Memorial Ataşehir Hospital, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Özgür Habeşoğlu gave information about anosmia, also known as olfactory blindness.
The inability to smell, that is, anosmia, which is on everyone's agenda with the coronavirus, can also be caused by different reasons. It is important to apply treatment for the cause of olfactory blindness, and effective results can be obtained by periodically sniffing sharp-smelling foods such as lemon, mint, coffee, and sending a warning to the brain when the smell cannot be removed. Loss of smell in coronavirus, flu or other upper respiratory tract infections usually resolves spontaneously, but can also be permanent.
prof. Dr. Mehmet Özgür Habeşoğlu said that there are many reasons for the loss of smell.
Anosmia, known as the inability to smell or olfactory blindness, can be experienced with sharp or mild odors, or it can be experienced as a complete loss of the sense of smell. It usually occurs when the smell of the consumed food is not smelled. However, sometimes it is decisive that the sharp odors used in daily life such as perfume, soap, cologne are not taken. The reasons for not being able to smell are evaluated under two headings as conduction and sensorneurole types.
The reasons for not being able to smell can be listed as follows;
Abnormal swelling of the nasal concha, called nasal polyps, and blockage of the nose
severe nasal curvature
Respiratory tract infections such as coronavirus, flu, colds, allergies
Smoking, hookah or drug use
Besides these; Diseases such as brain tumors, skull base fractures, Alzheimer's, hormonal disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson's, brain aneurysm can also cause olfactory blindness.
prof. Dr. Mehmet Özgür Habeşoğlu stated that olfactory blindness can be permanent.
The inability to smell, which is one of the most mentioned complaints during the coronavirus epidemic, usually resolves on its own. However, olfactory blindness may be permanent if the nerve endings are affected in upper respiratory tract infections such as influenza, flu, including coronavirus. Sometimes, even if the olfactory problem goes away, anosmia can come back in cases where the immune system is weakened.
prof. Dr. Habeşoğlu explained that the treatment was planned according to the cause.
The treatment of anosmia, that is, the inability to smell, is carried out by eliminating the cause, if a cause can be identified. The condition causing the anosmia should be determined and the treatment should be directed towards this ailment. For example, in the presence of nasal polyps in the nose, the problem of not being able to smell can be eliminated with treatment. In the presence of allergic conditions, medical treatment should be regulated or if there is nasal curvature, surgical deviation should be corrected.
Dr. Habeşoğlu said that exercise can be done by smelling lemon, fresh mint or coffee.
In cases where odor information is not sent from the nose to the brain for a long time, the brain may gradually close itself to odors. Scent exercises should not be neglected to keep the brain vigorous in terms of smell. There is no known herbal treatment for anosmia. However, during the treatment of anosmia, exercise can be done by smelling favorite dominant scents such as lemon, fresh mint, coffee 2-3 times a day. In this way, the olfactory nerve can be activated by reminding the brain of smells. However, boiling and drinking or eating a plant has no place in the treatment of anosmia.
prof. Dr. Mehmet Özgür Habeşoğlu made the following recommendations;
It is important to take necessary precautions against infections such as flu, sinusitis and colds. In chronic cases, necessary medical treatments should be arranged.
It is important to keep the nose clean at all times.
Avoid bad weather, smoking, snuff or hookah use, which may irritate the nose.
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