If you partially or fully lose the ability to smell the beautiful flowers at Falls Park, the condition is known as anosmia. Depending on the cause, anosmia may be temporary or permanent. You should see a doctor right away if you experience anosmia, as it could be the symptom of something serious. In this post, we review the causes of anosmia, how it’s diagnosed and how it’s treated.
What Causes Anosmia?
Anosmia may be caused by irritation to the mucus membranes that line the nose, blockage of the nasal passages or damage to the brain or nerves.
Irritation
Your mucus membranes can experience irritation from:
- Allergic rhinitis.
- Common cold.
- Flu.
- Nonallergic rhinitis.
- Sinus infection.
- Smoking.
Blockage
Something can physically block the nose, preventing smells from entering. Possible blockages include:
- Bone deformities.
- Foreign objects.
- Nasal polyps.
- Tumors.
Brain/Nerve Damage
Many conditions can affect the brain in a way that causes you to lose your sense of smell, including:
- Alcoholism.
- Alzheimer’s disease.
- Brain surgery.
- Brain tumors.
- Diabetes.
- Epilepsy.
- Old age.
- Head injury.
- Hormonal problems.
- Huntington’s disease.
- Malnutrition.
- Medications.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Schizophrenia.
- Stroke.
- Radiation therapy.
- Underactive thyroid.
How Is Anosmia Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose anosmia, a doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, perform a physical exam, take your medical history and order tests such as:
- CT scans.
- MRI scans.
- Nasal endoscopy.
- X-ray.
How Is Anosmia Treated?
Treatment for anosmia depends on the underlying cause.
Irritation
Depending on the exact cause of your irritation, it can be treated with:
- Antibiotics.
- Antihistamines.
- Avoidance of allergens/irritants.
- Decongestants.
- Smoking cessation.
- Steroid nasal sprays.
Blockage
If your anosmia is caused by a blockage, it can be treated by removing it, usually though surgery.
Brain/Nerve Damage
Unfortunately, in most cases, anosmia caused by brain/nerve damage is often not treatable. However, if you have partial anosmia, you can add concentrated flavoring agents to your food so you can better enjoy it.
What About COVID-19?
Losing your sense of smell is a well-known symptom of COVID-19; however, the reason for this connection is not well-understood. If you experience loss of smell, the first thing you should do is get tested for COVID and isolate until your results come back. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call Foothills ENT today.