Why can't I smell?

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If your nose can’t smell: what to do?

The nose cannot smell, what should I do? This is the question asked by everyone who has encountered a similar problem. The first step is to contact a specialist. He will conduct an examination and be able to determine the cause of the loss of smell, and then prescribe treatment.

Table of contents:

Causes of loss of smell

There are several reasons why your nose will not smell. Most often this occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane. With acute respiratory viral infections, flu, sinusitis, and sinusitis, a loss of smell occurs, but this is a temporary phenomenon, so there is nothing to worry about: as soon as the swelling subsides, everything will fall into place. To get rid of the problem, you can use drops and sprays. They will help restore nasal breathing and remove swelling.

However, loss of smell sometimes occurs due to anatomical changes in the nasal cavity. It could be:

Drops and sprays cannot get rid of this; surgical intervention is necessary. For this reason, you should make an appointment with a doctor to determine the true cause of the loss of smell. After which treatment will be prescribed.

Drug treatment for loss of smell

When no odors are felt due to swelling of the mucous membrane, vasoconstrictor drugs are prescribed. Most often this is:

In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed. The drug and its dosage must be calculated by the doctor.

It is recommended to use them for no more than 5-7 days, since they are addictive and will not help subsequently. But usually during this time it is possible to get rid of a runny nose and restore your sense of smell. To speed up the process, it is recommended to rinse your nose with saline solution three times a day. To prepare it, you will need to dissolve 5 g of salt in 1 liter of warm water. Then the product is poured into a special teapot, syringe or syringe, and the liquid is carefully injected into one nostril. It should flow out through the other. Along with it, the bacteria that caused the swelling will also come out. After 3 days of this therapy, you will be able to regain your sense of smell.

Often the reason why the nose does not smell is an allergy. Here you simply cannot do without antihistamines. You can take Claritin or Suprastin and see how the body reacts. If the sense of smell is not restored after a few hours, then it is necessary to identify the allergen and eliminate it, otherwise the problem cannot be solved.

Traditional recipes for loss of smell

You can regain your ability to smell using folk remedies. To restore the olfactory function of the nose, inhalations are recommended. Essential oils give good results. The following oils are suitable for the procedure:

For inhalation, heat 2 liters of water in a saucepan. Then 8-10 drops of essential oil are added to it, after which the patient covers himself with a towel and inhales the vapors for 15 minutes. The procedure is recommended to be done within 5 days. During this time, the sense of smell should be restored. Inhaling pure oils also gives good results. To do this, apply a few drops to a handkerchief.

Inhalations can also be carried out using herbs. For the procedure you can use the following:

You can mix them in equal proportions or take only one plant. To prepare the decoction, you will need to pour 20 g of raw material into 1 liter of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Then put a towel over your head and breathe in the vapors for minutes. Course of treatment days. The procedure is recommended to be carried out daily. Your sense of smell should return soon. You can rinse your nose with this decoction; the solution will wash away bacteria from the sinuses, and breathing will become much easier.

If the nose does not smell, traditional healers recommend treating this ailment with herbs. To do this, you need to light dry wormwood and inhale the smoke. This procedure can be done up to 5 times a day. Your sense of smell should soon be restored. If you don’t have wormwood on hand, you can light garlic or onion peels. Restores the sense of smell and coffee. You should purchase it in grains, pour it into a glass container and inhale the aroma for 10 minutes three times a day.

Propolis will help with this problem. You will need to mix 10 g of the product with 50 g of butter and place in a water bath for 2 hours. Then the mixture is filtered and cooled. You will need to moisten cotton swabs in it and insert it into the nostrils for 30 minutes twice a day. After a week, olfactory function should be completely restored.

Mumiyo will also help to cope with this problem. To do this, take a grain-sized piece of the product and dissolve it in 5 ml of lamb fat. Cotton swabs should be soaked in this mixture and placed for 30 minutes twice a day. The duration of therapy is 1 week.

It is recommended to instill 2-3 drops of menthol oil into the nose several times a day. You can lubricate your temples and forehead with it; Soon you will be able to feel an improvement. A mixture of menthol and castor oils in equal proportions gives a good effect. It is recommended to apply this remedy to the nose three times a day.

You can restore your olfactory function with the help of Golden Star balm. First, the jar is placed in the sun, then after a few hours the ointment is applied to the back of the nose and the middle of the forehead. The procedure is recommended to be carried out up to 10 times a day for a week.

Ginger will also help with this problem. Pour 5 g of dried raw material into 50 ml of hot milk and leave for an hour. Then the infusion is filtered and the nose is washed with it. The procedure is recommended to be carried out three times a day until complete healing. Usually this takes no more than 10 days.

Birch tar helps in the treatment of swelling of the nasal mucosa. You will need 100 g of the product, pour 500 ml of cold water and leave for 12 hours. Then 100 ml of beet juice and 5 ml of castor oil are added to the mixture. The resulting medicine should be slightly warmed and filtered. After which 2 pieces of gauze are moistened in it, which should be folded in several layers, and applied to the forehead, nose, maxillary sinuses and the area under the eyes. Polyethylene and a warm scarf are placed on top. Cotton swabs soaked in the medicine are placed in the nostrils. You need to keep everything for at least 30 minutes. After several such procedures, the problem should completely go away.

