How to fix olfactory dysfunction? How to treat olfactory dysfunction? Let’s find out about olfactory dysfunction diagnosis and treatment!
Table of Contents
Olfactory Dysfunction Meaning
Olfactory dysfunction definition – What is olfactory dysfunction? Olfactory dysfunction is the loss or change in the ability to smell when sniffing (orthonasal olfaction) or eating (retronasal olfaction).
Olfactory Dysfunction Causes
What causes olfactory dysfunction? Most cases of olfactory dysfunction are caused by a physical blockage of the nasal cavity, which makes it hard for air to flow through (hyposmia or anosmia). In addition, polyps, crooked septums, or tumors in the nose could be the cause.
The common cold, nasal allergies, and chronic rhinitis can cause short-term problems with your sense of smell through changes in the nasal and olfactory epithelium. About 20% of olfactory dysfunction is not known to have a cause, but it usually happens after a viral illness.
Olfactory Dysfunction Diagnosis
- Subjective loss of the ability to smell or taste.
- Lack of clear obstruction of the nose.
- Testing shows that the ability to smell is getting worse.
Olfactory Dysfunction Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of olfactory dysfunction – Hyposmia and anosmia are early signs of the COVID-19 illness caused by the new SARSCoV-2 coronavirus. These olfactory symptoms may last longer or even be permanent after this virus infection.
Central nervous system tumors, especially those in the olfactory groove or temporal lobe, can affect the ability to smell. These tumors must be considered in patients with hyposmia or other neurological signs that can’t be explained by anything else. A rare but serious cause of olfactory dysfunction is a blow to the head. The shearing of the olfactory neurites more often causes anosmia. People with various endocrine, nutritional, and nervous disorders have reported that their sense of smell or taste is gone, lessened, or changed.
Olfactory Dysfunction Treatment and Management
Treatment of olfactory dysfunction – What is the best treatment for olfactory dysfunction? Endoscopic sinus surgery may help with hyposmia caused by nasal polyps, nasal blockage, or chronic rhinosinusitis.
There isn’t a specific way to treat a primary disruption of smell, but some disturbances go away on their own. Hyposmia’s severity is the best predictor of how well it will improve, with less severe hyposmia getting better at a much higher rate.
In permanent hyposmia, counseling should be given about how to season food (like using pepper instead of table salt, which stimulates the trigeminal and olfactory chemoreceptors) and how to stay safe (such as installing home smoke alarms and using electric rather than gas appliances).
I hope you understand olfactory dysfunction diagnosis and treatment guidelines.