Have you lost your sense of smell as a result of Corona? This way you can receive the treatment you need

Dubai, United Arab Emirates - It has been months since your ability to taste and smell disappeared after contracting the “Covid-19” virus. After numerous attempts to book an appointment with a specialist, it becomes clear that the waiting list is long, and may extend for 6 months or more.

“There was a huge increase in patient calls after the pandemic started, and we were not able to see 10% of the patients who wanted to come to the clinic,” said Dr. Justin Turner, associate professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, USA. "Unfortunately, this is still the case, and this has left many who have not yet recovered from the loss of their sense of smell and taste struggling to get help," Dr. Zara Patel noted.

“One of the big problems we realized at the beginning of the pandemic was that almost no one, except for a few specialists, knew anything about anosmia and how to go about diagnosing it or treating it,” said Patel, a professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. To solve this problem, Patel said she brought together 50 experts to create a more than 600-page document that combines vetted scientific knowledge and medical best practices on anosmia.

“It is the first peer-reviewed summary of the sense of smell of its kind,” Patel explained, adding that the document “is available to be read not only by doctors, but also by patients, anyone.” The guidance, published in the journal International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, sets out an action plan for general practitioners on how to screen, diagnose and treat anosmia.

Visit a doctor and the clinical evaluation determines the recommended order for diagnosing loss of the sense of smell resulting from any cause, not just “Covid-19”. Patient history: The doctor should know the patient's detailed history, according to the guidelines.

This includes asking questions about the onset of loss of sense of smell, its severity, and its psychological impact, as well as possible factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, injuries, head or nose surgery, and radiation to treat cancer. Headaches, chronic sinus problems, autoimmune disorders, certain medications, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies can be associated with loss of smell, in addition to colds, influenza, and other viral diseases such as “Covid-19.”

A person's age can play a role in this as well. Smell testing: Doctors must perform a certified smell test.

However, you should know that some tests may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle differences in loss of sense of smell, which may lead the doctor to conclude that nothing is wrong. It can also go the other way around, as many people don't realize the nuances when their sense of smell is restored, according to Dr. Eric Holbrook, an associate professor of ear, nose, throat, and head and neck surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston.

“There have been research papers showing that humans have difficulty assessing gradual change in their sense of smell,” Holbrook explained. Comprehensive physical examination: A complete physical examination should be performed, including rhinoscopy and examination of the cranial nerves.

If the patient's history shows evidence of a neurological disorder or chronic sinusitis, further testing should be ordered, according to the guidelines. Possible treatments Guidelines recommend different treatments depending on the cause of loss of sense of smell.

Underlying disease: If loss of sense of smell is due to an underlying disease, such as chronic sinusitis or a neurological condition, the guidelines suggest that doctors refer the patient to a specialist and offer treatment options. Surgery and trauma: If the loss of the sense of smell is a result of cranial surgery, omega-3 fatty acids are recommended as a treatment.

If the cause is due to trauma resulting from a car accident, for example, oral zinc and topical vitamin A are treatment options. Viral infections: If the loss of smell is caused by a viral infection such as “Covid-19” or influenza, the recommended treatment is to train the sense of smell during a process in which patients smell odors twice a day for at least 6 months.

People who suffer from a loss of sense of smell can suddenly begin to smell unpleasant odors. The smell of food and drink is rotten, metallic, or pungent.

Doctors call this condition “parosmia,” and it occurs when olfactory receptors fail to deliver accurate information to the brain. People can smell unpleasant odors after suffering from a head injury, neurological conditions, or viral infection such as Covid-19.

The good news is that experts believe that this condition is a sign of recovery. The guidelines explain that training the sense of smell and using certain medications are all treatment options.

“Some people may respond to medications that we call neuromodulators, which are medications that modify the nerve signal to the brain,” Patel said.

Emotional impact Finally, the guidelines recommend that your doctor discuss the emotional impact that losing your sense of smell can have, and refer you to therapists or specialists as needed. Patel said some people cope without a sense of smell, but for others, the condition can lead to depression and malnutrition, especially if smells are distorted.