All about Anosmia

The scent of roses, the aroma of food, the lingering odour of musk, all add charm to our living. What is life without them?- next to nothing. The strongest sensorial function for all is the capacity to smell. If a person lacks this faculty, he/she is then said to have ANOSMIA.

ANOSMIA

The total inability to smell is called Anosmia. It is commonly called "smell blindness". Anosmia can be either permanent or seasonal.

Temporary Anosmia - This is a temporary lack of the smelling perception due to common cold, sensitivity to dust, pollen, pet dander, etc. It can be regained with the treatment for anosmia by expert nasal physicians. The ENT hospital in Coimbatore has proficient otolaryngolists to treat anosmia capably.

Permanent Anosmia -  Here the ability to smell is permanently lost due to head injury, brain tumours, nerve damage, etc.

CAUSES OF ANOSMIA

The causes of Anosmia can be simple or complex. Some of the acute causes may be any one of the following.

• NASAL OBSTRUCTION - A blockage to the nose is called a nasal obstruction. It may be caused by tumours, enlarged nasal turbinates’ or bone deformities of the nose.
• ALLERGIC RHINITIS - This causes a continuously running nose and swollen nasal lining, along with anosmia. This allergy is also called Hay fever.
• NASAL POLYPS - The swelling mucus coating of the nose may cause nasal polyps. These are benign cyst-like tissue formed on the internal lining of the nose.
• DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM - When the middle bone of the nose has shifted sideways, the nasal pathways gets narrowed. This may cause anosmia.

NASAL OBSTRUCTION

When the nose is blocked, the patient is said to have a nasal obstruction. This usually hinders the flow of air in and out of the nose. It may cause breathing difficulties or even anosmia. Nasal obstruction may be due to the following reasons.

• FOREIGN OBJECTS - Any foreign body present inside the nose like rubber, cotton sponge or wool may cause nasal obstruction. Sometimes food items like bens nuts or peas may also cause nasal obstruction.
• OVERSIZED ADENOIDS - Adenoids are the tissue found at the base of the nose and back of the throat. They are responsible for trapping microbes that cause infection. The adenoids get inflamed when an infection occurs. Due to chronic or repeated infections, adenoids may become enlarged and stay that way. These oversized adenoids may block the sense of smell, causing anosmia.
• NASAL ALLERGIES - The lining of the nose usually gets swollen due to nasal allergies causing anosmia
• CHOANAL ATRESIA - This is a congenital defect where the patient has a blocked nasal passage from birth causing anosmia.
• INFERIOR TURBINATE HYPERTROPHY -  The bony structures of the nose called turbinates may become swollen due to allergy and dust. causing anosmia.

Anosmia due to nasal obstruction may be treated effectively by an expert ENT specialist. Consult the expert ENT hospital in Coimbatore for best results.

ALLERGIC RHINITIS or HAY FEVER

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is a nasal allergy caused due to dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, perfumes, fumes, etc. Although it is called hay fever, it does not cause a fever but heavy nasal congestion, itching of the nose, coughing and sneezing, runny nose, etc. It is one of the causes of temporary anosmia. Hay fever may be seasonal where it is caused only during windy or monsoon months. Or it can be perennially caused by hair, pet dander, dust mites, cockroaches, etc. Allergic rhinitis may have fatal effects like motor accidents, work injuries, etc.

DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM

The nasal septum is the bone dividing the 2 nostrils. Sometimes, a congenital defect or an accidental injury might cause the nasal septum to be displaced. This causes the narrowing of the nasal passage which in turn results in breathing difficulty and anosmia. A deviated nasal septum is a cause for acute concern as it might not stop with just anosmia but cause nosebleeds and sleep apnea as well. Patients with a deviated nasal septum must seek immediate treatment with an expert ENT specialist. Experienced otolaryngologists at the ENT hospital in Coimbatore can correct the deviated nasal septum effectively by septoplasty, septal reconstruction or submucous resection of the septum.

Anosmia can alter your life drastically depriving you of the feeling of fragrances. Get it treated by expert otolaryngologists at the ENT hospital in Coimbatore to get lasting relief and results.