Materiały źródłowe

• #1 Anosmia (Loss of Smell): Causes & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21859-anosmia-loss-of-sense-of-smell

  You cant always prevent anosmia because so many things can cause it. In general, protecting yourself from colds and other respiratory conditions may reduce your risk of losing your sense of smell. […] Anosmia means youve lost your sense of smell. Often, its a side effect of common medical issues like colds, seasonal allergies or polyps in your nose. Your sense of smell usually comes back once the underlying issue goes away or you receive treatment. Sometimes anosmia doesnt go away. That’s when you should talk to a healthcare provider because it may be a symptom of serious medical conditions like diabetes or a brain injury.

• #1 Smell – impaired – UF Health

  https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/smell-impaired

  Impaired smell is the partial or total loss or abnormal perception of the sense of smell. […] The loss of smell can occur with conditions that prevent air from reaching smell receptors located high in the nose, or loss of or injury to the smell receptors. Loss of smell is not serious, but can sometimes be a sign of a nervous system condition. […] Treating the cause of the problem may correct the lost sense of smell. Treatment can include: Antihistamines (if the condition is due to an allergy), Changes in medicine, Surgery to correct blockages, Treatment of other disorders, Olfactory retraining therapy using familiar odors can help improve the sense of smell in a minority of patients. […] If you lose your sense of smell, you may have changes in taste. Adding highly seasoned foods to your diet can help stimulate the taste sensations that you still have. […] There is no treatment for loss of smell due to aging. […] If the loss of sense of smell is caused by a stuffy nose (nasal congestion), decongestants or antihistamines may be prescribed.

• #1 How to Regain Your Sense of Smell & Taste After Head Injury

  https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/how-to-regain-sense-of-smell-after-head-injury

  Loss of taste and smell featured heavily in the news during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the first signs of infection. But this is not the only condition that may lead to loss of smell. You could also experience this symptom after a traumatic brain injury (TBI), whether it was a mild TBI (concussion) or a severe head injury. […] Unfortunately, many patients with changes in smell or taste after a head injury struggle to (a) obtain a diagnosis and (b) receive meaningful treatment. […] On the other hand, concussion patients often fail to receive a diagnosis because many doctors are not aware that a mild head injury can cause changes in smell and taste. […] Loss of smell and taste may not appear serious on paper, but these changes make a big difference in your enjoyment of everyday activities. Changes in smell and taste can lead to excessive weight loss, withdrawal from social activities, and depression.

• #1 Impaired Smell: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

  https://www.healthline.com/health/smell-impaired

  Impaired smell is the inability to smell properly. It can describe a complete inability to smell, or the partial inability to smell. […] Loss of smell can occur due to problems in the nose, brain, or nervous system. […] Theres no sure way to prevent the loss of smell. You can minimize the risk of contracting colds or bacterial infections by taking the following steps: Wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Wash your hands after touching public areas. When possible, avoid people who have colds or the flu. […] Be familiar with the possible side effects of all of your prescription medications. Side effects printed in the leaflet material may include impaired smell.

• #1 Ways to regain your sense of smell – Harvard Health

  https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/ways-to-regain-your-sense-of-smell

  Your smell sense gives you a superpower. Without moving a muscle or opening your eyes, it helps you detect danger, store or trigger memories, discern flavors, or get a rush of feel-good chemicals during a meal. So you can imagine that losing your sense of smell (a problem doctors call anosmia) can be devastating. Many millions of people have been experiencing it as a common side effect of COVID-19. Other conditions also can lead to anosmia. […] When it occurs, you need to try to regain the sense as soon as possible. „The longer you go without it, the less likely you are to recover it,” says Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear. […] If you’ve lost your sense of smell, don’t wait around for it to come back. „We used to tell people to wait six months before they came to see us about it,” Dr. Bhattacharyya says. „But now we want you to begin smell retraining therapy as soon as possible to activate the body’s recovery process.” […] Treating an underlying condition may restore your sense of smell. And if you can smell again, you’ll be able to taste and enjoy food again, and restore your quality of life.

• #1 Anosmia (Loss of Smell) | Stanford Health Care

  https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/ear-nose-and-throat/anosmia-loss-of-smell.html

  Anosmia (Loss of Smell) and hyposmia (partial loss of smell) can result from many conditions, medications, and infections. […] If you notice symptoms of anosmia, it is important to seek treatment right away. Delaying treatment may result in permanent smell loss. […] Treatments may include changing medications, treating an infection (such as COVID-19), smell retraining therapy, or surgery to remove a blockage. […] Anosmia is a common symptom of COVID-19 and long COVID. Many other viral infections can also cause this condition. Usually, the sense of smell returns in a few weeks, but it can take months or even longer to return. […] Your doctor will review your medical history and ask about medications you’re taking. They will ask about your symptoms, including when they began, whether your taste is affected, and what type of symptoms you’re having, such as nasal congestion from allergies or an upper respiratory infection.

• #1 Loss of Smell (Anosmia) > Fact Sheets > Yale Medicine

  https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/smell-and-taste-disorders

  A condition that causes a person to partially or completely lose his or her sense of smell. […] Symptoms include loss of smell and change in tastes of food. […] Treatment starts with diagnosing the underlying condition. […] The sense of smell is important to overall health and nutrition since diminished sensations can lead to poor appetite and malnutrition, especially in the elderly. […] An altered sense of smell may pose other health-related problems. […] Your physician will examine you to determine the cause of your smell disturbance. […] Because anosmia can result from any number of conditions, your doctor will first address the primary condition that seems to be causing the problem. […] However, it’s important to know that sometimes the cause of smell disorder can’t be determined for certain. And sometimes anosmia cannot be treated. […] At Yale Medicine, we take the time to identify the cause of your smell disturbances and identify appropriate treatment.

• #1 Loss of Taste and Smell COVID-19: Symptoms & Treatment | Ada Health

  https://ada.com/covid/covid-19-symptom-loss-of-taste-and-smell/

  A loss of smell or taste is a frequent symptom of COVID-19. […] Treatment with olfactory exercises would be effective in regaining your sense of smell. […] You can consider treatment if your sense of smell and taste arent returning after 2 weeks. […] The loss of smell or taste can persist as a symptom of long-COVID-19. […] Most people get their sense of smell and taste back after some time, but there are cases where these symptoms persist long after the infection with COVID. Luckily, treatment with olfactory exercises has proven effective in regaining your ability to smell. […] If this symptom persists for over 2 weeks, therapy might be considered. The loss of taste or smell can be treated by olfactory training. […] Studies also suggest treatment methods with steroids, although further research is still required.