You can also treat a nose that does not smell with the help of sage. An infusion is prepared from it. To do this, 10 g of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and left for 30 minutes. Then the product is filtered and taken 60 ml three times a day before meals.

You can regain your sense of smell with hand baths. You will need to soak your brushes in a saline solution for 15 minutes before going to bed. It is recommended to do the procedure daily for a week.

General recommendations

To avoid suffering from loss of smell later, you need to maintain your immunity. To do this, you need to make adjustments to your diet. You should consume more vegetables, fruits, berries, and freshly squeezed juices. It is best to give preference to steamed food. It retains more vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the body. It is recommended to avoid alcoholic and carbonated drinks. It is better to drink compotes, fruit drinks, filtered water, tea. Few people know, but cigarette smoke is quite often the cause of loss of smell, so you should quit smoking and stay away from those who have this harmful habit. To maintain your immunity, it is recommended to take a multivitamin every six months. You should also exercise regularly.

If you feel discomfort when using folk remedies, you should stop taking them. You need to tell your doctor about this. He will be able to choose a method that will be as comfortable as possible.

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Source: http://rinit03.ru/raznoe/nos-ne-chuvstvuet-zapaxi-chto-delat.html

What to do if your nose can't smell?

When the nose cannot smell, how to treat it? Should I immediately contact a specialist or is this a trifle and will go away on its own? Why did this happen? These and other questions arise in the head if a person loses one of these important sense organs.

Don't worry ahead of time. First, you need to understand the principle of operation of this respiratory organ and the reasons that could lead to its failure to continue to function as usual.

Function of the olfactory organ

Stable operation of this sense organ is simply necessary. Without the ability to recognize odors, a person can be in great danger even at the everyday level, for example, due to a gas leak. Moreover, problems with the sense of smell may indicate a brain tumor.

Anosmia (loss of smell) can be complete or partial. In fact, this olfactory organ has a very complex structure, which is why, even at this moment, it remains incompletely studied.

Special receptors work to recognize aromas, to which the smallest molecules of odorous substances enter through the nasal passages. The information received becomes an electrical signal and enters a part of the brain, where the final output occurs, which we recognize as “smell.”

Types of smell impairment

If your nose has stopped smelling, there can be a huge number of reasons for this. Due to its complex structure, its stable operation directly depends on even minor details, and the loss of smell is caused by any disturbance in the penetration of air into the nasal passage.

Among other things, the sense of smell deteriorates with age and from hunger, and its severity even depends on the time of day, for example at night, the brain practically does not recognize odors. In certain situations, the inability to recognize aroma is a congenital pathology.

There are several basic concepts that describe the loss of smell:

  • full;
  • partial (the ability to detect some odors);
  • specific (without the ability to determine any specific odor);
  • absolute hyposmia (decreased sense of smell);
  • partial hyposmia (decreased sense of smell for specific odors);
  • dysosmia (incorrect perception of smells).

Causes of loss of smell

The most common cause of loss of smell remains blocking the access of microscopic odor particles directly to the mucous membrane. This can happen for various reasons:

  1. Inflammatory processes.
  2. Polyps.
  3. Deviation of the nasal septum.
  4. Physical trauma.
  5. Neoplasms.
  6. Immersion of olfactory hairs in secretions.

Rhinitis is the main and most common reason for the inability of odor molecules to access the mucous membrane. The body secretes an additional amount of mucus to fight microbes, which causes swelling in the area where the receptors are located.

Among other things, loss of smell may remain even after a runny nose has been cured. This is often due to long-term use of special drops, which are supposed to relieve swelling, but in the end, if abused, they themselves provoke it.

Normally, the nose should regain its ability to perceive odors within 7 days. What should you do if a week has passed and you still can’t smell it? You need to see a doctor as soon as possible, because there is a high risk of damage to the olfactory nerves.

In addition to rhinitis, the mucous membrane can also swell with:

Self-medication is strictly forbidden, as this can lead to irreversible negative health consequences, including complete loss of smell.

In cases where the nose breathes but does not perceive odors, the problem often lies in malfunctions or even damage to the cells that perceive odors. The reason for this may be the following factors:

  • neoplasms;
  • viral infections;
  • chemical poisoning;
  • radiation therapy for cancer treatment;
  • tumor in the brain;
  • harmful chemical fumes.

There are cases when the loss of the ability to smell is irreversible. This often occurs due to physical trauma to the skull and damage to the recognition center of smell. Most often, such injuries occur during an accident.

Absolute loss of smell can occur in other cases:

  • Kallmann syndrome;
  • cancer tumor;
  • congenital diseases;
  • neurosurgical operations and therapy;
  • use of neurotoxic drugs.

How to restore your sense of smell?

