If a person has become less aware of smells, talk about such a disorder as hyposmia. The total loss of smell is called anosmia - this is not a very common, but very unpleasant condition, which can result in a number of factors.
Causes of loss of smell
Distinguish anosmia inherent and acquired. In the first case, the cause of the disorder is the congenital maldevelopment of the respiratory tract, which is usually accompanied by abnormalities in the development of the skull and nose.
The acquired loss of smell can be provoked:
- rhinitis, sinusitis, cold;
- allergy;
- curvature of the nasal septum;
- a polyp in the nose;
- inhalation of toxic substances (in particular - methacrylate, cadmium, lead, acrylate);
- smoking;
- violation of the secretion of the nasal mucosa.
Most often, loss of smell is recorded with a cold caused by a viral infection, but the resulting brain injury can lead to anosmia, in particular:
- bruise when falling on the back of the head, causing the destruction of the olfactory ways;
- trauma of the frontal lobe of the brain;
- fracture of the trellis, leading to rupture of the olfactory filaments.
The neurological cause of anosmia can be a brain tumor or poisoning with chemicals, and the loss of smell in this case is usually accompanied by a loss of taste.
Other reasons
Anosmia can not be ignored, since it can be a symptom of a serious illness, for example:
- Alzheimer's :
- Parkinson's disease;
- dementia with Levy bodies;
- brain tumors.
Therefore it is important to visit the otolaryngologist immediately, noticing the loss of smell in his body - it is the doctor who should determine the true reasons and prescribe the treatment.
By the way, often the scent disappears after taking antibiotics or digging in the nose during the treatment of a cold. In addition, anosmia is normal for people of senile age.
Treatment of loss of smell
Treatment of anosmia is aimed at eliminating the cause that caused it. The loss of a nose due to trauma is almost 100% irreversible. If anosmia is caused by damage to the central nervous system due to a tumor
If there is a polyp in the nose, its surgical removal is indicated.
Loss of smell in the rhinitis allows treatment with folk remedies, including inhalations with essential oils of lemon, mint, lavender, fir, rosemary, basil, eucalyptus. It helps with a cold catch the inhalation of essential oils of fresh onions, and with the loss of smell due to chronic rhinitis and sinusitis, it will help to wash the nose with salt water using the "cuckoo" method.