• #1 Anyone Gotten their Taste and Smell Back after Covid in 2022? | Mayo Clinic Connect

  https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/loss-of-taste-and-smell-after-covid-in-2022/

  I was diagnosed with post covid syndrome in October 2023. Had been sick in September. My main symptom was a strong metallic taste, later turned bitter, when I saw the ENT. He administered a sniff test and discovered that my smell was very poor. I scored very low and was diagnosed with smell disorder. My taste was also affected. I lost a lot of weight, though I wanted to. My primary suggested scent retaining and I did that on an intermittent basis. […] The only way to prevent from getting Long-COVID is to keep from getting COVID. […] I recommend you look at the free membership ‘Abscent’ website with huge range of tips, discussions, personal reflections, on line courses etc. […] Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. I will be looking into the Absent website and Professor Arianna di Stadio. I’m willing to try anything at this point! Thanks again!

• #1 Restoring Smell and Taste After Covid

  https://research.jefferson.edu/2023-magazine/restoring-smell-and-taste-after-covid.html

  Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, over 96 million Americans have been infected with the coronavirus. With the earliest variants of the virus, loss of smell or anosmia, was one of the first signs. […] Anosmia patients are also at risk of developing depression and weight loss from losing the joy of tasting food, as the majority of flavor actually comes from aroma. […] The silver lining to this very dark cloud is that weve never had such a large cohort of anosmia patients at one time, and we can pinpoint the exact cause, says Dr. Dalton. It has focused some much-needed attention on not just understanding mechanisms, but also developing treatments. […] Dr. Rosen says the gold standard for patients with smell disorders is a technique called smell training. It is easy for patients to do at home and requires mindfully smelling different scents for a few minutes each day.

• #1 Smell Retraining Therapy – ENT Health

  https://www.enthealth.org/be_ent_smart/smell-retraining-therapy/

  Smell retraining therapy (SRT) is a treatment for loss of smell, also referred to as hyposmia or anosmia. It can be used to help return your sense of smell if it was lost during a viral infection or minor head trauma. […] Most of the studies on SRT have been done on patients with post-viral (i.e., after a cold or upper respiratory infection) smell loss. Research findings on SRT for COVID-19-related smell loss are not yet available. It seems that most people get their sense of smell back within several months after COVID-19. If you are not in that group, it may be beneficial to consider trying SRT. Even if it is not helpful, it will not worsen the problem. […] A study conducted by researchers at Stanford University showed that SRT worked better when paired with sinus rinses that included steroids.

• #1 Olfactory Training – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf

  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK567741/

  Olfactory training is a non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatment option for patients with olfactory dysfunction. […] A non-surgical and non-pharmacological approach to improve olfactory function is olfactory training, wherein patients expose themselves twice daily to different odors over the course of several months. […] Olfactory training is comparatively simple, and so far, serious side effects have not been reported. […] Olfactory training is the only treatment option available to patients with olfactory dysfunction due to other etiologies. […] Olfactory training may be considered for olfactory dysfunction secondary to sinonasal disease when surgical treatment options are exhausted, not possible, or after completion of surgical interventions. […] The likelihood of improvement with olfactory training for patients with post-infectious olfactory dysfunction is comparatively good.

• #1 Loss of Smell in the COVID-19 Era: When to Worry | Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

  https://www.chop.edu/news/health-tip/loss-smell-covid-19-era-when-worry

  Olfactory training also known as smell training has been used successfully for years to help patients reengage their sense of smell after viral infections and other ailments. This technique involves consciously sniffing several familiar odors one at a time for a minute or two twice a day to stimulate recovery. […] After consulting with a trained professional, parents can begin olfactory training at home with their child. Parents should encourage children to vary between gentle and deep sniffs of the item before moving on to the next. […] Losing the ability to smell beyond a few days can be an indicator of something more serious. Your childs pediatrician with support from an ENT specialist, as needed can help determine next steps. […] While a childs loss of their sense of smell is not always a sign of a more serious condition, it can serve as an important warning sign and should be investigated further.

• #1 Azthena logo with the word Azthena

  https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210118/Treating-post-infectious-smell-loss-in-COVID-19-patients.aspx

  Firstly, after official recognition by the WHO and subsequently, the UK government, it was about showing just how common smell dysfunction was. […] Ongoing global data collection has shown that at 40 days from the onset of COVID-19, about 50% of people have fully recovered their sense of smell and it is estimated that about 10% of those infected fail to show any recovery. […] This paper was designed to summarise the knowledge on treating smell disorders caused by viruses including, but not exclusively, COVID-19. […] We agreed that the best treatment to recommend is smell training and that Vitamin A drops may also be a treatment option. […] The coronavirus family has previously been implicated in smell loss, so treatment options for all viruses are felt to apply to COVID-19 at this time.

• #1 Loss of Smell and Taste in Long-COVID | New Treatments

  https://eviviacare.com/loss-of-smell-and-taste-long-covid-19/

  Individuals who have loss of smell due to COVID syndrome can benefit from olfactory training or smell retraining therapy. […] The olfactory training has demonstrated to be effective in the recovery of smell sensation in patients with long COVID syndrome. It is thought to work by repeatedly stimulating olfactory neurons, which, unlike the overwhelming majority of other nerve cells in the brain, have the ability to regenerate. […] Neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory agents such as intranasal or oral corticosteroids, statins, minocycline, intranasal vitamin A, omega-3 and melatonin may help with regeneration of olfactory receptor neurons.

• #1 COVID-19: A potential treatment for loss of smell | INRAE

  https://www.inrae.fr/en/news/covid-19-potential-treatment-loss-smell

  One of the most persistent and debilitating symptoms of COVID19 is anosmia or loss of smell. Researchers at INRAE and ENVA have discovered that a corticoid treatment could help restore the olfactory capacities affected by the viral infection. […] COVID-19 is known to cause loss of smell in certain patients. While this symptom is generally temporary, approximately 10% of patients may suffer from it for 6 months or more. […] Based on these observations, the same team decided to assess the effectiveness of corticosteroids–known for their anti-inflammatory properties in restoring the sense of smell. […] The improvement of the olfactory capacities is associated with a reduction of the immunity cells in the mucosa, and an increased level of regeneration of the olfactory neuron population. These results suggest that the corticosteroid treatments currently used which have not been very successful in the treatment of prolonged anosmia could be more effective if prescribed early, at the onset of symptoms of loss of smell.