If for a long time, for no apparent reason, there is no sense of smell, you need to contact an otolaryngologist (ENT) as soon as possible. Only a qualified specialist can maintain the stable functioning of the organ.

An otolaryngologist, using special techniques, will be able to determine the true cause of the malfunction of the olfactory organ, after which he will prescribe special treatment. The approach should be comprehensive: surgical intervention, physiotherapy, special medications.

Among other things, the specialist must develop an individual nutrition system to restore the sense of smell. It is especially beneficial to consume foods that contain vitamin A and zinc:
  • orange and yellow vegetables;
  • dairy products;
  • beef;
  • sunflower or pumpkin seeds;
  • liver;
  • chicken eggs;
  • legumes

If the otolaryngologist cannot detect any disorders that may directly or indirectly affect the loss of smell, it is necessary to visit a neurologist. The problem may be a failure in signal transmission to the cerebral cortex. Often the problem is nerve damage, cancer, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Diabetes mellitus may also be a cause of dysfunction of the olfactory organ. If treatment is not started in time, damage occurs to the nerve cells that process data about incoming odors.

If you suspect diabetes mellitus, you need to go to an endocrinologist, who will make the appropriate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate procedures. Now knowing which nose does not smell, you can start treatment on time and avoid more serious complications.

Directory of main ENT diseases and their treatment

All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!

Source: http://gorlonos.com/drugie-zabolevaniya/nos-ne-chuvstvuet-zapahov.html

Loss of smell, impaired sensitivity to smells: causes, treatment

Loss of smell, complete or partial, can be caused by a number of reasons, ranging from a common runny nose to malignant degeneration of tissue. A slight loss of the ability to smell is not an alarming symptom, but with accompanying complications and deterioration of the condition, detailed diagnosis is necessary. If a patient has lost their sense of smell for no apparent reason, then the best solution would be to see a doctor.

Causes and mechanisms of disease development

With a chronic or acute runny nose, the loss of smell is temporary and is caused by the accumulation of mucus, which makes it difficult for the aromatic substance to reach the nerve endings. As a result, an incomplete or blurred signal reaches the odor perception centers in the brain.

Ozena or foul runny nose causes a sudden loss of smell. The epithelium of the nasal mucosa thickens, secreting a thick and foul-smelling secretion. It dries out in the form of crusts, which prevent the nose from performing its olfactory function. Complete loss of mucosal function occurs as a result of epithelial atrophy, which is possible with advanced disease and is difficult to correct.

With allergic rhinitis, there is also often a decrease in the ability to perceive smells (hyposmia). The reason is also the shielding of the nerve endings of the nasal mucosa with constant secretions. Hyposmia in allergies is not pronounced, but can cause significant anxiety to the patient.

Congenital or acquired anomalies in childhood and adulthood lead to anosmia (complete loss of smell) or hyposmia. Professor Palchun V.T. in his work “Otolaryngology” notes: “Almost any mechanical disturbance in the penetration of air into the olfactory fissure causes a violation of the sense of smell.” If the patient has not smelled since birth, then treatment is usually prescribed after puberty, but it is better not to delay consultation with an ENT specialist.

Syphilis or tuberculosis localized in the nasal area can lead to essential (irreversible) disorder. Such cases are quite rare, but in areas with a high incidence of these ailments, you need to keep them in mind.

Long-term use of certain intranasal medications (for example, vasoconstrictor drops), as well as poisoning with certain poisons, can lead to loss of smell. The same can be said about thermal burns, especially steam. After exposure to such factors, patients note that their sense of smell immediately suddenly disappeared or decreased.

Oncological processes in the upper parts of the nose often lead to this type of disorder. This is one of the leading symptoms of preliminary diagnosis of such diseases.

In children, loss of smell can be caused by the presence of foreign bodies in the nasal passages. If the operation is carried out carelessly, residues of cotton swabs and gauze may be left in the cavity. Also in medical practice, there are cases where, due to excessive intranasal use of powdered medicines, a lump was formed from them, which hardened over time (rhinolitis - nasal stone).

In rare cases, a tooth may grow into the nasal cavity, which also interferes with the normal sense of smell. This could be an incisor or a canine, which are localized in the lower or middle part of the passages.

Polypous changes in the mucous membrane can be a consequence of a number of diseases or develop independently. It almost always leads to a change in the sense of smell. Patients note that they gradually begin to smell poorly. An increase in symptoms indicates the growth of the polyp.

If the patient simultaneously ceases to smell and taste, then perhaps we are talking about diseases not directly related to the ENT organs. To identify them, a comprehensive diagnosis of the body is necessary. This symptom gives reason to suspect diabetes mellitus, a brain tumor in the temporal lobe, hypertension, and neurological disorders.

The sense of smell can deteriorate during periods of physiological changes: pregnancy, menopause, and aging. In such cases, no medical or surgical treatment is usually prescribed.

