Anosmia is a medical condition that corresponds to the total or partial loss of smell. This loss may be related to temporary situations, such as a cold or flu, but it can also occur due to more serious or permanent changes, such as radiation exposure or tumor development, for example.
Because the smell is directly related to taste, the person who suffers from anosmia generally cannot differentiate the flavors, although he always has the perception of the sweet, salty, bitter or acidic.
Odor loss can be classified into
O diagnóstico da anosmia é feito pelo clínico geral ou pelo otorrinolaringologista por meio de exames de imagem, como a endoscopia nasal, por exemplo, para que seja identificada a causa e, assim, possa ser indicado o melhor tratamento.
In most cases, anosmia is caused by situations that promote irritation of the mucosa of the nose, meaning that odors cannot pass or be interpreted. The most common causes include:
In addition, there are other less common situations that can also lead to nasal congestion anotomy, such as nasal polyps, nasal deformities, or tumor development. Some diseases that affect nerves or the brain can also cause changes in smell, such as Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, or brain tumors.
Thus, whenever odor loss appears for no apparent reason, it is very important to consult an otolaryngologist, to understand what may be the possible cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
According to several reports of people who have been infected with the new coronavirus, loss of smell appears to be a relatively common symptom and may persist for a few weeks, even after the other symptoms have disappeared.
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Diagnosis is usually made by an otolaryngologist and begins with an evaluation of the person’s symptoms and clinical history, to understand if there is a condition that may cause irritation of the nasal mucosa.
Depending on this evaluation, your doctor may also order additional tests, such as a nasal endoscopy or MRI, for example.
Treatment of anosmia varies greatly depending on the cause at source. In the most common cases of anosmia caused by colds, flu or allergies, rest, hydration and use of antihistamines, nasal decongestants or corticosteroids are generally recommended to decrease symptoms.
When a respiratory tract infection is identified, your doctor may also prescribe the use of an antibiotic, but only if it is caused by bacteria.
In more serious situations, where there may be some form of blockage of the nose or when anosmia is caused by changes in the nerves or brain, the doctor may refer the person to another specialty, such as neurology, to treat the cause of the disease. more appropriately.