• #1

  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/long-covid-lost-taste-smell-treatment-procedure-rcna75034

  A numbing procedure usually used to treat pain and post-traumatic stress disorder is being tested as a way to restore smell and taste in people with long Covid. […] Not many treatments are available for smell disorders. Doctors may try olfactory retraining, in which patients concentrate on sniffing four scents usually rose, eucalyptus, lemon and clove twice a day for at least three months. Smell therapy has shown promise in some clinical trials. […] A stellate ganglion block is not the only potential remedy under investigation for loss of smell. Patel, of Stanford, ran a study looking at whether an injection of platelet-rich plasma deep into the nasal cavity might help prompt olfactory neurons to form correctly. […] „This should be treated as a scientific clue rather than a solution at this point,” Liu said, adding that larger studies are needed.

• #1 Why your sense of smell is important to your health | UCLA Health

  https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/why-your-sense-of-smell-is-important-to-your-health

  Losing the sense of smell is one of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, but many people live with a minimized or lost sense of smell from other causes too. […] About 3% of Americans have anosmia (no sense of smell) or severe hyposmia (minimal sense of smell). […] Living with a reduced or lost sense of smell can greatly affect your health, happiness and general quality of life, and it can happen to anyone. […] Temporary loss of smell may result from: Cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy; Harmless growth in the nose or sinuses, called a polyp; Medications, such as antibiotics or blood pressure medication; Sinus or upper respiratory infections, such as a cold, the flu or COVID-19; Smoking, which makes you six times more likely to have a poor sense of smell. […] The causes of permanent loss of smell may include: Age, especially after age 70; Conditions affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease; Exposure to certain chemicals, when exposure occurs for a long period of time; Head injury, which can damage the nerves related to smell.

• #1 Healthy aging

  https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/loss-of-taste-and-smell/faq-20058455

  Some loss of taste and smell is natural with aging, especially after age 60. […] Loss of taste and smell can have a significant impact on quality of life. It often leads to decreased appetite and poor nutrition. It can sometimes contribute to depression. […] If you’re experiencing loss of taste and smell, see your health care provider. Some causes of impaired taste and smell are treatable. […] If you smoke, quitting can help restore your sense of smell. […] If your symptoms don’t improve after treating the cause of your loss of taste and smell, your health care provider may recommend smell training therapy. […] Your health care provider might also recommend strategies to help you cope with loss of taste and smell.

• #1 Smell (Olfactory) Disorders—Anosmia, Phantosmia & Others | NIDCD

  https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders

  People who have a smell disorder either have a decrease in their ability to smell or changes in the way they perceive odors. […] Smell disorders have many causes, with some more obvious than others. Most people who develop a smell disorder have experienced a recent illness or injury. […] Diagnosis by a doctor is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of a potential smell disorder. […] If your smell disorder can’t be successfully treated, you might want to seek counseling to help you adjust. […] A smell disorder can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. It can also be related to other medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and malnutrition. If you are experiencing a smell disorder, talk with your doctor. […] NIDCD supports basic and clinical research of smell and taste disorders at its laboratories in Bethesda, Maryland, and at universities and chemosensory research centers across the country. These chemosensory scientists are exploring how to prevent the effects of aging on smell and taste.

• #1 Lost or changed sense of smell

  https://www2.hse.ie/conditions/lost-or-changed-sense-of-smell/

  A change in your sense of smell can be unpleasant and affect how things taste. But it is not usually serious and may get better in a few weeks or months. […] If your sense of smell is affected by an infection or allergy, rinsing the inside of your nose may help. Rinse up to 3 times a day with a salt water solution. […] Treating the cause might help. For example, steroid nasal sprays or drops might help if you have sinusitis or nasal polyps. […] A treatment called smell training can also help some people. […] If you have lost your sense of smell, you may not be able to smell things like gas leaks, fires and food that has gone off.

• #1 Lost or changed sense of smell | nidirect

  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/lost-or-changed-sense-smell

  A change in your sense of smell can be unpleasant and affect how things taste. But it isn’t usually serious and may get better in a few weeks or months. See your GP if your sense of smell doesn’t go back to normal in a few weeks. […] Rinsing the inside of your nose with a salt water solution may help if your sense of smell is affected by an infection or allergy. […] You should see your GP if your sense of smell doesn’t go back to normal in a few weeks. […] Treating the cause might help. For example, steroid nasal sprays or drops might help if you have sinusitis or nasal polyps. […] If you’ve lost your sense of smell, you may not be able to smell things like gas leaks, fires and food that has gone off.

• #1 Smell – impaired Information | Mount Sinai – New York

  https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/smell-impaired

  If you lose your sense of smell, you may have changes in taste. Adding highly seasoned foods to your diet can help stimulate the taste sensations that you still have. […] There is no treatment for loss of smell due to aging. […] If you have a loss of smell due to a recent upper respiratory infection, be patient. The sense of smell often returns to normal without treatment.

• #1

  https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/loss-smell-changes-breathing-patterns-depression-research-rcna176503

  Not having or losing your sense of smell may be linked to changes in breathing that could lead to depression, social isolation or other mental and physical health problems, a new study suggests. […] Previous research has linked anosmia to a wide variety of negative outcomes, ranging from dulled emotions and depression to a shortened lifespan, the authors noted. […] Losing the ability to detect odors can lead to impaired memory of events linked to specific smells, Gorodisky said. Because of that, it can take away the joy from daily activities such as eating and socializing with friends and family. […] Currently, health care providers often dont ask about or test for anosmia, Parma said. And that needs to change since its development later in life has been linked to the start of a number of serious disorders, including Alzheimers and Parkinsons, she said. […] The findings underscore the importance of testing for anosmia and finding treatments, said otolaryngologist Dr. Jonathan Overdevest at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York City.

• #1 Developing New Treatments for Smell Loss | ColumbiaDoctors

  https://www.columbiadoctors.org/news/developing-new-treatments-smell-loss

  Most people lose their sense of smell at some point, but there are some who never get it back and, unfortunately, smell loss has no cure. Yet. […] Currently, we use medications or surgical procedures to treat sinus disorders—the most correctable and common cause of smell loss. For other causes of smell loss, there are fewer treatments. The best existing therapy is olfactory training (also called olfactory enrichment) in which a person regularly smells known odors while remembering how they perceived the smell to enrich their sense of smell. […] Promoting a culture of awareness among the public, our research community, medical professionals, and policymakers will be the key to accelerating our understanding of smell loss and how we can go about correcting this sensory deficit.