Diagnosis of anosmia and hyposmia

Establishing the degree of reduction in the sense of smell is based on the following scheme:

  1. Sensitivity testing using different scents.
  2. Measuring olfactory acuity using olfactometry. The device used contains cylinders with a precise amount of odorous substances, which are delivered into the patient’s nasal cavity.
  3. Rhinoscopy. A thorough examination of the nasal cavity, septum and the condition of the mucous membrane is a mandatory condition for examination if the sense of smell is impaired.
  4. Analysis of liquid secretion secreted by the epithelium of the nasal passages. In some cases, an infection causing a runny nose may be behind the loss of smell (for example, with ozen), so an accurate identification of the pathogen may be necessary.

Treatment of obvious disturbances of smell

Therapy for the disease is based on eliminating its main cause, as well as pathological consequences (hypertrophy and atrophy of the mucosa, etc.). It is not always possible to restore the sense of smell, but with early diagnosis, surgical intervention is usually very effective. The main difficulties of treatment occur when, as a result of injury or congenital pathology, the nerve pathways that transmit signals from the olfactory bulbs to the brain are affected.

Antibiotic therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs

This type of treatment should accompany other measures when the infectious nature of the disease is detected. This will stop the inflammatory process and prevent further impairment of the sense of smell, and in some cases, restore it. Preparations in the form of nasal sprays can be particularly effective. These include Polydex with phenylephrine and fusafungine. Local application is the safest and allows for a faster recovery.

Taking herbal medications that relieve inflammation may also be indicated. These drugs include pinosol. Sea water and preparations containing it (aquamaris, etc.) have a good anti-inflammatory effect; it moisturizes the mucous membrane and washes away the pathogen.

Antiallergic therapy

When the cause of a runny nose is allergic rhinitis, a comprehensive approach to the cause of the disease is necessary. The most effective remedy to completely get rid of an unpleasant illness is sensitization of the body. It is a kind of “accustoming” of the immune system to a specific antigen (a substance to which an allergic reaction occurs).

First of all, it is necessary to determine the source of the disease. To do this, the patient needs to pay close attention to when and in what circumstances allergy symptoms worsen. Perhaps the reason is the flowering of certain plants, pet hair, or dry fish food.

The found antigen is diluted several times in the laboratory, achieving a concentration at which it does not provoke any undesirable reaction. The dosage is gradually increased. As a result, the allergy goes away and the sense of smell returns. The only disadvantage of this method is its duration; addiction can last up to several months.

Sometimes there is simply no opportunity to wait that long. Then the treatment is based on a course of taking certain medications. It can be:
  • Antiallergic nasal sprays (nasobek, ifiral, etc.);
  • Tablets and solutions with histamine blockers (prevent the development of an allergic reaction) - Zyrtec, fenistil, cetirizine;
  • Glucocorticosteroids are administered orally or as injections.

Surgical intervention

The operation, as a rule, serves to ensure full access of air into the nasal passages. One of the most common types of such intervention is nasal polypotomy. In modern surgical practice, laser is used in most cases, since classical loop removal often leads to relapses.

Sometimes, with slight hypertrophy of the mucous membrane, it can be cauterized with chemicals - lapis, trichloroacetic or chromic acids. Also in some cases the use of electric current. A special galvanocauter instrument is inserted into the nasal cavity and guided along its wall for deep destruction of the mucous membrane.

A more radical method is a vasectomy. It is performed under local anesthesia. The doctor makes an incision on the surface of the mucosa and separates its upper surface, destroying the submucosal tissue.

If all these methods are ineffective, resection of hypertrophied tissue is used. Using scissors or a loop, the doctor removes the changed areas of the mucosa. After the operation, there is a fairly long recovery period, during which normal nasal epithelium should gradually grow over the damaged area.

Hygiene of the nasal mucosa to restore the sense of smell during illness

During atrophic and hypertrophic phenomena of the mucous membrane, which often accompany inflammation and allergies, its functioning is significantly impaired. This may be worsened by taking certain intranasal medications. Here is what N. E. Boykova, Candidate of Medical Sciences, senior researcher, writes about this: “Medicines taken for various diseases as a side effect often cause subatrophy of the nasal mucosa due to systemic action, which is especially important for representatives of vocal professions in connection with the upcoming changes in the resonator tract.”

To normalize the condition of the epithelium of the nasal cavity, in most cases, the following measures can be recommended:

  1. Moisturizing mucous membranes with sea water, softening crusts from hardened secretions using oils of plant origin (almond, peach).
  2. Frequent ventilation of premises.
  3. Maintaining sufficient air humidity.
  4. Salt inhalations.
  5. Carrying out periodic wet cleaning. This measure will prevent unnecessary contact of the patient with antigens, primarily dust, which can cause additional irritation of the mucous membrane.
  6. Taking nasal sprays containing beneficial microelements (magnesium, potassium, copper, iron). Such drugs include Aquamaris, Aqualor, Otrivin Sea.
  7. Drinking plenty of fluids will help replenish the moisture that is lost during rhinitis and prevent nasal dryness.

