Possible causes of loss of smell, treatment and recovery methods. Loss of smell with a runny nose - what to do

When an adult cannot smell and taste, he cannot live a full life and enjoy it. Such a violation is definitely a deviation from the norm. This informational article is intended for those who have lost their sense of smell. It is better to talk with your doctor about what the diagnosis is and what to do in such a situation. We only highlight the causes and list common treatments.

Types and causes of loss of smell and taste

Types of smell disorders

Let us briefly describe the condition for different types of olfactory disorders:

general anosmia - the sense of smell is completely absent, that is, a person inhales any aroma, but the nose does not smell;
partial anosmia - a person detects some odors, but not others;
specific anosmia - it is impossible to identify one or several smells;
complete hyposmia - a general decrease in the susceptibility of all odors;
partial hyposmia - the perception of some odors is reduced;
dysosmia (also paraosmia and cacosmia) - odors are incorrectly recognized (pleasant ones are replaced by unpleasant ones) or non-existent aromas are felt;
general hyperosmia - complete hypersensitivity to all odors;
partial hyperosmia - hypersensitivity to certain aromas;
agnosia - the sense of smell is present, but the person is not able to characterize the smells.

Doctors refer to a decreased sense of smell as hyposmia. If the sense of smell is lost, then we are talking about another disorder - anosmia. Both cases can be interpreted as acquired or congenital. Acquired disturbance of smell perception is formed due to disorders in the nose or against the background of organic damage to the central nervous system, peripheral and central loss of smell, respectively.

Complete loss of smell innate nature associated with an abnormal structure or defective development of the respiratory tract, nose, and facial part of the skull. A heightened sense of smell is referred to as hyperosmia, distortion of smell perception is called parosmia, and may also occur olfactory hallucinations. To understand why people lose their sense of smell, you need to familiarize yourself with the classification. In accordance with the reasons that provoke peripheral anosmia, it is divided into types.

Forms of anosmia

Respiratory anosmia

Respiratory anosmia develops because air containing odors passing through the nasal passages does not enter the peripheral compartment of the olfactory analyzer. This often happens with malignant and benign neoplasms in the nose, deviated nasal septum, polyps, adenoiditis, hyperturf of the nasal turbinates.

Functional anosmia

Functional anosmia occurs due to swelling of the nasal tissues due to allergic rhinitis and viral infections. The disorder also occurs as a concomitant deviation in hysteria and neurosis. When the cause is eliminated, the patient returns to normal sense of smell.

Essential anosmia

Essential anosmia occurs from toxic or tumor lesions, intense compression, trauma to the nasopharynx and nose, atrophy and hypotrophy of the olfactory epithelium, burns of the nasopharynx, and inflammation. The listed factors inhibit the peripheral part of the olfactory analyzer.

Age-related anosmia

Age-related anosmia is the result of atrophic processes within the nasal mucosa. The mucous epithelium is damaged, nasal cavity It turns out to be overdried and senile loss of smell occurs.

Unilateral anosmia

The development of unilateral anosmia or hyposmia is associated with damage to the olfactory bulb and other pathways. This disorder accompanies abscesses or tumors within the cranial fossa in the front, with anosmia and hyposmia observed only on the affected side.

Brain anosmia

When cerebral anosmia is localized in the olfactory cortical center, the sensation of loss of smell is special. A person manages to determine that a scent is coming from somewhere, but he is not able to characterize it.

In a huge number of cases of peripheral anosmia, along with the loss of smell, taste perception is reduced or distorted; we will talk about this below.

Diseases that take away the ability to smell

Olfactory dysfunction associated with central nervous system, that is, intracerebral anosmia, is most often a symptom, part or consequence of one of the following pathologies:

Alzheimer's disease;
chronic or acute disorder blood circulation in the brain against the background of atherosclerotic or other processes;
ethmoiditis - an inflammatory process in the ethmoid sinus;
brain tumors in the cranial fossa in front, for example, frontal glioma;
meningioma;
meningitis;
disseminated encephalomyelitis;
arachnoiditis - serous inflammation of the meninges;
any head injury (traumatic brain injury);
tumor processes within the cranial fossa;
congenital pathology Kallmann syndrome;
nasal congestion with a runny nose of various etiologies;
temporary loss of smell due to ARVI, flu and colds;
decreased sense of smell with sinusitis;
thick runny nose with vasomotor or bacterial rhinitis;
smell disorder after drops (some vasoconstrictor nasal drops give side effects with long-term use);
polyneuropathy (diabetes disorder).

We have listed the diseases that cause loss of smell. If you encounter such a symptom, this does not mean that you have all these disorders. The exact reason can only be named after an examination. A long course of drugs with a neurotoxic effect, radiation therapy in the head area, or inhalation of toxic chemicals that negatively affect cell renewal can negatively affect the sense of smell. The same can be said about operations in the field of neurosurgery. It should be added that, among other factors, loss of taste and smell in some people is associated with smoking and old age.