• #1 I Lost My Sense of Smell: Do I Have COVID-19? | Rush

  https://www.rush.edu/news/i-lost-my-sense-smell-do-i-have-covid-19

  Do I have COVID-19 or is it something else? This question has probably crossed your mind a time or two or maybe even 20. COVID-19 symptoms can be so similar to other conditions, its not unusual to search your symptoms to see if you need to be tested. […] There are actually a variety of reasons other than COVID-19 why someone may lose their sense of smell, says Bobby Tajudeen, MD, director of rhinology, sinus surgery and skull base surgery at Rush University Medical Center. It can be due to nasal or sinus inflammation, or other viral infections distinct from COVID-19. […] This type of smell loss is actually the easiest to treat, Tajudeen explains, because doctors are able to treat the inflammatory condition, enabling you to regain your sense of smell. […] Anytime you experience a loss of smell, whether its gradual or immediate, its a good idea to see an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist to ensure you get proper treatment.

• #1 How we lose our sense of smell, and how it’s treated

  https://stanmed.stanford.edu/sense-smell-health/

  Among the human senses, smell — or more formally, olfaction — is often considered the most dispensable. But for people who’ve found themselves suddenly unable to smell — a more common predicament since the COVID-19 pandemic — the loss can be surprisingly, profoundly devastating. More than 1 in 5 Americans has experienced smell loss since the start of the pandemic. The surge has led to a closer look at the underdog sense and its intimate ties to brain health. Smell dysfunction is linked with depression and anxiety. A sudden loss of smell might be the earliest sign of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s, detectable long before any cognitive deficits appear. The standard treatments for the loss of smell often take months to work — if they do at all. […] Patel believes that smell has more to tell us and that olfactory testing might one day become as routine as mammograms and colonoscopies. But first, someone — why not her? — needs to invent a device that can easily and objectively measure smell ability.

• #1 When Loss of Smell and Taste Occurs with Long COVID > News > Yale Medicine

  https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/when-loss-of-smell-and-taste-occurs-with-long-covid

  An estimated 60% of patients infected in 2021 with SARS-Co-V2, the virus that causes COVID, lost some ability to taste or smell, according to research published in 2023. […] Most patients recover their sense of smell within one to two years. For many of those who do not, anosmia can cause significant emotional distress and depression. […] Clinical treatment options for anosmia following viral infections are currently limited and demonstrate mixed results. […] However, one option for patients is smell retraining. […] At the start of the nine-month anosmia treatment program, patients will receive four scentslemon, rose, eucalyptus, and cloves. […] Perhaps of equal importance to clinical efforts to support individuals with anosmia are patient advocacy groups like Fifth Sense and abScent, which have developed extensive networks to help support individuals with anosmia and connect them with resources and guides on living healthily and safely with anosmia. […] Most of medical literature on SGB for loss of smell or taste in patients with Long COVID is limited to case studies. A lot more research is needed, of course.

• #2 Why your sense of smell is important to your health | UCLA Health

  https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/why-your-sense-of-smell-is-important-to-your-health

  Losing the sense of smell is one of the symptoms associated with COVID-19, but many people live with a minimized or lost sense of smell from other causes too. […] About 3% of Americans have anosmia (no sense of smell) or severe hyposmia (minimal sense of smell). […] Living with a reduced or lost sense of smell can greatly affect your health, happiness and general quality of life, and it can happen to anyone. […] Temporary loss of smell may result from: Cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy; Harmless growth in the nose or sinuses, called a polyp; Medications, such as antibiotics or blood pressure medication; Sinus or upper respiratory infections, such as a cold, the flu or COVID-19; Smoking, which makes you six times more likely to have a poor sense of smell. […] The causes of permanent loss of smell may include: Age, especially after age 70; Conditions affecting the nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease; Exposure to certain chemicals, when exposure occurs for a long period of time; Head injury, which can damage the nerves related to smell.

• #2 Hyposmia: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

  https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25166-hyposmia

  Hyposmia is a decreased sense of smell. […] You cant always prevent hyposmia because many of the underlying causes are unavoidable. But there are things you can do to reduce your risk: Wear proper protective gear if you work in an environment with harmful chemicals. Keep existing health conditions in check. Practice good oral hygiene. Eat a well-balanced diet. If you smoke, consider quitting. Avoid insufflating (snorting) cocaine, opioids or other substances.

• #2 Lost or changed sense of smell

  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/lost-or-changed-sense-smell/

  A change in your sense of smell can be unpleasant and affect how things taste. But it’s not usually serious and may get better in a few weeks or months. […] Rinsing the inside of your nose with a saltwater solution may help if your sense of smell is affected by an infection or allergy. […] Your sense of smell may go back to normal in a few weeks or months. […] Treating the cause might help. For example, steroid nasal sprays or drops might help if you have sinusitis or nasal polyps. […] If you have lost your sense of smell, you may not be able to smell things like gas leaks, fires and food that’s gone off.

• #2 How to Regain Your Sense of Smell & Taste After Head Injury

  https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/how-to-regain-sense-of-smell-after-head-injury

  Studies show that up to half of patients with a mild brain injury will lose their sense of smell and taste in the first few days after the injury. […] Many of these patients regain their sense of smell and taste within six months of the injury. But for some patients, loss of smell and taste lingers for months or even years, often accompanied by a variety of other symptoms, such as headaches, brain fog, and difficulty concentrating. […] If your symptoms last longer than three months and cannot be explained by any other condition, then you may have post-concussion syndrome (PCS). […] Our advice is to seek treatment for post-concussion syndrome. […] If the damage is too severe, and the olfactory nerve is completely severed, or if scar tissue begins to form around it, it may be impossible for patients to recover their sense of smell.

• #2 Smell – impaired – UF Health

  https://ufhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/smell-impaired

  Impaired smell is the partial or total loss or abnormal perception of the sense of smell. […] The loss of smell can occur with conditions that prevent air from reaching smell receptors located high in the nose, or loss of or injury to the smell receptors. Loss of smell is not serious, but can sometimes be a sign of a nervous system condition. […] Treating the cause of the problem may correct the lost sense of smell. Treatment can include: Antihistamines (if the condition is due to an allergy), Changes in medicine, Surgery to correct blockages, Treatment of other disorders, Olfactory retraining therapy using familiar odors can help improve the sense of smell in a minority of patients. […] If you lose your sense of smell, you may have changes in taste. Adding highly seasoned foods to your diet can help stimulate the taste sensations that you still have. […] There is no treatment for loss of smell due to aging. […] If the loss of sense of smell is caused by a stuffy nose (nasal congestion), decongestants or antihistamines may be prescribed.