Prevention

To prevent anosmia or hyposmia, it is important to rule out colds or allergies whenever possible. Mechanical and congenital pathologies are quite difficult to prevent, but they are usually eliminated surgically. Diseases directly related to the mucous membrane can have a long-term, sluggish nature. Therefore, even after surgery, a relapse (return of previous symptoms) is possible.

One of the important prerequisites for a normal sense of smell and the exclusion of diseases of the mucous membrane is the stable state of the immune and nervous system. To do this, it is important to avoid nervousness, overexertion, and frequent changes in daily routine. It is necessary to eat properly and nutritiously; in the spring you can take vitamin complexes in consultation with your doctor.

Even in a healthy state, it is important to take care of the hygiene of the nasal mucosa and maintain sufficient air humidity in your home and work areas. When visiting places with large crowds of people (public transport, meetings, exhibitions), it makes sense to use oxolin ointment, which will protect against airborne infections.

The sense of smell is an important part of human life. In its absence, many patients note that food becomes tasteless; outdoor recreation without the aromas of flowers and pine needles seems incomplete. To preserve this important ability, you need to take care of your body and prevent infectious diseases from becoming chronic.

Source: http://uhonos.ru/nos/simptomy-nosa/poterya-obonyaniya/

Lost sense of smell during a runny nose

Causes

When you have a runny nose, air access to the olfactory receptors is blocked. This means that air particles carrying aroma, due to snot, have difficulty penetrating into these places, resulting in loss of smell and taste.

People who suffer from chronic runny nose, sinusitis and sinusitis are especially susceptible to this condition. Adenoids, polyps, allergies, nasal septum defects and neoplasms in the nasal cavity significantly worsen the situation.

Viral infection

A decrease in the sense of smell always occurs in the second phase of a runny nose during a viral infection, when nasal itching and sneezing are replaced by copious liquid discharge and congestion. This happens for two reasons:

  1. The secretions envelop the walls of the nose, preventing air from entering them.
  2. Some viruses block the functioning of receptors.

Sinusitis

If, a week after the cold, the condition worsened, the temperature began to rise, the sense of smell and taste disappeared, persistent nasal congestion and headaches appeared, the disease may have been complicated by sinusitis (sinusitis). Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses. The mucous membrane of the sinuses swells, the secretion stagnates and turns into pus.

Microorganisms that cause sinusitis destroy the epithelium, so taste and smell signals simply stop reaching the brain. This is the cause of loss of smell.

Overdose of nasal drops

Vasoconstrictor drops can be dripped no more often than every 4–6 hours and no more than 3–4 times a day. The duration of treatment for most drugs is 3 days. But it is not uncommon for people to abuse these medications and instill them often and in large quantities.

With prolonged and frequent use of vasoconstrictor drugs, the muscular layer of the nasal vessels ceases to function independently, and the nutrition of the vessel wall is disrupted.

You can also dry out the nasal mucosa by irrationally using astringent drops - Collargol and Protargol.

Allergy

The sense of smell may disappear temporarily during an allergic rhinitis. This happens due to swelling and an abundance of liquid secretions, which prevent air from coming into contact with the olfactory receptors.

If the sense of smell has disappeared due to allergies, then first of all you need to get rid of it with the help of antihistamines and hormonal drugs.

Hormonal disorders

It’s not scary if the sense of smell has disappeared during pregnancy (against the background of vasomotor runny nose), menstruation, or after taking oral contraceptives. The reason for this is hormonal changes, after which everything returns to normal.

Anatomical changes in the nasal cavity

The cause of loss of smell may be changes in the nasal cavity, accompanied by discharge:

  • polyps;
  • adenoids;
  • large curvature of the nasal septum;
  • tumors;
  • hypertrophy of the nasal concha.

To restore your sense of smell, you need to get rid of the listed anatomical defects. It is possible that this is only possible with the help of surgery.

Poisons and chemicals

The sense of smell and taste disappears in people who work in the production of toxic substances and come into contact with paint and varnish products, petroleum products, vapors of various acids, etc. This condition, called anosmia, or complete loss of sense of smell, may or may not be accompanied by a runny nose.

In addition, active and passive smokers also often complain that they have lost their sense of smell. Receptors can die completely, and it can be almost impossible to restore their original functions.

Treatment

To get rid of this scourge, you need to eliminate a runny nose and improve the flow of mucus from the nasal cavity.

First of all, you need to limit yourself to using nasal drops. Instead, it is better to use physical procedures, for example, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UV irradiation of the nose and pharynx, bioptron. If you urgently need to improve your breathing, you need to accustom yourself to using saline solutions, which are good at eliminating the symptoms and causes of the disease. The minerals and natural components they contain significantly improve the functioning of the nasal mucosa.

Medical recommendations

  1. You need to do gymnastics every day - strain and relax your nasal muscles for ten minutes. You need to keep your nose tense for at least a minute.
  2. Massage the wings of the nose.
  3. If the sense of smell has disappeared and there is a loss of taste, you need to do warm-ups. It is recommended to warm your nose with a blue lamp; if you don’t have one, you can use a regular student lamp. Warming is carried out at a distance of 25 cm, warm for 10 minutes, once a day for a week.
  4. Rinse your nose daily with pharmaceutical saline solutions - Delphi, Aquamaris, Humer.
  5. You can drip Pinosol oil drops into your nose.

