught together. Not every smell is tasted, but everything smelled during the meal is eaten. Everything that is tasted is also smelled. In other words, taste and smell are combined by people. Therefore, when there is no smell while eating, the person feels like he has a taste problem. If the food consumed cannot be smelled, the person may also feel that he or she does not taste it. However, in fact, the two nerves are completely independent of each other.

However, both taste and olfactory nerves can be affected in cases such as severe flu. In such cases, the person may not be able to taste and smell independently of each other.