• #2 Ways to regain your sense of smell – Harvard Health

  https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/ways-to-regain-your-sense-of-smell

  Your smell sense gives you a superpower. Without moving a muscle or opening your eyes, it helps you detect danger, store or trigger memories, discern flavors, or get a rush of feel-good chemicals during a meal. So you can imagine that losing your sense of smell (a problem doctors call anosmia) can be devastating. Many millions of people have been experiencing it as a common side effect of COVID-19. Other conditions also can lead to anosmia. […] When it occurs, you need to try to regain the sense as soon as possible. „The longer you go without it, the less likely you are to recover it,” says Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, an ear, nose, and throat specialist (otolaryngologist) at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts Eye and Ear. […] If you’ve lost your sense of smell, don’t wait around for it to come back. „We used to tell people to wait six months before they came to see us about it,” Dr. Bhattacharyya says. „But now we want you to begin smell retraining therapy as soon as possible to activate the body’s recovery process.” […] Treating an underlying condition may restore your sense of smell. And if you can smell again, you’ll be able to taste and enjoy food again, and restore your quality of life.

• #2 Anosmia (Loss of Smell) | Stanford Health Care

  https://stanfordhealthcare.org/medical-conditions/ear-nose-and-throat/anosmia-loss-of-smell.html

  Anosmia (Loss of Smell) and hyposmia (partial loss of smell) can result from many conditions, medications, and infections. […] If you notice symptoms of anosmia, it is important to seek treatment right away. Delaying treatment may result in permanent smell loss. […] Treatments may include changing medications, treating an infection (such as COVID-19), smell retraining therapy, or surgery to remove a blockage. […] Anosmia is a common symptom of COVID-19 and long COVID. Many other viral infections can also cause this condition. Usually, the sense of smell returns in a few weeks, but it can take months or even longer to return. […] Your doctor will review your medical history and ask about medications you’re taking. They will ask about your symptoms, including when they began, whether your taste is affected, and what type of symptoms you’re having, such as nasal congestion from allergies or an upper respiratory infection.

• #2 COVID-19 Smell Check — Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences

  https://agsci.psu.edu/smellcheck

  Sudden loss of the sense of smell is one of the earliest signs and best predictors of COVID-19. […] As research continues, scientists are optimistic that smell checks will become an effective public health tool that can be used to predict COVID-19 infection and mitigate its spread. […] Anosmia is the inability to smell, and can occur with viral illness or head trauma. Sudden and unexplained loss of the sense of smell has emerged as a critical diagnostic marker of COVID-19. […] As many as 75 percent of those infected with COVID report smell loss. Anosmia is one of the earliest signs and accurate predictors of COVID-19. In fact, its a better diagnostic symptom than fever and cough. […] Even if your sense of smell is working, you may not be in the clear. Also monitor yourself for all of the symptoms indicated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you exhibit symptoms or have been in contact with someone who has, self-isolate and contact University Health Services, your campus health center, or your primary care provider.

• #2 Why COVID-19 makes you lose your sense of smell and how to get it backverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverified

  https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-covid-19-makes-you-lose-your-sense-smell-and-how-get-it-back

  The virus appears to attack support cells at the back of the nose, but “smell training” may help people to recover their missing sense. […] Loss of smell is a strange and distinct feature of COVID-19, so much so that it is considered a better predictor of whether someone has been infected than other common symptoms, such as fever or coughing. Studies suggest that up to half of infected people temporarily lose their ability to perceive smells, although this may be as high as 67% in those with mild to moderate infections – possibly because they tend to be younger, and may be more sensitive to altered olfactory perception. […] The good news is that various studies have suggested that for people whose olfactory perception has been damaged after a viral infection, repeated short-term exposure to smells can help them to recover.

• #2 Interventions for the prevention of persistent smell disorders (olfactory dysfunction) after COVID-19 infection | Cochrane

  https://www.cochrane.org/CD013877/ENT_interventions-prevention-persistent-smell-disorders-olfactory-dysfunction-after-covid-19-infection

  COVID-19 has been found to cause problems with the sense of smell. […] This review considers whether there are treatments that people might take as soon as they have lost their sense of smell (within four weeks of the symptoms starting), to try and stop this becoming a long-standing problem. […] We do not know whether using a nasal corticosteroid spray or nasal drops has any benefit in preventing longer-term loss of the sense of smell that is related to COVID-19, or whether they may cause any harm. […] There is very limited evidence available on the efficacy and harms of treatments for preventing persistent olfactory dysfunction following COVID-19 infection. […] However, in a significant minority the symptoms persist. At present, it is not known whether early intervention with any form of treatment (such as medication or olfactory training) can promote recovery and prevent persisting olfactory disturbance. […] We included any intervention compared to no treatment or placebo. […] Data on the use of hypertonic saline nasal irrigation and the use of zinc sulphate to prevent persistent olfactory dysfunction are included in the full text of the review.

• #2 Olfactory training and COVID-19-related loss of smell | Perio Implant Advisory

  https://www.perioimplantadvisory.com/clinical-tips/article/14198911/olfactory-training-and-covid-19-related-loss-of-smell

  Temporary loss of smell (anosmia), partial loss of smell (hyposmia), and distorted loss of smell (parosmia) are common symptoms of COVID-19 infection. […] One method to help patients recover their sense of smell (used for those who dont recover after two to three weeks post-COVID-19 infection) is called olfactory training. This technique was developed by otolaryngologists to treat cases of smell loss due to other viral infections prior to SARS-CoV-2. […] Patients are advised to think about how the scent smells during sniffing with the intention of increasing neuroplasticity of the olfactory nerve. If smell loss persists for more than three weeks and/or the patient experiences other nasal symptoms (congestion, discharge, etc.), referral to an ENT is recommended.

• #2 Doctors Identify The Best Treatment For COVID-19 Smell Loss, And It’s Not Steroids : ScienceAlert

  https://www.sciencealert.com/experts-recommend-a-simple-way-to-recover-your-sense-of-smell-after-covid-19

  A group of olfactory experts are advising against the use of steroids to treat a lingering loss of smell caused by COVID-19. Instead, they suggest you try re-training your nose to sniff out certain scents. […] The recommendation is based on a systematic evidence-based review, which concluded corticosteroids should not be the first treatment option for smell loss due to COVID-19. […] Smell training, on the other hand, is a more evidence-based way to get your sniffer back up to snuff after a viral infection. […] „As an expert group we strongly emphasize the initial consideration of smell training,” writes the group. […] „Smell training has no known side effects and is low cost. Moreover, it is the only available treatment supported by a robust evidence base.” […] Today, we might need to implement this practice on a scale never before seen.

