Anosmia is condition when the sense of smelldoes not work with normal. Most cases of anosmia light and temporary, but some of them could be a sign of a serious problem on health.
A clear sign of anosmia is a loss of smell. When you smell an odor, the olfactory nerve cells receive and send signals to the brain. Then, the brain will identify and recognize the smell.
The work of the sense of smell of anosmia sufferers cannot function properly, so that the patient's ability to smell odors decreases (partial anosmia) or disappears altogether (total anosmia). As a result, people with anosmia are also unable to fully taste food and lose their appetite.
Besides being able to cause weight loss and malnutrition, anosmia can also cause depression because the sufferer cannot feel the pleasure that other people usually get when eating delicious food.
Various Causes of Anosmia
Nasal congestion due to colds, allergies, sinus infections, or poor air quality are the most common causes of anosmia. In this case, the anosmia is only temporary and will resolve on its own.
In addition, anosmia can also occur due to something blocking the entry of air into the nose, such as nasal polyps, tumors, or it could be due to bone abnormalities in the nose.
Anosmia can also occur due to damage to the brain or olfactory nerves. In this case, the receptors in the nose that function to receive and send odor signals to the brain do not work properly or the brain that receives odor signals from the nose cannot process information properly.
There are many conditions that can cause this damage, including:
- aging process
- Injury to nose and brain due to surgery
- Certain medications, such as antibiotics, antidepressants, heart medications, and others
- Exposure to toxic chemicals, such as pesticides
- Radiotherapy for cancer of the head and neck
- Cocaine abuse
- Certain medical conditions, such as brain tumors, diabetes, stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis, nutritional deficiencies, and hormonal disorders
In a minority of cases, anosmia is caused by a genetic condition that makes a person born without a sense of smell. This condition is also known as congenital anosmia.
How to Overcome Anosmia
Treating anosmia depends on the cause. If the loss of smell is due to a cold, sinus infection, or allergies, these complaints will usually go away on their own within a few days. But if it doesn't heal, you should consult a doctor to get the right treatment.
In anosmia caused by nasal irritation, the doctor may prescribe medication in the form of:
- Nasal sprays containing corticosteroids
- Antihistamines
- Decongestants
- Antibiotics, if there is a bacterial infection
In addition, your doctor may also suggest reducing your exposure to nasal irritants and allergens, and quitting smoking.
In more serious cases, such as nasal polyps, your doctor may suggest surgical removal of the polyps. This action is expected to restore the function of the sense of smell of anosmia sufferers.
To date, no treatment has been found for anosmia that occurs due to aging or congenital anosmia. If anosmia has affected the patient's appetite and mental health, the doctor may suggest psychotherapy support or nutritional counseling.
Although it sounds mild, anosmia is a condition that cannot be underestimated. In fact, anosmia can greatly affect a person's quality of life, even triggering depression and malnutrition.
Not infrequently, people with anosmia consume more salt or sugar to improve the taste of the food they eat. This will also increase the risk of high blood pressure and diabetes.
If you experience symptoms of anosmia, especially if you have trouble eating, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment and solution.