Attention! For treatment, it is prohibited to use vasoconstrictor drops, sprays and combination drops containing a vasoconstrictor component (Polydex, Vibrocil).

Traditional methods

  • You need to do steam inhalations over water with the addition of lemon juice, lavender and mint oil. Do them daily, the number of procedures is 10. For inhalation, you can prepare a decoction of sage, calendula, nettle or mint, with the addition of fresh garlic juice. You need to cover your head with a blanket and breathe over the steam for 15 minutes.
  • Insert cotton swabs soaked in honey into your nose for 20 minutes.
  • If your sense of smell has disappeared, you can breathe over the smoke from burning wormwood, garlic or onion peels.
  • Inhaling pungent odors: horseradish, onions, mustard will help restore the taste.
  • It is useful to inhale the vapors of menthol oil or Star balm.
  • Make hot foot baths with the addition of mustard, eucalyptus, and pepper. They improve blood circulation, effectively cope with runny nose and congestion, and drive away colds, especially if you take hot baths before bed.

Prevention

To avoid losing your sense of smell and taste, you need to take care of your health and follow the following recommendations:

  • do not delay treatment of runny nose and colds;
  • during an epidemic of viral diseases, rinse your nose with saline solutions, decoctions of chamomile, and calendula;
  • avoid contact with allergens if allergies are diagnosed;
  • take care of strengthening the immune system;
  • when working with harmful substances, use protective masks and respirators;
  • follow safety rules when playing sports.

Loss of smell after a runny nose does not always occur and not in everyone. It is not normal and requires treatment. Therefore, if your sense of smell has disappeared and has not recovered a couple of months after recovery, then it is not recommended to hesitate - you need to go to an ENT doctor.

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  • Medicines (32)
  • Treatment (9)
  • Folk remedies (13)
  • Runny nose (41)
  • Other (18)
  • Rhinosinusitis (2)
  • Sinusitis (11)
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Why can't my nose smell?

Causes of the disease

If the nose does not smell, then this is a rather alarming symptom that cannot be ignored.

The thing is that if the cause of this symptom is a common runny nose, then after recovery, the sense of smell will certainly be restored.

However, if the loss of the ability to sense aromas is a consequence of congenital or acquired anomalies of the nasopharynx, then in this case special treatment cannot be avoided.

Chronic or acute rhinitis

If the nose does not perceive odors, then the reason for this may be a runny nose caused by viral, bacterial infections or allergies. The sense of smell returns after the elimination of excess mucous secretion, a large amount of which, during rhinitis, completely or partially blocks the penetration of odors to the nerve endings. Constant nasal congestion leads to the fact that the olfactory centers located in the brain do not receive a full signal, which does not allow you to fully perceive the inhaled odor. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the nose begins to breathe. To do this, use vasoconstrictor drugs and rinse the nasal passages with saline and disinfectant solutions.

Atrophic rhinitis

When atrophic rhinitis (ozena) occurs, the patient suddenly ceases to smell. The loss of smell is most often accompanied by a foul odor from the nose. The cause of this disease is an inflammatory process that develops in the nasal mucosa, which provokes the appearance of a thick, foul-smelling secretion. As the disease progresses, mucus dries in the nose and crusts form, preventing normal perception of odors.

Important! If timely treatment is not started, the development of ozena is dangerous due to atrophy of the epithelium.

Congenital diseases

If a person is completely unable to smell from birth, then in this case we are talking about congenital developmental anomalies. In this case, there can be many reasons for the occurrence of pathology, but most often they are associated with anomalies in the development of the organs of the nasopharynx and the structure of the facial region, which cause a violation of the penetration of air into the olfactory gap, which leads to difficulties with the perception of odors. Sometimes the inability to distinguish odors is caused by genetically determined hormonal disorders (Kallmann syndrome). Despite its complexity, anosmia is most often treatable, which is usually carried out after puberty.

Foreign objects in the nasopharynx

Most often, a foreign body (a bead, a small piece of construction equipment, a bone or a pea) stuck in the nasal passage causes loss of smell in children under the age of six. Also, foreign objects can interfere with the process of smell perception in the postoperative period, when pieces of cotton swabs or gauze remain in the nasal passages.

Experts also note cases where the use of powdered medications through the nose can cause the formation of lumps that harden over time.

A tooth (incisor, canine) can grow into the nasal cavity (in the lower or middle region). Although this happens extremely rarely, it can also prevent odors from reaching the olfactory center.