• #2 Covid: Smell training recommended for lost sense of smell

  https://www.bbc.com/news/health-56865129

  Researchers are calling for people struggling to regain their sense of smell after falling ill with Covid-19 to undergo „smell training” rather than being treated with steroids. […] Instead, in a paper published in the journal International Forum of Allergy Rhinology, the researchers suggest „smell training”. […] Prof Philpott said research shows that 90% of people fully recover their sense of smell after six months. […] If it doesn’t return, he says „smell training” helps to retrain the brain’s smell pathways to recognise different odours. […] „It aims to help recovery based on neuroplasticity – the brain’s ability to reorganise itself to compensate for a change or injury,” he said.

• #2 How to Regain Sense of Smell and Taste After COVID-19: Recovery and Treatment

  https://postcovidcommunity.com/how-to-regain-sense-of-smell-and-taste-after-covid/

  Many COVID-19 sufferers undergo smell training as a part of patient care to restore their sense of taste and smell. The earlier you start treating smell loss, the quicker you will be able to restore regular olfactory function. […] The loss of taste and smell associated with COVID-19 can last from a couple of months to over a year, depending on the ways that the coronavirus disease affects the individual. You can also speed the process up by undergoing olfactory training. […] Smell recovery can be accelerated with frequent olfactory training, as well as other potential treatments that can improve olfactory dysfunction and treat anosmia. […] Olfactory training has proven to be an effective way to treat anosmia and olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19 patients. […] Most COVID-19 patients who experience a loss of taste and smell usually regain those senses naturally over time.

• #2 How to regain taste and smell after coronavirus

  https://www.singlecare.com/blog/news/loss-of-taste-and-smell-coronavirus/

  In addition, Dr. Mehdizadeh says there are also some medications your healthcare provider may prescribe including: Nasal steroid sprays: Flonase (fluticasone), Nasacort (triamcinolone), Nasonex (mometasone) […] According to Dr. Mehdizadeh, Other medications including Ginkgo Biloba, Zinc, Alpha Lipoic Acid, and Theophylline have been suggested, but their efficacy has not been demonstrated.

• #2 First patient in UK tests new treatment for loss of sense of smell | Medical research | The Guardian

  https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/feb/15/anosmia-smell-loss-hope-for-sufferers

  Chrissi Kelly, who says anosmia is a like a bereavement, is trialling a simple procedure that could help those who lost sense of smell during Covid or other viral infections. […] Researchers have discovered that a simple procedure can help people recover their sense of smell years after losing it to viral infections such as Covid, or even decades later. […] The only help she could find was research that suggested she could retrain her sense by inhaling known smells such as coffee and lavender. […] But the pandemic also sparked a new wave of research. […] So if PRP could help the olfactory nerve regenerate, it might relieve anosmia. […] [The evidence] is significant to a point that I feel I should be offering this to my patients, and it is a relatively minimally invasive procedure. […] PRP is used within the NHS for other things, so Im hopeful we will be able to offer it.

• #2 Loss of Smell | Parkinson’s Foundation

  https://www.parkinson.org/understanding-parkinsons/non-movement-symptoms/loss-of-smell

  Not all people with reduced sense of smell will go on to develop Parkinsons disease (PD), but most people with PD have some loss of their sense of smell. […] In fact, reduced sense of smell, called hyposmia, is often an early sign of Parkinsons. Looking back, you may realize you were losing your sense of smell several years, or even decades, before you received a Parkinsons diagnosis. […] Hyposmia is an under-recognized symptom, as it is not a common concern for doctors to ask about or for people with PD to report. Hyposmia can impact quality of life: our sense of taste is enhanced by our ability to smell, so hyposmia can lead to a reduced enjoyment of food and reduced appetite. If you or someone you know has trouble smelling foods like bananas, dill pickles or licorice, ask your doctor about Parkinsons. […] There are not any treatments for lost sense of smell. However, if reduced ability to smell is affecting your appetite and you find yourself gaining or losing weight, you may want to learn more about diet and nutrition.

• #2 Changes in smell in COVID-19 and Lyme – Daniel Cameron MD

  https://danielcameronmd.com/changes-smell-covid-lyme-disease/

  Changes in smell can be a sign of COVID-19 and Lyme disease. According to Parma and colleagues, A sudden loss of smell [and] taste is consistent with the now typical presentation of COVID-19 symptoms, it is highly probable that COVID-19 infection is the main reason of their smell and taste change. […] Patients with other illnesses, including Lyme disease, frequently report changes in smell. An impaired or heightened sense of smell has been described in patients suffering from neurological disorders, like Alzheimers and Parkinsons disease, […] autoimmune diseases, […] fibromyalgia, […] and Lyme disease. […] A decreased sense (hyposmia) or loss of smell has been described in patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia. These patients had significantly lower thresholds of smell compared to healthy controls, writes Amital et al.

• #2 Taste and Smell Changes | Managing Cancer-related Side Effects | American Cancer Society

  https://www.cancer.org/cancer/managing-cancer/side-effects/eating-problems/taste-smell-changes.html

  Many people with cancer develop changes in taste and smell during or after treatment. […] Taste and smell changes can make it harder to eat and can lead to weight loss without trying. Not getting enough to eat and drink can make it harder for your body to heal and recover from your cancer treatment. […] These changes most often go away after treatment ends. But for some people, these changes in taste and smell can last a long time. […] Let your cancer care team know if: […] You notice that your taste and smell have changed […] You are having trouble eating or drinking.

• #2 Anosmia (loss of smell) | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anosmia-loss-of-smell

  Anosmia is the medical term for the loss of smell. […] Loss of smell can be caused by many things, such as injury and COVID-19. […] Can anosmia be prevented? […] You can protect your sense of smell by: avoiding certain chemicals, avoiding certain drugs, not smoking. […] If you are taking any medicines, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about the risk of anosmia. […] If you do have anosmia, you can make your home safer by: reading food expiry dates carefully, making sure your smoke alarms are working, checking that cookers, barbecues and electrical appliances are turned off properly.

• #2 Lost your sense of taste or smell? 8 tips for eating well | MD Anderson Cancer Center

  https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/lost-your-sense-of-taste-or-smell-due-to-covid-19-or-cancer-treatment–8-tips-for-eating-well.h00-159458478.html

  Its rare for people to completely lose their sense of taste or smell. But noticeable and usually temporary changes to these senses are both a common side effect of some types of cancer treatment and a tell-tale sign of a COVID-19 infection. […] When youre having trouble perceiving flavor, even your favorite foods can taste different from one day to the next. So, its important to persist and adapt as your palate changes. […] Finding things that will work for you takes trial and error, adds Hwang. And its an ongoing process. […] Even if you cant taste chocolate right now, try again in a couple of weeks, she says. It takes people different amounts of time to recover those senses. And things could change later on. So, keep trying.

