Loss of Taste and Smell

Ones ability to taste and smell is a rare gift which most take for granted. It not only allows us to enjoy delicious foods and enjoy their rich aromas, but also plays an important role in warning us against fires, poisonous substances or even certain gasses which may be harmful or even lethal.

A person's ability to taste and smell may be explained in the simple equation bellow:

The ability to taste = (and is influenced by) ones ability to smell an aroma

For instance, when you have a cold and your nasal passages are completely blocked food becomes tasteless and dull, as you are unable to smell the foods delicious aromas.

Try holding you nose and eating something you enjoy most. the result would be that your favorite food doesn't taste so good anymore and has lost its beloved flavor!

After a while of not being able to taste or smell foods, your appetite may dwindle, you may feel unenthusiastic about eating out at nice restaurants or even feel depressed with life. This means that your overall health and well being will be severely affected.

What are the different types of loss of taste and smell?

• Anosmia is the complete loss of ones ability to smell
• Hyposmia is a partial loss of ones ability to smell
• Ageusia is the complete loss of ones ability to taste
• Hypogeusia is the partial loss of ones ability to taste
• Parosmia is a condition were ones sense of smell is distorted or where one smells certain odors that are not present, i.e. Phantom odors
• Dusgeusia is a condition were one tastes abnormal phantom tastes

What are the causes of a loss of taste and smell?

• People over the age of 30 tend to gradually loose their ability to smell aromas. This may be due to a degeneration of the nerves which control smell and a loss of sensitivity in ones taste buds.
• Men, regardless of age have a lower ability to distinguish between odors.
• Smoking causes damage to the nasal membranes and reduces ones ability to identify odors. Foods will also become tasteless as a result of smoking and one may even lose his/her ability to smell aromas.
• Certain nervous system diseases or radiation treatment for cancer patients may result in a lack of taste and smell.
• Nasal polyps or growths blocking the nasal passages or sinus cavities diminish ones sense of smell as aromas will not reach the receptor areas were ones sense of smell is formed.
• A small percentage of the worlds population are born without the ability to smell. This condition is called congenital anosmia.
• Another cause for a loss of taste and smell may be that one may have an upper viral, respiratory infection.
• Sinusitis or blocked nasal passages cause a blockage in the flow of air, therefore reducing the amount of aromas reaching the smell receptors.
• A trauma to the head may lead to partial or permanent loss of smell as the nerves responsible for smell may be damaged or contain scar tissue.
• In rare cases ones loss of smell may be due to a non-malignant brain tumor.
• Gingivitis or gum diseases may predispose one to having a loss of taste or smell.
• Vitamin B12 and Zinc are two important components which help with ones taste, smell and appetite. A deficiency in the above two may result in a diminished sense of smell or taste and perhaps even weight loss.

How does a doctor test ones ability to smell or taste?

There are a variety of methods a doctor may use to test ones ability to smell and taste. These include:

• "scratch and sniff" tests where a patient is required to scratch a area on a certain piece of paper containing a specific aroma and identify the aroma.
• If ones loss of smell is due to an obstruction in the nasal passages or sinus cavities, a doctor may perform a nasal examination using an endoscope or nasal telescope.
• If the problem lies with ones nerves which control ones sense of smell, a X-ray or CAT scan may be required to identify the problem.

What are the symptoms of a loss of taste and smell?

• Food substances may have a slight metallic taste.
• One may experience a gradual dislike to foods as they are tasteless and offer no variety.
  This may also result in weight loss as one may tend to skip meals through the day.
• A gradual loss of smell and taste may occur due to a cold or sinus infection. If after the cold or sinus infection has cleared up, your sense of smell and taste has not return, it is important that you visit your GP so that he/she can identify any underlying causes for your loss of smell or taste.

How can I effectively treat my loss of taste and smell?

• If your loss of smell and taste is due to congestion or a blocked nose, try waiting a couple of days till this cold has cleared up and your nasal passages are open. By inhaling the steam from a hot shower or steam from water infused with essential oils, one may help clear and open up ones nasal passages.
• The minute one stops smoking, the damage to the nasal passages begins to repair itself, helping treat any loss of smell caused by smoking.
• If your loss of smell is not due to a cold or infection and has persisted for a long period of time, it is always advisable to visit ones doctor as this condition may be caused by a more serious underlying condition.

The good news here is that our cells responsible for smell and taste are regularly replaced when they become old, worn out or damaged.

This information has lead SinusWars LLC in developing SinusWars4.