While not life-threatening, anosmia or loss of smell can impact your quality of life and overall safety in harmful ways. Conditions involving anosmia entail the complete loss of smell, leaving a person unable to taste food or smell everyday scents, such as perfume and smoke.
Affecting as much as 20 percent of the population, loss of smell may come and go or be permanent depending on the underlying cause. In cases where loss of smell is permanent, treating the underlying cause can go a long way towards reducing symptoms.
In a nutshell, the body’s sense of smell relies on certain physical and chemical processes to function normally. Smell develops when a substance stimulates nerve cells, also known as olfactory cells, in the nose. From there, information travels from the olfactory cells to the brain for identification.
1. Acute Sinitis
As the most common cause for loss of smell, rates of acute sinitis range anywhere from 15 to 40 per 1,000 people per year. Sinitis typically develops in cases where the nasal cavities become infected. Generally speaking, a sinus infection must last last longer than seven days, but less than four months in order for acute sinitis to be present.
In most cases, acute sinitis only dulls your sense of smell, but anosmia can develop in a small amount of cases. In cases where total loss of smell does develop, permanent damage may result.
People who smoke face an ongoing risk of developing sinus infection-related anosmia. Viral infections and head trauma injuries also come with a risk. These situations increase the likelihood of sinus inflammation and/or sinus blockages.
Considering how common acute sinitis is, it can be easy to dismiss a sinus infection as harmless and let it run its course. If you’re still experiencing symptoms after four weeks, it may be time to consider getting medical treatment.
2. Common Cold
The common cold is so named because of how often it occurs. American adults experience from two to four colds a year while children may experience six to 10 colds each year. More often than not, the common cold takes the form of an upper respiratory infection that seldom leads to serious health problems, but symptoms of anosmia may well develop.
Inflammation within the nasal linings causes obstructions that prevent olfactory processes from working normally. These conditions block air flow, preventing smell receptors from transmitting information to the brain. It’s not uncommon for loss of taste to occur as well.
As many as 200 different viruses cause the common cold, with variations of the rhinovirus being the most common. Cold remedies, such as rest, staying hydrated and over-the-counter decongestants may help relieve symptoms of anosmia.
3. Hay Fever
Hay fever, a seasonal form of allergic rhinitis, affects approximately eight percent of Americans each year. For people affected by hay fever, symptoms develop as plant, tree and grass pollens aggravate the body’s immune system response.
Normally, the nose works to warm and moisten incoming air flow. It also traps small particles and keeps them from reaching the lungs. When pollen particles get trapped, this sets off the allergic reaction that causes hay fever symptoms, such as sneezing, congestion, nasal drainage and nasal itchiness.
Not surprising, anosmia can develop as hay fever symptoms worsen. Treatment remedies commonly used include antihistamine and decongestant medications.
4. Flu
Signs of anosmia can develop during the flu as well as after a bout of the flu has passed. While your sense of smell will return eventually, some people may not regain smell until months after the flue passes.
The flu, also known as influenza, develops when a virus invades the body. Viral organisms travel from the point of entry through the bloodstream, which allows them to invade the body’s tissues. This process accounts for why suffers experience aches and pains throughout the body as well as digestive and respiratory problems.
Even after flu symptoms stop, viral particles still reside in the nasal cavities, inhibiting your sense of smell. Under these conditions, symptoms of anosmia will subside once the infected cells that make up the nasal cavities die off so healthy cells can grow back.
5. Nonallergenic Rhinitis
Nonallergenic rhinitis can also bring on signs of anosmia due to the inflammation that develops along the membranes that line the nasal passages. A runny nose coupled with nasal congestion are the main symptoms that come with this condition.
Nonallergenic rhinitis takes three different forms: acute, chronic and atrophic. Whereas the acute form comes and goes, a growing viral infection turns acute nonallergic rhinitis into a chronic, long-term condition. Atrophic rhinitis entails a thinning and hardening of nasal membranes, which makes you more prone to developing infection.
With all three forms, a loss of smell is likely. Treating nonallergenic symptoms should help alleviate anosmia.
6. Loss of Smell
As the number one symptom of anosmia, people who’ve lost the ability to smell altogether may be dealing with a more serious underlying medical condition. This is especially the case when symptoms of anosmia persist for months at a time.
Causes of long-term anosmia can take different forms depending on a person’s lifestyle and overall physical health. The effects of tobacco smoking damage olfactory processes over time, which leads to loss of smell and taste. The aging process also takes a toll on the sinuses as cell health and functioning declines through the years.
7. Congestion
Last but not least, signs of congestion may well be a first sign of developing anosmia. Congestion takes shape when fluid builds up inside the tissues and blood vessels that line the nasal passages. This condition typically brings on a “stuffy” feeling along with nasal discharge.
Congested nasal passages easily interfere with the processes that allow you to smell. Congestion gets progressively worse when other problems are present. Ultimately, symptoms of anosmia usually only last for a short while. When symptoms are ongoing, it’s time to seek out professional medical help.
