Loss or weakness of the sense of smell: causes and treatments
The sense of smell is very important, and we often do not pay attention to its importance except when its strength weakens or when we lose it permanently or temporarily, so what are the reasons for losing the sense of smell?
Many factors can cause a loss or impairment of the sense of smell. What are the most important causes of a loss or impairment of the sense of smell? What are the things you need to know about this annoying situation? Here are the details:
Causes of loss or weakness of the sense of smell
Various factors may cause obstruction or swelling of the airways, causing temporary or permanent loss of the sense of smell, the most important of which are:
1. Damage to the nerves or brain
The nose contains sensory and nerve receptors that constantly send information to the brain, but if these receptors are damaged, this may cause a loss or weakness of the sense of smell, which may be caused by one of the following things and diseases:
- normal aging
- Brain tumors.
- Diabetes.
- Schizophrenia.
- Hormone problems, especially thyroid problems.
- Head injury or stroke.
- Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or epilepsy.
- Multiple sclerosis.
- Take blood pressure medications.
- Exposure to chemicals that can burn the airways from the inside.
2. Birth defects
Only in rare cases, birth defects in the respiratory system of the fetus may cause it to be born with a defective sense of smell.
3. Airway obstruction
A person may suffer from a loss of sense of smell due to obstruction in the airways caused by health problems such as tumors, problems in the bones of the nose, and nasal polyps.
4. Irritation of the mucous membranes in the nose
Loss of sense of smell may occur as a result of irritation in the mucous membranes of the nose, which may result from one of the following conditions: common cold, smoking, influenza, and allergies.
These causes often cause a temporary loss of the sense of smell.
5. Other reasons
Other things and factors may also cause a temporary or permanent loss of the sense of smell, including:
- Malnutrition.
- alcoholism
- Deficiency of some vitamins.
- Dental problems or oral and dental surgery.
- Use of some types of medications such as antidepressants, and antibiotics ( antioxidants ).
Treatment of loss or weakness of the sense of smell
The treatment of loss of sense of smell depends on the main cause that led to suffering from it, for example, the following:
- If the cause is something like a cold, traditional cold treatment helps restore your sense of smell within a few days.
- If the cause is an allergy, then the usual allergy medications, such as antihistamines, are used.
- If the loss of smell is caused by a congenital defect, then the loss of smell cannot be cured.
Loss of smell in the elderly is often a permanent condition that can then be difficult to treat.
doctor review
If the following circumstances and matters are present, then you should consult a doctor immediately so that your condition does not worsen:
- If the loss of sense of smell occurs suddenly and without any obvious reasons.
- If the loss of sense of smell continues even with the removal of the cause, such as a cold.
- If the loss of smell is accompanied by other neurological symptoms, such as dizziness and lightheadedness.