Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) — It has been months since you lost your ability to taste and smell after contracting the “Covid-19” virus. After many attempts to book an appointment with a specialist, it turns out that the waiting list is long, and may extend for 6 months or more.
Justin Turner, associate professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, USA, said: “There was a huge increase in patient calls after the pandemic began, and we were unable to see 10% of patients who had They wanted to come to the clinic.”
Dr Zara Patel noted, “Unfortunately, this is still the case, and this has left many who have yet to recover from their loss of smell and taste struggling to get help.”
“One of the big problems we realized at the start of the pandemic was that almost no one, except for a few specialists, was aware of anything,” said Patel, a professor of otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Stanford University School of Medicine. About the loss of the sense of smell, and how to start diagnosing it, or treating it.
To solve this problem, Patel reported that she brought together 50 experts to create a document of over 600 pages that combines vetted scientific knowledge with medical best practices on anosmia.
“It is the first peer-reviewed summary of its kind on the sense of smell,” Patel said, adding that the document “is available to be read not only by physicians, but by patients, and by anyone.”
The guidelines, published in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology, set out a plan of action for general practitioners on how to screen, diagnose, and treat anosmia.
doctor visit
Clinical evaluation determines the recommended order for diagnosing loss of smell due to any cause, not just COVID-19.
Patient History: The doctor should know the patient’s detailed history, according to the instructions.
This includes asking questions about the onset, severity, and psychological impact of the loss of smell, as well as possible factors, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, injuries, surgery to the head or nose, and radiation to treat cancer.
Headaches, chronic sinus problems, autoimmune disorders, certain medications, and vitamin or mineral deficiencies can be associated with a loss of smell, as well as colds, flu, and other viral illnesses such as COVID-19.
A person’s age can play a role, too.
Smell test: Physicians must perform a certified smell test.
However, be aware that some tests may not be sensitive enough to detect nuances of loss of smell, which may lead the doctor to conclude that nothing is wrong.
And it can go in the opposite direction, too, as many people don’t realize the nuances when their sense of smell is restored, says Dr. Eric Holbrook, M.D., associate professor of otolaryngology, head and neck surgery at Harvard Medical School in Boston. American.
“There have been research papers showing that humans have difficulty evaluating the gradual change in their sense of smell,” Holbrooke explained.
Comprehensive physical examination: A complete physical examination, including rhinoscopy, and examination of the cranial nerves, should be performed.
If the patient’s history shows evidence of a neurological disorder or chronic sinusitis, further tests should be ordered, as directed.
Possible treatments
The guidelines recommend different treatments depending on the cause of the loss of smell.
latent disease: If the loss of smell is due to an underlying disease, such as chronic sinusitis or a neurological condition, the guidelines suggest that doctors refer the patient to a specialist and offer treatment options.
Surgery and Trauma: If the loss of smell is caused by cranial surgery, omega-3 fatty acids are recommended as a treatment.
If the cause is trauma from a car accident, for example, oral zinc and topical vitamin A are treatment options.
Viral infections: If the loss of smell is due to a viral infection such as COVID-19, or influenza, the recommended treatment is olfactory training during a process in which patients smell twice daily for at least 6 months.
What about bad smells?
People with a loss of smell can start to smell foul odors suddenly.
Food and drink smell foul, metallic, or pungent.
Doctors call this condition “parosmia”, and it occurs when olfactory receptors fail to deliver accurate information to the brain.
People can smell unpleasant odors after suffering from a head injury, neurological conditions, or a viral infection such as “Covid-19”.
The good news is that experts believe this condition is a sign of recovery.
The guidelines state that olfactory training and the use of certain medications are all treatment options.
“Some people may respond to medications that we call neuromodulators — drugs that modify nerve signaling to the brain,” Patel said.
emotional impact
Finally, the guidelines recommend that you discuss with your doctor the emotional impact that loss of smell can have on you, and refer you to therapists or specialists as needed.
Some people adapt without a sense of smell, Patel said, but for others, the condition can lead to depression and malnutrition, especially if smells are distorted.