{"id":1758,"date":"2022-08-26T13:39:59","date_gmt":"2022-08-26T18:39:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/?p=1758"},"modified":"2022-08-26T13:40:20","modified_gmt":"2022-08-26T18:40:20","slug":"struggling-to-smell-heres-what-may-be-causing-it-treatment-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/struggling-to-smell-heres-what-may-be-causing-it-treatment-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Struggling to Smell? Here\u2019s What May Be Causing It &#038; Treatment Options"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1254\" height=\"836\" src=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/woman-having-trouble-smelling.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1764\" srcset=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/woman-having-trouble-smelling.jpg 1254w, https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/woman-having-trouble-smelling-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1254px) 100vw, 1254px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>If you partially or fully lose the ability to smell the beautiful flowers at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.greenvillesc.gov\/167\/Falls-Park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Falls Park<\/a>, 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\u2019s diagnosed and how it\u2019s treated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Anosmia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Irritation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your mucus membranes can experience irritation from:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Allergic rhinitis.<\/li><li>Common cold.<\/li><li>Flu.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/ent\/nose\/nasal-congestion\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/ent\/nose\/nasal-congestion\/\">Nonallergic rhinitis<\/a>.<\/li><li>Sinus infection.<\/li><li>Smoking.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Blockage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Something can physically block the nose, preventing smells from entering. Possible blockages include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Bone deformities.<\/li><li>Foreign objects.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/ent\/nose\/nasal-obstructions\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/ent\/nose\/nasal-obstructions\/\">Nasal polyps<\/a>.<\/li><li>Tumors.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brain\/Nerve Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many conditions can affect the brain in a way that causes you to lose your sense of smell, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Alcoholism.<\/li><li>Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/li><li>Brain surgery.<\/li><li>Brain tumors.<\/li><li>Diabetes.<\/li><li>Epilepsy.<\/li><li>Old age.<\/li><li>Head injury.<\/li><li>Hormonal problems.<\/li><li>Huntington\u2019s disease.<\/li><li>Malnutrition.<\/li><li>Medications.<\/li><li>Multiple sclerosis.<\/li><li>Parkinson\u2019s disease.<\/li><li>Schizophrenia.<\/li><li>Stroke.<\/li><li>Radiation therapy.<\/li><li>Underactive thyroid.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Is Anosmia Diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>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:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>CT scans.<\/li><li>MRI scans.<\/li><li>Nasal endoscopy.<\/li><li>X-ray.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Is Anosmia Treated?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Treatment for anosmia depends on the underlying cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Irritation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on the exact cause of your irritation, it can be treated with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Antibiotics.<\/li><li>Antihistamines.<\/li><li>Avoidance of allergens\/irritants.<\/li><li>Decongestants.<\/li><li>Smoking cessation.<\/li><li>Steroid nasal sprays.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Blockage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If your anosmia is caused by a blockage, it can be treated by removing it, usually though surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brain\/Nerve Damage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What About COVID-19?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Losing your sense of smell is a well-known symptom of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC7604015\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">COVID-19<\/a>; 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 <span class=\"company-name \">Foothills ENT<\/span> today.<\/p>\n\n\n<ul class=\"related-posts\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/common-ent-symptoms-to-look-out-for-this-year\/\" class=\"related-post\">Common ENT Symptoms to Look Out for This Year<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/three-reasons-why-you-may-have-a-runny-nose\/\" class=\"related-post\">Three Reasons Why You May Have a Runny Nose<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/foothillsentahc.com\/what-is-nasal-valve-collapse-how-is-it-treated\/\" class=\"related-post\">What Is Nasal Valve Collapse &amp; How Is It Treated?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1764,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"none","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"There&#039;s a wide range of causes for a loss of smell. Learn about what might be causing yours and how you can treat it. 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