Reduced Sense of Smell

Anosmia is the partial or complete loss of the reduced  sense of smell. This loss may be temporary or permanent. Common conditions that irritate the nose’s lining, such as allergies or a cold, can lead to temporary anosmia. More serious conditions that affect the brain or nerves, such as brain tumors or head trauma, can cause permanent loss of smell. Old age sometimes causes anosmia.

Anosmia usually isn’t serious, but it can have a profound effect on a person’s quality of life. People with anosmia may not be able to fully taste foods and may lose interest in eating. This can lead to weight loss or malnutrition. Anosmia can also lead to depression because it may impair one’s ability to smell or taste pleasurable foods

Causes:

• Commonest cause is chronic severe allergic rhinitis.
• If there are allergic nasal polyps obstructing the upper part of the nose, where the olfactory nerve fibres ( which carries the sense of smell) are situated, it is sure to cause reduced smell (hyposmia) or complete loss of smell ( anosmia)

Diagnosis:

• DNE ( DIAGNOSTIC NASAL ENDOSCOPY)
• CT

Treatment:

• Medicines to control allergy or reduce the size of the polyps.
• If not responding satisfactorily, FESS can be advised.
• Since the cause (nasal allergy) cannot be fully brought under control, polyps are bound to come back after surgery within a few years in the vast majority. The Draf 3 ( Modified Lothrop) Procedure will give complete cure in 75% of patients, & gives a ray of hope to these suffering patients.