Other reasons

  • Long-term (more than ten days) use of vasoconstrictor drugs to treat a runny nose may cause temporary loss of smell.
  • Diseases such as syphilis and tuberculosis, localized in the nasal cavity, can cause the development of anosmia, which cannot be treated. However, such cases are quite rare.
  • Loss of the ability to smell can occur when the body is poisoned with certain poisons or with thermal burns to the nasal cavity. For example, after inhaling hot steam, the patient claimed that he inhaled the odors of various odorous substances, but did not feel them.
  • Oncological diseases of the nasopharynx are often accompanied by hyposmia. In this case, odors are not felt and the ability to distinguish aromas returns only after the cause of the unpleasant symptom is eliminated.

Disease of various organs and systems

If the patient does not feel taste or smell at the same time, then it is likely that the cause of these symptoms is a disease of organs not related to the nasopharynx. In this case, a full diagnosis should be carried out to find out the reason why there is no sense of smell and no sense of taste. Among the most common diseases with similar symptoms are diabetes mellitus, a tumor in the temporal lobe of the brain, high blood pressure, and neurological disorders.

Important! The ability to perceive odors can decrease significantly during pregnancy, menopause, and puberty. In such situations, there is no need to treat the symptom with either medication or surgery.

Diagnostics

In order for the attending physician to establish the cause of the disease, it is necessary to carry out a number of diagnostic procedures. Most often, several standard procedures are required, such as anamnesis analysis, visual examination, and general blood and urine tests. In addition to standard diagnostic methods, the degree of reduction in the sense of smell can be determined as follows:

  • Examine the sensitivity of olfactory receptors by inhaling the odorous solution.
  • Determination of the acuity of odor perception using the olfactometry method. As part of this diagnostic procedure, a special device is used that contains a certain amount of odorous substances that are delivered into the patient’s nasal cavity.
  • A detailed examination of the nasal cavity can be carried out using a procedure such as rhinoscopy. Examination of the cavity is carried out using special mirrors, and allows you to determine the condition of the tissues and mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
  • Also, before starting treatment, the doctor must take liquid secretions from the nasal cavity for analysis. The thing is that often problems with the sense of smell can be associated with exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, for example, with atrophic rhinitis. This analysis will help determine the type of infection and prescribe the correct treatment.

Treatment

The choice of the correct methods of treatment for a disorder in the ability to perceive odors should be based on combating the cause of the unpleasant symptom. The ultimate goal of treatment should be the complete restoration of olfactory ability. However, as practice shows, it is not always possible to completely restore your sense of smell. Especially in situations where injury or a congenital anomaly affects the nerve pathways whose function is to transmit signals to the olfactory center of the brain.

Therapy with antibacterial drugs

This treatment is usually used when loss of smell is caused by a bacterial infection. The use of systemic antibiotics (Sumamed, Azithromycin, Augmentin) eliminates inflammation and stops the development of the disease. The use of local antibacterial agents in the form of nasal sprays (Fuzafungin, Polydex with phenyloephrine) also has a positive effect.

Also, in the complex treatment of bacterial infections of the nasopharynx, you can use herbal preparations that help reduce the severity of the inflammatory process (Pinosol).

Rinsing and moisturizing the nasal cavity with saline solutions (Aquamaris, Nosol) has an anti-inflammatory effect, washing away pathogenic microorganisms.

Therapy for allergic reactions

If the cause of a runny nose and loss of smell is allergic rhinitis, then in this case you should:

  • eliminate the cause of the unpleasant symptom;
  • use local treatment using antiallergic nasal sprays (Nasobek, Ifiral);
  • take an antihistamine in the form of drops or tablets (Suprastin, Zodak, Loratadine);
  • in severe situations, inject glucocorticoid drugs (Prednisolone).

The most common cause of allergies is inhalation of strong odors, dusty air, plant pollen or pet hair.

For frequent allergic reactions, the most effective treatment is sensitization of the body. In this case, a gradual (over several months) adaptation of the immune system to the allergen occurs.

Surgical treatment options

Surgical intervention is resorted to in extreme cases, when there is completely no access of air into the nasal passages, and conservative methods do not bring the desired effect.

  • The most popular method of surgical treatment today is laser therapy. To restore the olfactory function of the nose, nasal polypotomy is used. Using this procedure, polyps are removed.
  • Also, quite often, with slight hypertrophy of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities, a procedure is carried out to cauterize the mucous membrane with various chemicals (trichloroacetic acid, lapis), and electric current.
  • In more severe cases, a vasectomy method is used to restore the ability to smell. This operation is performed under local anesthesia.

The ability to distinguish odors is an important function of the human body. In order to preserve the sense of smell and the ability to distinguish smells and tastes, it is necessary to take care of the condition of the body, preventing the occurrence of serious complications and chronic diseases.

Author: Chernobay Nadezhda

Comments and reviews

Nasal polypotomy - what is it?

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    A drug made according to an old folk recipe. Find out how it got on the coat of arms of the city of Shenkursk.

    Famous drops for preventing diseases and increasing immunity.

    Monastic tea for ENT diseases

    For the prevention and assistance in the treatment of diseases of the throat and nose according to the prescription of Schema-Archimandrite George (Sava).

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    Higher medical education, anesthesiologist.

