Loss Of Sense Of Smell (Post Covid)

During the times of this COVID pandemic loss of sense of smell is Covid-19 infection unless proven otherwise. It is usually accompanied by loss of taste.

The loss of smell or taste is among the most common and persistent complaintin symptomatic patients with coronavirus disease. Majority of the patients reported a complete resolution or improvement of these symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks.

However, some patients have not been able to regain their senses after several weeks of overcoming the disease!

 

Studies haven’t determined how long it can last, but agree that it could be a long time. The uncertainty of not understanding when they will smell and feel again has led people to cope with a loss that few expected to suffer. Some even seek olfaction specialists, which until now was a relatively limited field.

Loss of sense of smell

The most distinctive sign of a COVID-19 infection

 

Various affected people describe what they felt when they could not distinguish between sweet, bitter, sour, or salty. Coffee tastes like petrol, and if you can’t smell it, you don’t enjoy a meal.

 

People with COVID-19 can lose their sense of smell because the virus infects the terminal nerves in their noses.The virus affects the support cells that surround the olfactory bulb, causing inflammation. Parosmia (distorted sense of smell) may occur when these nerves regenerate, and the brain cannot identify the real scent.

 

Although other viruses have been shown to do the same, the new coronavirus leaves the longest-lasting sequel, something never seen before.

 

Coronavirus is not the same as other diseases

 

The parosmia that can accompany the coronavirus is unusual and very different from what someone afflicted by a bad cold or flu can feel. Typically when COVID-19 patients have a loss of smell, it tends to be sudden& severe. It might be accompanied by stuffy or runny nose.

 

Treatment

 

Those who have suffered a partial or complete loss of smell and taste alterations during the infection continue to suffer from these symptoms. They can overcome the problem with atreatment that consists of the repeated stimulation of the olfactory pathway through a selection of smells also known as SMELL RETRAINING THERAPY.

 

This therapy allows the patient to train their sense of smell and their brain capacity to identify, store, and remember odours. Thus, the regeneration of damaged cells is accelerated.

 

It consists of a daily routine of two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, lasting about 10 minutes, and must be carried out over several months. The patient must smell different bottles of essential oils, trying to identify each aroma.you can use anything with a strong odor that you have around the house. Rose, lemon, eucalyptus, and clove are recommended as they cover different types of odours and are likely to stimulate a different pattern of odour receptors. You really think about what it smells like. So, when you are sniffing the lemon fragrance you are really thinking about how a lemon used to smell to you.

 

We encourage people to start with these and continue for the first 12 weeks.

 

Here at Aahan ENT Clinic, we use our best treatment to heal and take care of our patients. Our group of expertise follows you up throughout the treatment duration to ensure the best results. So book your appointment today and get into safe hands.