Have you ever found it difficult to perceive an odor when those around you are complimenting the nice odor and the bad odor? This condition deprives you of those amazing aroma dish and obviously, on the other hand, prevent you from some bad odors. Generally, it is said and known that until you lose something, you can’t really value it. Yeah. This situation is medically called Anosmia. Anosmia simply means the absence or loss of smell. Let me put it straight as a once-upon-a-time victim. It is such an uncomfortable situation. It affects your body coordination and also reduces your food intake. It reduces your ability to taste which doesn’t sound good.

Anosmia can be caused by different factors. It could be from external factors or from your lifestyle. Fortunately, this article will educate you on what it really means, the risk factors and causes, treatments. Also, other nasal conditions will be briefly talked about.

The Nose

The nose is a complex organ that determines your sensation to smell. It lies between your eyes. It is a bony and cartilaginous structure. It is primarily the sense organ for smelling, but it is related to your tasting ability. It is the pathway into your respiratory tract. That is, it provides air for the respiratory system. It contains some other peripheral structures, which are referred to as an olfactory organs. The partition of the nose is filled with hair, which is literally called ‘cilia.’ These cilia are very sensitive because they are connected to the olfactory neurons, which send information to your brain. The nose plays a vital role in your body system. From the olfactory organs, it filters the air, keeps it warm, and moisturizes the air. Your nose is separated by the septum, which makes it a two-cavity prominent organ.

What is Anosmia?

As stated earlier, Anosmia simply means the complete or partial loss of smell. This medical condition can be permanent or temporary. Anosmia is temporary when it is caused by blockage, but it is considered permanent when the olfactory neurons are dead, or there is a brain injury. It is also called smell blindness due to some scientific reasons. Loss of smell can be caused by different factors. It could be an allergic reaction or a cold infection. The mucus membrane in your nose gets blocked or inflamed from infections. Anosmia is linked with other medical conditions like malnutrition. Malnutrition, in the sense that you end up eating a portion of disgusting food. You have to stay sensitive to your smelling ability.

Causes of Anosmia

There are many causes that are associated with Anosmia. It could be an external factor or your lifestyle. They include:

• Exposure to an industrial chemical remnant. Pollutants and acids might cause an attack on the mucus lining membrane in your nasal cavity. Chemicals like heavy metal, organic compounds, or inorganic compounds.
• When your endocrine glands get affected, the secretion of hormones gets affected, thereby giving rise to medical conditions like diabetes and Cushing’s syndrome. It affects the ability to smell.
• Drugs are also a cause of Anosmia: stimulants and depressants (morphine and cocaine). Also, antibiotic drugs can affect your nasal cavity in some conditions.
• Experiences can also prompt you to develop trauma. Strong hitting of the head against a hard object or injuries of the nose can result in Anosmia. Simply put as trauma.
• There are some general diseases associated with Anosmia. They include Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, migraine, Korsakoff syndrome, cancer, brain aneurysm, Parkinson’s disease, tumor, bronchial asthma, nose polyps, and cystic fibrosis.
• Speaking of its genetic causes. Some individuals are born with it. It might be as a result of Anosmia in their family history, either from the mother’s or the father’s linage. Anosmia from birth is called congenital Anosmia.
• Also, it can be a result of the neurological symptoms of COVID- 19.

These causes are not noticeable in their initial stage. It is until they pose a threat to your smelling ability after occurring frequently. While some causes initiate the threat immediately, they occur.

Signs and Symptoms of Anosmia

Anosmia can make your living difficult, but you can still keep your calmness because it has a treatment. The loss of smell can originate from causes. Anosmia caused by allergy, cold, or blockage of the cavity will eventually wade off in a few days’ time. Temporary Anosmia gives lenient symptoms, while permanent Anosmia can be life-threatening.

Generally, the first signs and symptoms that develop are the loss of appetite. Losing your appetite is associated with different medical conditions. Your body gets its needed nutrients from food. Loss of appetite will eventually lead to malnutrition. Also, malnutrition develops into weight loss. In addition, loss of smell reduces your libido level. That is, you can eventually become sexually inactive.

Diagnose of Anosmia

Diagnosing Anosmia is a very difficult measure that will require your doctor to perform a thorough and accurate test on you. There are various methods doctors use. Several tests must be carried out. This test includes:

• CT scans- this requires the use of X-rays to capture an accurate visual image of your brain. It helps doctors to determine the cause of your Anosmia, whether it is neurological.
• MRI scans- radio waves and magnets are used for MRI scans. It also gives the visuals of your brain.
• The X-rays of the skull
• Nasal endoscopy gives a detailed look inside your nose.

Moreover, the acetylcysteine test would be used by your doctor. The doctor will ask you some questions. For instance, the cause of your Anosmia, when it started, or some types of odor or taste you can possibly identify more like a psychophysical assessment. The nervous system would be examined as well in order to determine if the condition was from cranial nerve damage.

The most effective method that has really been helpful after various years of difficult and inaccurate anosmia tests is the “smell testing kit.”

Your health history also has an effect. If it’s a congenital Anosmia. The doctor gets eased off the task if he/she is provided with a detailed health history. Anosmia is curable.

Treatment of Anosmia

The treatment of Anosmia is dependent on the causes. Before any medication can be administered, your doctor must be informed of the causes of the diagnostic test.

Congenital Anosmia has no treatment; likewise, Anosmia is caused by brain damage. The primary conditions associated with Anosmia must be treated before further treatment. Cases like removal of nasal blockage, straightening of the septum, but if the supposed cause (allergy and cold) persist after a few days, then efficient treatment is needed. These treatments include:

• Decongestant
• Antihistamines
• Steroid nasal sprays
• Antibiotics
• Reduced exposure to nasal irritation
• Avoidance of smoking
• Surgery for nasal tumor, nasal polyps, and nasal deformities
• Glucocorticoids for inflammation in the nasal mucosa. However, nasal polyps can be treated with steroids.

Apart from Anosmia, there are other nasal diseases that can hinder your smelling ability. So, here’s a list of the common type of nose conditions that might interrupt your smelling sensation.

Sinusitis

As the name implies, it is an infection or inflammatory attack on your sinuses. It attacks the air-filled cavity, thereby resulting in difficult breathing. Fortunately, it can be easily diagnosed by an X-ray or CT scan. For signs and symptoms that haven’t developed into their worse state, medications can be used: antihistamines, nasal steroid sprays, antibiotics, and decongestants. While the critical stage can be corrected by a specified surgery called endoscopic sinus surgery.

Nasal Polyps

This is also a very common nose infection. It is an outgrowth on the lining of your nasal cavity, soft and non-cancerous. Nasal polyps cause unbearable signs and symptoms only when it has grown large. It causes difficulty in breathing, frequent nasal infections. For its treatment, medications can be used alongside surgery depending on the threshold of the infection.

Deviated Septum

When the wall that divides your nasal cavity slightly shift from the center-line, it is clearly referred to as a deviated septum. It occurs to 83% of the population. It often causes an irregular nose shape, difficulty in breathing, nasal congestion, frequent sinus infections, facial pain, headaches, and frequent nose bleeding. However, a deviated septum should be straightened.

In conclusion, treatment can only make you get better. Your nose has a big role in your body system coordination, likewise what you perceive. Be mindful of what you inhale and what to put into your nose. Your health is your greatest asset. Value it now. Stay healthy, stay safe.