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.

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