• #2 Why your sense of smell is important to your health | UCLA Health

  https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/why-your-sense-of-smell-is-important-to-your-health

  A loss of smell can affect how you live and how you feel. […] People with anosmia may feel disconnected, indifferent, anxious or depressed. […] A loss of smell also throws off your sense of taste. […] Without the element of smell, your food may taste off, causing you to lose interest in eating, reduce your appetite or affect your eating habits. […] A loss of smell can leave you vulnerable to dangerous events such as fires and gas leaks. […] If you notice a diminished smell or a change in how your food tastes, make an appointment with your primary care provider, who can perform a scratch and sniff smell identification test to evaluate your symptoms. […] A proper diagnosis is vital to managing or treating the underlying cause of your loss of smell. […] If you’ve lost your sense of smell temporarily, things may smell different when the sense returns.

• #2 I Lost My Sense of Smell: Do I Have COVID-19? | Rush

  https://www.rush.edu/news/i-lost-my-sense-smell-do-i-have-covid-19

  Tajudeen and the team at the Rush Smell Loss Program have a variety of treatments for those with progressive smell loss including a therapy to help people retrain their smelling nerves. […] For COVID-19 patients, Tajudeen suggests seeing a specialist if your smell loss symptoms persist for longer than a month. […] While smell loss can be scary, the good news is that help is available to restore your sense of smell if it doesnt come back on its own.

• #2 Smell for Life – Monell Chemical Senses Center

  https://monell.org/smellandtasteforlife/

  While smell and taste are too often taken for granted, early in the Covid-19 pandemic the world discovered that our olfactory system is essential. The virus caused smell loss and disorders in as many as 80% of those infected. […] Our response to the changing human sensory condition during the pandemic has been to rededicate ourselves to our mission of understanding, treating, and preventing smell and taste loss, as well as to reorient our approaches to better include the health-related scope of a long pandemic and its impact on human lives. […] Monell is bringing 55-plus years of scientific leadership to create a multidisciplinary research program to discover why smell loss occurs – and to prevent or cure it. […] The need for diagnostic smell testing was articulated in a study from the lab of Danielle Reed and published in Chemical Senses.

• #2 Restoring Your Sense of Smell & Taste After COVID-19

  https://rhealthc.com/coronavirus/restoring-smell-and-taste-after-covid-19/

  If you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste to COVID-19, you can wait for several weeks to months for it to return, and hopefully, it will. To ensure your recovery and accelerate it, we encourage you to visit a functional medicine practice near you for a full workup to identify and address the underlying causes. […] If your lost sense of smell or taste isn’t related to COVID-19, we encourage you to have it checked out by a qualified medical professional — it could be an early warning sign of a serious condition. The sooner you address the underlying issues, the better the outcome.

• #3 Impaired Smell: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

  https://www.healthline.com/health/smell-impaired

  Impaired smell is the inability to smell properly. It can describe a complete inability to smell, or the partial inability to smell. […] Loss of smell can occur due to problems in the nose, brain, or nervous system. […] Theres no sure way to prevent the loss of smell. You can minimize the risk of contracting colds or bacterial infections by taking the following steps: Wash your hands frequently throughout the day. Wash your hands after touching public areas. When possible, avoid people who have colds or the flu. […] Be familiar with the possible side effects of all of your prescription medications. Side effects printed in the leaflet material may include impaired smell.

• #3 Lost or changed sense of smell | nidirect

  https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/conditions/lost-or-changed-sense-smell

  A change in your sense of smell can be unpleasant and affect how things taste. But it isn’t usually serious and may get better in a few weeks or months. See your GP if your sense of smell doesn’t go back to normal in a few weeks. […] Rinsing the inside of your nose with a salt water solution may help if your sense of smell is affected by an infection or allergy. […] You should see your GP if your sense of smell doesn’t go back to normal in a few weeks. […] Treating the cause might help. For example, steroid nasal sprays or drops might help if you have sinusitis or nasal polyps. […] If you’ve lost your sense of smell, you may not be able to smell things like gas leaks, fires and food that has gone off.

• #3 Long COVID: Loss of smell or taste | Long-term effects of COVID-19

  https://www.nhsinform.scot/long-term-effects-of-covid-19-long-covid/signs-and-symptoms/long-covid-loss-of-smell-or-taste/

  After having coronavirus (COVID-19), you may still have a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste. It can take time for your sense of smell or taste to recover. […] For a very small number of people, your change of sense of smell or taste may be more long-term. […] Smell training means regularly smelling different things to relearn them. It can help some people get their sense of smell back. […] The earlier you start smell training, the more it may be able to help. […] Losing smell may have practical safety concerns for example gas, smoke, out of date food and poor ventilation. If you dont have a sense of smell, its important to be aware of these.

• #3 Covid Stole Your Sense of Smell? Try Physical Therapy for Your Nose. – The New York Times

  https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/26/well/live/covid-anosmia-smell-training.html

  Though it’s unclear how many patients did the training, nearly one-quarter were still experiencing smell dysfunction 60 days after the onset of their symptoms. […] Several studies, however, have demonstrated that smell training can help people who have lost some or all of their senses of smell to other viral illnesses like sinus infections — that’s why it is widely considered the best option for those who can no longer smell properly after contracting Covid. […] Before you begin, however, it is wise to rule out other conditions that could be affecting your sense of smell. […] Generally, doctors advise their patients to do smell training twice a day for three months. […] “Keep on training for a year if you have to,” said Dr. Thomas Hummel, a researcher at the Smell and Taste Clinic of the otorhinolaryngology department at the Technical University of Dresden in Germany, whose work has informed the odor training methods now used around the world.

• #3 How to Regain Your Sense of Smell & Taste After Head Injury

  https://www.cognitivefxusa.com/blog/how-to-regain-sense-of-smell-after-head-injury

  Doctors commonly tell patients that if they don’t get better within 6-12 months after the injury, then their sense of smell isn’t going to come back, and there is nothing that can be done. This assessment is not always accurate. […] While the prognosis of recovery from olfactory loss is admittedly poor, with the right treatment, it is possible for some patients. […] Studies show that smell training (also called olfactory training) can help about one-third of patients. […] But smell training may only be one aspect of recovery. […] We don’t target loss of smell and taste specifically, but if patients feel that their sense of smell and taste is improving during their treatment with us, our therapists can suggest exercises similar to smell training to support further improvements. […] Improvements in sense of smell may be associated with improvements in other symptoms.

• #3

  https://pccarx.com/Blog/post-covid-loss-of-smell-3-possible-treatment-options

  Another possible treatment option is intranasal vitamin A. […] A third possible treatment option is theophylline. […] The literature gives three options as possible therapies for patients experiencing post-COVID hyposmia or anosmia: olfactory training, intranasal vitamin A or intranasal theophylline.

