How Can We Help?
Anosmia
Overview
Anosmia is the temporary or permanent complete loss of ability to perceive odour. Temporary anosmia is most commonly a result of infection or nasal blockage. Permanent loss of smell may be due to olfactory nerve damage or a brain injury. A person may have a loss of smell for one particular scent, known as specific anosmia. If an assessor is noticed to detect odours during analysis but is not detecting a specific odour this may be due to specific anosmia.
Anosmia Causes
Nasal congestion from a cold, allergies, infections, or even poor air quality can trigger a loss of smell. Other causes include:
- Polyps, small growths (not cancer-related) in the sinus blocking the nasal passage.
- Some form of injury to the nose or a form of head trauma triggering it.
- Exposure to VOCs or other harmful chemicals
- Nasal-based drug use.
- Old age. One’s sense of smell is strongest between the ages of 30 and 60, however, it begins to decline after age 60.
- Certain medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, Vitamin deficiencies, congenital conditions, and hormonal disturbances.
- Radiation treatment of head and neck cancers.
If you would like to discuss this article or a related article further, please don’t hesitate to contact us by clicking here.