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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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NetWellness provides the highest quality health information and education services created and evaluated by faculty of our partner universities.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
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Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders |
Cannot taste or smell06/22/2009 |
I have not been able to taste or smell for approximately two months. Periodically, I will be able to smell and taste but for only very short periods never lasting more than two hours. I have never had allergies but maybe I do now. I don`t seem congested. I am going crazy because I love to cook and eat. Very depressing and I am now losing weight, currenlty 5`3" and 110 lbs) Can you give me some insight?
There are nerve endings located along the roof of the inside of the nose that combine with odor molecules as they enter the nose, and these nerves then send signals to the brain thereby allowing us to smell. Therefore, for us to be able to smell, odor molecules must be able to pass up to the roof of the nose.
There are a number of conditions that might cause us to lose our smell, but most effect the nerve endings or nerve pathway to the brain. However, any condition that will increase congestion or swelling in the nose might prevent odors from reaching these nerve endings, and can also cause a loss of smell. Allergies or chronic sinus inflammation and infection for example. These conditions might obstruct the roof of the nose, yet the congestion may not be severe enough to obstruct breathing. If indeed your smell fluctuates, then this suggests the problem is more likely to be an obstruction in the nose, not a condition involving the nerve. As such, there may be effective treatment available. I suggest you consult an ENT physician.
It is a little more unusual to lose one's taste. However, the flavor of foods is very much dependent upon our ability to smell, as chewing releases odors from the food that stimulates our smell and imparts a great deal of sensory information, whereas our taste buds only respond to salt, sour, sweet, and bitter. Thus when someone loses their smell, they notice a "taste" loss that is really a loss of flavor perception.
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Allen M. Seiden, MD Professor of Otolaryngology Director, Division of Rhinology and Sinus Disorders Director, University Taste and Smell Center Director, University Sinus and Allergy Department of Otolaryngology College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |
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