• #3 Long Covid patients who lost sense of smell can be helped with surgery | UCL News – UCL – University College London

  https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/mar/long-covid-patients-who-lost-sense-smell-can-be-helped-surgery

  A surgical operation normally carried out to correct a blocked nasal passage may help patients who lost their sense of smell after contracting a Covid-19 infection, according to new research by UCL and UCLH researchers. […] They have now found it could be an option for long Covid patients with an impaired sense of smell (persistent olfactory dysfunction of more than two years) if existing treatments such as smell training and oral/topical corticosteroids fail. […] Professor Andrews said: We found promising results suggesting that nasal surgery which increases the olfactory nasal airflow could reactivate sense of smell recovery for people with persistent long Covid. […] Results of the study, published in the journal Facial Plastic Surgery, showed a significant benefit in terms of increased nasal airflow and improved sense of smell in the group of patients who had fSRP.

• #3 Changes In Your Sense Of Smell | Nasal And Paranasal Sinus Cancer

  https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/nasal-sinus-cancer/living-with/changes-sense-of-smell

  Nasal and paranasal sinus cancer and its treatment can affect your sense of smell. But there are things you can do to help you cope. […] Some types of surgery and radiotherapy to treat nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers damage the olfactory nerve cells. This can affect the sense of smell. […] If cancer or its treatment changes how well you can smell, it can be more difficult to cope with than many people expect. […] Smell retraining can be possible if the organs that detect smells (the olfactory bulbs) have not been surgically removed. Ask your doctor if this would be helpful for your situation. […] If you have lost your sense of smell it is important to be very safety conscious, especially when using ovens and fires.

• #3 Loss of Smell or Taste After Traumatic Brain Injury | MSKTC

  https://msktc.org/tbi/factsheets/loss-smell-or-taste-after-traumatic-brain-injury

  Your senses of smell and taste are important for many aspects of your life. […] Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can cause problems with smell and taste. […] Loss of smell is often the cause of loss of taste after TBI. […] Talk to your doctor about changes in your smell and/or taste. […] Loss of appetite or loss of enjoyment or interest in food can make you eat too little, which may result in not getting important vitamins and nutrients that the body needs, and/or lead to unsafe weight loss. […] Not feeling satisfied by food can cause you to eat too much because you are constantly searching for something to satisfy the lack of taste; this can lead to unsafe weight gain and/or other health problems. […] Some may use too much salt in attempt to add flavor, which can contribute to health problems, such as high blood pressure.

• #3 Why your sense of smell is important to your health | UCLA Health

  https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/why-your-sense-of-smell-is-important-to-your-health

  A loss of smell can affect how you live and how you feel. […] People with anosmia may feel disconnected, indifferent, anxious or depressed. […] A loss of smell also throws off your sense of taste. […] Without the element of smell, your food may taste off, causing you to lose interest in eating, reduce your appetite or affect your eating habits. […] A loss of smell can leave you vulnerable to dangerous events such as fires and gas leaks. […] If you notice a diminished smell or a change in how your food tastes, make an appointment with your primary care provider, who can perform a scratch and sniff smell identification test to evaluate your symptoms. […] A proper diagnosis is vital to managing or treating the underlying cause of your loss of smell. […] If you’ve lost your sense of smell temporarily, things may smell different when the sense returns.

• #3 Smell (Olfactory) Disorders—Anosmia, Phantosmia & Others | NIDCD

  https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders

  People who have a smell disorder either have a decrease in their ability to smell or changes in the way they perceive odors. […] Smell disorders have many causes, with some more obvious than others. Most people who develop a smell disorder have experienced a recent illness or injury. […] Diagnosis by a doctor is important to identify and treat the underlying cause of a potential smell disorder. […] If your smell disorder can’t be successfully treated, you might want to seek counseling to help you adjust. […] A smell disorder can be an early sign of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. It can also be related to other medical conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and malnutrition. If you are experiencing a smell disorder, talk with your doctor. […] NIDCD supports basic and clinical research of smell and taste disorders at its laboratories in Bethesda, Maryland, and at universities and chemosensory research centers across the country. These chemosensory scientists are exploring how to prevent the effects of aging on smell and taste.

• #3 How we lose our sense of smell, and how it’s treated

  https://stanmed.stanford.edu/sense-smell-health/

  The loss has brought her to some dark places, said Colon, a school psychologist in Reno, Nevada. The pandemic had already taken away the comfort of touch; the loss of yet another sensory pleasure was hard to bear. According to one study, 40% to 76% of patients with smell loss also have depression. The more significant the smell impairment, the more severe the depression. […] After searching for and trying all manner of treatments — from supplements to an injection of anesthetics to nerves in her neck — Colon found Patel’s clinical trial. Within days after each PRP injection, Colon noticed improvement. […] For smell loss to be a truly useful biomarker, however, we first need a better way to test for smell. […] Patel thinks there should be. With the help of a Stanford Biodesign Faculty Fellowship, she is developing a device that could measure and record the activity of olfactory neurons. The handheld instrument with a malleable probe would be inserted (with local anesthesia) into the nose to reach the olfactory epithelium. The measured electrical activity indicates the severity of smell loss.

• #4 Anosmia (loss of smell) | healthdirect

  https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/anosmia-loss-of-smell

  Anosmia is the medical term for the loss of smell. […] Loss of smell can be caused by many things, such as injury and COVID-19. […] Can anosmia be prevented? […] You can protect your sense of smell by: avoiding certain chemicals, avoiding certain drugs, not smoking. […] If you are taking any medicines, you can ask your doctor or pharmacist about the risk of anosmia. […] If you do have anosmia, you can make your home safer by: reading food expiry dates carefully, making sure your smoke alarms are working, checking that cookers, barbecues and electrical appliances are turned off properly.

• #4 Why COVID-19 makes you lose your sense of smell and how to get it backverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverifiedverified

  https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/why-covid-19-makes-you-lose-your-sense-smell-and-how-get-it-back

  The good news is that various studies have suggested that for people whose olfactory perception has been damaged after a viral infection, repeated short-term exposure to smells can help them to recover. Smell loss charities recommend picking four scents that you enjoy or have a connection with, and actively sniffing them twice a day, spending around 20 seconds on each scent. Ideally, you should try and pick scents which represent the four categories of flowery, fruity, spicy and resinous – and you could either use essential oils or the actual substance they derive from. […] It’s not an immediate fix, but over time this should help you to recover your lost sense of smell.

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