Anosmia is the loss of smell and can manifest suddenly and abruptly, while often the condition is hyposmia, which is a decrease in smell that slowly and progressively increases, many times leading to anosmia itself. It is not a minor or necessarily transient symptom: the loss of smell has a strong impact on quality of life, as it accounts for 80% of flavor, which compromises nutritional status; it can also happen that affected people begin to isolate themselves and develop depression, so these signs should lead to a timely medical consultation, according to a report accessed by the Argentine News Agency (NA). On World Anosmia Awareness Day, it was indicated that although it often goes unnoticed compared to other sensory disabilities, anosmia has a significant prevalence. Many people lose their sense of smell progressively and get used to living that way, without seeking medical help. Some people feel disconnected from the world because they lose sensory ties to their environment; they cannot perceive their own body odor or the perfume of a loved one; they eat without enjoying and/or do not capture the aroma of food when entering the kitchen; what can be serious, some do not detect spoiled food, a poorly closed stove, a gas leak or a fire,” explained Dr. Stella Maris Cuevas, an otolaryngologist and allergist, an expert in smell, former president of the Otolaryngology Association of the City of Buenos Aires (AOCBA). With proper diagnosis and treatment, the condition can improve significantly,” stated Dr. Cuevas. Causes of anosmia Anosmia can be caused by viral infections—such as cold, flu, or coronavirus—; by a head trauma with or without loss of consciousness; by exposure to toxic substances; by chronic diseases such as chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (known as nasal polyposis), neurodegenerative—like Parkinson's or Alzheimer's—; by aging (especially from 60 years of age) or due to the presence of certain tumors. However, one of the main causes is nasal polyposis, a condition in which benign polyps appear that obstruct the upper airways, which physically blocks the entry of odors and also causes congestion, nasal secretion, and progressive loss of smell. “Many patients with nasal polyposis live for years with symptoms like a stuffy nose and loss of smell without consulting, thinking it's normal, but it's not. Dr. Cuevas. The smell expert described: “There are ways to approach this problem; the essential thing is to consult in time. A loss of smell should not be taken lightly, especially if it lasts for more than two weeks. However, specialists agree that these figures probably do not adequately reflect reality. The underdiagnosis is extremely high. We are facing an invisible disability. The COVID-19 pandemic—whose virus caused olfactory alterations in most symptomatic cases—temporarily made this condition visible, but, once the acute phase was overcome, in many patients the sequelae persisted. “In recent years, we have received a notable increase in consultations due to loss of smell, mostly transient, but in other cases it became chronic, generating a considerable psychological impact. It is necessary to consult with an otolaryngologist, who will perform an exhaustive interview and after the inspection (nasal endoscopy) will surely indicate the request for images such as a CT scan or resonance, in order to in this way reach a diagnosis and then be able to carry out the appropriate treatment.” At a preventive level, good nasal hygiene is recommended, avoid the consumption of tobacco and toxic substances, get vaccinated against respiratory diseases and use protection in contaminated environments, in addition to not underestimating symptoms such as persistent nasal congestion or alteration of taste, since the latter is usually affected by the loss of smell.
