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Causes and Prevention
Problems with smell happen for many reasons, some clearer than
others. Loss of smell may be permanent or temporary, depending
on the cause.
As with vision and hearing, people gradually lose their
ability to smell as they get older. Smell that declines with
age is called presbyosmia and is not preventable.
Age is only one of the many reasons that problems with smell
can occur. Some people are born with a poor sense of smell,
but this is not the case for most people.
Most people who develop a problem with smell have recently had
an illness or injury. The most common causes are the common
cold and chronic nasal or sinus disease.
Other common causes of smell disorders are
Swollen sinuses and nasal passages often result in problems
with smell. These conditions may cause total or partial loss
of smell. The problem usually diminishes or goes away when the
underlying medical condition clears up.
You can help prevent problems with smell caused by respiratory
infections and colds by washing your hands frequently,
especially during the winter months. Hand washing helps
protect you from getting respiratory infections and colds.
If your smell disorder is caused by allergies, you should
avoid allergens, like ragweed, grasses, and pet dander. Also,
get a flu shot every year to prevent influenza and other
serious respiratory conditions that can result from the flu.
Loss of smell can be caused by nasal polyps, which are small,
non-cancerous growths in the nose or sinuses that can block
the ability of aromas to reach nerve cells high up in the
nose. Removing the polyps may restore smell. In rare cases,
benign non-malignant tumors grow on the nerves of smell,
causing a loss of smell.
Previous surgery or trauma to the head can upset your sense of
smell because the nerves that are involved in smell may be
cut, blocked, or damaged by scar tissue. Automobile accidents
are among the most frequent causes of trauma to the head.
Everyone should wear a seat belt, and those who participate in
sports, such as bicycling, should wear protective helmets.
People with head and neck cancers who receive radiation
treatment to the nasal regions are among those who experience
problems with their sense of smell. Older people who have lost
their larynx or voice box commonly complain of poor ability to
smell and taste.
Tobacco smoking is the most concentrated form of pollution
that most people are exposed to. It impairs the ability to
identify odors. Quitting smoking is one thing you can do right
now to prevent loss of smell and improve your sense of smell.
Sometimes exposure to certain chemicals, such as insecticides
and solvents, and some chemicals found in the workplace can
decrease the sense of smell. Avoid contact with these
substances, or if you do come in contact with them, see your
doctor.
If you are taking certain medicines, you may notice a change
in your ability to smell. Certain antibiotics, some blood
pressure pills, some cholesterol-lowering drugs, and some
antifungal medications can cause problems with smell. This
occurs rarely, but it can happen.
If you are taking these medications and notice a change in
your sense of smell, talk to your doctor. You may be able to
adjust or change your medicine to one that will not cause a
problem with smell. Sometimes it is difficult to determine if
the cause of the smell disorder is the medication or the
underlying condition.
Other less common causes of smell disorders are thyroid
abnormalities and vitamin deficiencies. Malnutrition and
diabetes also can be linked to smell disorders. If you have
any of these conditions and experience a loss of smell or
taste, tell your doctor. In some cases, when the condition
that is causing the problem with smell is treated, the sense
of smell returns.
Sometimes a problem with smell can be a sign of a more serious
health problem, such as diseases of the nervous system, like
multiple sclerosis, or, in rare cases, a brain tumor. Loss of
smell may be the first sign that something is wrong.
Check with your doctor if you've been experiencing a problem
with your sense of smell for a while. You may be able to
prevent or get early treatment for a more serious health
problem.
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