    Source: http://lorcabinet.com/simptomnos/vonyaet/nos-ne-chuvstvuet-zapahi.html

    about the smells. . I don't smell it. And I don’t feel it AT ALL... what should I do?

    Based on what I have written, you need to build your further tactics. First, get a referral for a computed tomography scan of the brain and consultation with an experienced neurologist and/or neurosurgeon (or neurophysiologist). All this is done in order to exclude a tumor process in the brain. We are not talking about a malignant tumor in this particular case. Or rather, not only and not so much about her. Many benign tumors can develop in the brain, leading to anosmia.

    a sign of cadmium poisoning, a consequence of a brain disease (tumor, for example).

    Contact an ENT doctor, neurologist and therapist.

    Source: http://otvet.mail.ru/question/

    If your nose can't smell: simple tips

    How can you restore your nose’s sense of smell when you have a cold or runny nose? This is the most common question that often arises in people with colds and advanced rhinitis.

    In order to cope well with the problem of loss of smell quickly enough, you need to adhere to the recommendations of doctors and in no case should you self-medicate.

    In order to restore the lost sense of smell, you need to know about the main types of this disorder. Such knowledge will certainly help to correctly and accurately select treatment methods, which will speed up the patient’s recovery and the return of the sense of smell. In total, there are two types of smell disorders: hyposmia - a decrease in the ability to smell and anosmia, with a runny nose, is called complete loss of smell.

    Both diseases, hyposmia and anosmia, cause a whole series of unpleasant sensations, limit the fullness of perception and worsen the quality of life.

    The main cause of cold loss of smell is swelling of the nasal mucosa. Moreover, how effective the fight against this disorder will be directly depends on the correct determination of the causes of swelling.

    If the nose does not smell and the patient has a runny nose, then the cause may be: chronic diseases of the nasal mucosa; inflammatory processes in the paranasal sinuses (with sinusitis, sinusitis, frontal sinuses); cold (ARI); allergy; viral infections (flu, ARVI).

    Despite the fact that the manifestation of these diseases is a runny nose, loss of smell is only a phenomenon accompanying rhinitis, which does not always occur. In addition, if the runny nose has passed, but the sense of smell is still lost, then very often it is restored within five, or, at most, seven days. If the disorder lasts longer than a week, then we can assume problems with the nerve responsible for the sense of smell.

    In order to get a complete answer to the question of why the sense of smell suddenly disappeared when you have a runny nose, you need to make an appointment with an ENT specialist. In the case where the sense of smell has disappeared due to a runny nose, and not because any other disturbances have occurred in the body, the doctor will confirm this after carrying out a whole range of diagnostic measures.

    If a patient has lost their sense of smell due to a runny nose, then the main thing in this case is not to try to cure it on their own, especially with the help of self-prescribed medications.

    Treatment with medications should only be prescribed by a doctor. For a quick recovery, experts quite often prescribe the following drugs: Nazol, Naphthyzin, Naphazolin, Nazoveron, Rinazolin, Reserpine.

    All of the above medications are classified as vasoconstrictors. They are quite effective in relieving a runny nose and can also restore your sense of smell.

    If the reason why your sense of smell has disappeared is a common runny nose, then you should not rush too much and immediately resort to the use of medicinal methods. You can also turn to traditional health recipes.

    Folk remedies can be used independently; they are effective and harmless, since more than one generation has tested them on themselves. Often folk remedies are enough to get rid of not only rhinitis, but also colds, as a factor that provokes a runny nose.

    Inhalations are one of the most well-known methods for treating a runny nose, as well as for restoring the olfactory function of the nose. During this procedure, medicinal substances enter the body directly through the inflamed respiratory tract itself when the patient inhales the vapor.

    People use various essential oils or simply solutions for inhalation, which can be prepared using boiling water, as well as various natural ingredients. This recipe is recommended for preparing inhalations at home.

    A few drops of basil essential oil are placed on a napkin, which is placed on the pillow near the patient. They take two hundred ml. boiling water, ten drops of lemon juice, two to three drops of mint or lavender essential oil are poured into it. It is necessary for the patient to inhale the vapor of the mixture through each nostril. Inhalations should be forced, and the inhalation itself lasts for four to five minutes. This procedure is recommended to be carried out for a week, once a day. Similar inhalations can be carried out using eucalyptus or fir essential oil.

    You can prepare your own nasal drops, which help in the absence of smell. To do this, mix menthol and camphor oils in a ratio of 1: 1. This product is dripped into the nose three times a day, three to four drops for each nostril.

    But folk remedies, despite their harmlessness, are best used with the permission of a doctor, so that the specialist rules out more serious diseases and the patient does not miss the onset of the disease, when it is easiest to treat.

    If you lose your sense of smell, it is better not to self-medicate, but to turn to an ENT specialist, who should determine the cause of the ailment and prescribe a treatment regimen; this is the only way to avoid harming your health and quickly regain your lost sense of smell.

    ATTENTION! Before using any medicine, you should consult your doctor!

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    Source: http://provizor.org/node/47537