Loss of smell is medically known as anosmia.
This diagnosis means that due to some condition, the patient is no longer able to recognize odors, their sense of smell is suppressed.
In a large percentage of clinical cases, the cause is a cold or sinus infection, although sometimes anosmia is a sign of a more serious pathology, such as diabetes or traumatic brain injury.
Several conditions that block/clog the nose:
- Nasal polyps;
- Colds;
- Flu;
- Nasal congestion;
- Sinusitis;
- Coronavirus;
- Allergic rhinitis or other types of allergies;
- Deviated nasal septum.
Several conditions that affect the receptors:
- Alzheimer's disease;
- Brain tumor;
- Multiple sclerosis;
- High blood pressure;
- Parkinson's disease;
- Sjogren's syndrome.
Other causes include:
- Side effects of certain medications;
- Tobacco;
- Being overweight;
- Traumatic brain injury;
- Diabetes.
In rare clinical cases, people are born with anosmia, that is, their sense of smell is impaired from birth. This diagnosis means that they will never be able to perceive smells properly. Statistically, 1,000 people in the United States live with congenital anosmia.
The following risks increase due to the loss of smell:
- Food poisoning. Against the background of the loss of smell, a person is unable to taste, therefore, it will be difficult to identify expired products;
- In the event of a fire, they will not smell smoke until they see the fire, that is, they will not be bothered by the smell;
- If you lose your sense of smell, you may inhale natural gas or other harmful chemicals and not realize it.
Source:
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21859-anosmia-loss-of-sense-of-smell
