The loss of smell has been linked as one of the main symptoms of COVID since the pandemic began, back in March 2020. Recovery from this condition may take some people longer than others, and if this is your case, here we tell you how you can exercise your sense of smell with a series of activities.
It’s not just about loss and recovery of smellsince according to a study published in The BMJsome of the people who recovered from COVID they had a dysfunctional sense of smellsince their perception of smells was not the same as before they were infected.
In fact, in some cases recovery of smell has taken monthswhich is why the scientific community points out that olfactory dysfunction, by not being able to express itself clearly by people, can lead them to experience “anorexia, aversion to food, malnutrition, anxiety and depression”.
Additionally, parosmia has been identified as a sequel to COVID. This condition is a fluctuating distorted olfactory perception, which usually arrives three months after being infected and “transforms a pleasant smell into an unpleasant one, and daily activities like smelling coffee and tasting food can become disgusting and emotionally distressing.”
How can you recover your sense of smell after being infected with COVID?
Sandra López-León, a doctor in epidemiology and genetics, recently shared a series of tips on Twitter to “regenerate the olfactory neuroepithelium” through a training, with which it is possible that the people who got COVID and lost their sense of smell they can get it back.
This training is actually simple and does not require medication. The doctor explains on social media that it is enough to identify a series of strong odors.
How does it work? The specialist points out that four strong odors must be identified such as rose, eucalyptus, lemon, and clove, for 15 seconds twice a day over the course of several months.
In case you do not have these elements at your fingertips, you can also smell cinnamon, citronella, clove, geranium, ginger, lavender, licorice, mint, oregano, rosemary, turmeric, thyme. Remember that there are four smells that you must identify per day.
???? Did you have #Covid with loss of smell? #Anosmia
➡️it is preferable to start with olfactory training as soon as possible
➡️with this rehabilitation you can regenerate the olfactory neuroepitheliumI open ???? with an explanation of how to do this training https://t.co/PLuB7JCuKc
— Sandra Lopez-Leon MD PhD (@sandralopezleon) August 14, 2022