Types of taste disorders

The following forms of taste perception disorders are distinguished:

dysgeusia - incorrect perception of tastes, for example, a feeling of bitterness upon contact with sour;
general hypogeusia - the inability to perceive the tastes of any substances;
selective form of hypogeusia - impaired taste perception of certain substances;
general ageusia - the inability to taste basic tastes such as sour, sweet, salty and bitter;
a specific form of ageusia - a decrease in the sensitivity of the taste characteristics of certain substances;
selective ageusia - problems recognizing only certain shades of tastes.

Causes of taste disturbances

The most common triggers for problems with taste recognition are:

partial or complete paralysis of the facial nerve;
traumatic brain injury;
colds;
cancer in the mouth;
geographic language;
thrush in the mouth;
Sjögren's genetic disease;
viral hepatitis in acute form;
radiation therapy;
thalamic syndrome;
deficiency of zinc and vitamin B12;
side effects of medications;
consequences of ear surgery.

People may lose the ability to distinguish tastes due to trauma to the mouth or a long history of smoking.

If you lose your sense of smell and taste, you should consult a doctor, and self-medication can be dangerous

What treatment helps restore the sense of smell and taste?

General data on restoring the sense of smell

The first step in case of impaired functioning of the sensory organs is a visit to the doctor. Only he can determine how to treat the missing sense of smell. Below in general outline Common recovery methods are discussed. It is unknown when the sense of smell will return and whether it will come at all, but you still need to follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

The best results in treatment can be expected with transport deviations in the sense of smell against the background of:

allergic rhinitis;
bacterial rhinitis;
sinusitis;
polyps;
organic damage to the nasal cavity;
tumor processes.

People often regain the ability to smell after:

complete cure for allergies;
general and local antibacterial therapy;
use of corticosteroids;
excision of nasal polyps;
correction of the nasal septum;
surgical treatment for chronic hyperplastic sinusitis.

Many patients ask doctors about how to restore their long-lost sense of smell. The thing is that early contact with the doctor increases the chances of successful treatment. And in cases of advanced disease, the likelihood of a complete cure is much lower. It is for this reason that you need to immediately go to the hospital and look for provoking factors if your ears are blocked, you cannot feel the taste of foods, and your sense of smell disappears periodically during the day or only in the evening. Perhaps these are symptoms of a developing hidden disease.

People often complain of problems with their sense of smell and taste when they have a runny nose. So, for such treatment to be successful, create suitable conditions in your home. Take before bed hot shower. Maintain humidity at home at 60-65%, measure it with a hygrometer and, if necessary, use humidifiers and ionizers. Ventilate your apartment or house more often, avoiding a too hot microclimate. Drink plenty of fluids warm drinks such as chicken broth, herbal teas And pure water, also help you recover faster.

We have named supportive measures, and medications are prescribed by a doctor. Next we’ll talk about what types of treatment exist for the absence of smell and taste.

Contrast baths

In the absence of sense of smell or predisposition to various diseases, it is prescribed complex treatment. It is assumed that contrast baths are useful for frequent colds, as they strengthen the immune system.

Inhalations

If your doctor associates the loss of smell and taste with a runny nose, he will prescribe appropriate treatment. It is often recommended to connect also folk remedies. It’s easy to do inhalation at home, for which you will need:

boiling water - 200 milliliters;
lemon juice - 10 drops;
lavender essential oil - 5 drops;
essential oil tea tree- 5 drops;
mint essential oil - 5 drops.

Once the aromatic solution is prepared, you can breathe in its vapor. Inhale through each nostril alternately. The entire procedure takes 10 minutes or a little more. A full course - 10 inhalations.

Popular nasal preparations

If the patient complains of a lack of smell, then the medications are selected only by the doctor, according to the diagnosis. If the problems are related to a runny nose, the following medications may help:

Reserpine;
Naphthyzin;
Naphazoline.

At correct use of these drugs are narrowed blood vessels, the sensitivity of epithelial receptors returns. After the course, the condition in acute cases is significantly alleviated infectious processes and the runny nose disappears.

To kill viruses that most often provoke respiratory disorders, use Oxolinic ointment. Arbidol also works flawlessly in this direction.

Aqualor spray and Bioparox aerosol also effectively combat the runny nose.

Know that antibiotic therapy can only be carried out under the supervision of a doctor when you are concerned complex shapes runny nose, for example, chronic. If a bacterial rhinitis is diagnosed, then it is advisable to use antibiotic drugs:

macrolides;
penicillins;
cephalosporins.

When the cause of the ailment is an allergic reaction, a runny nose and other symptoms are treated antihistamines, such as:

Claritin;
Suprastin;
Zyrtec.

Rinsing the nose for a runny nose

To remove mucus from the nasal passages and effectively moisturize them, prepare a saline solution consisting of the following components:

water - 1 glass;
salt - 1 teaspoon.

You can also use saline solution, Aqualor, Aquamaris and their analogues. Rinsing is done as follows: draw up the liquid with a syringe, bend over the sink and turn your head to the side. Smoothly pour the solution into one nostril, the stream passes through the nasal septum and flows out of the second nostril. Nasal rinsing complements the treatment of various diseases of the nose and nasopharynx. It is advisable to perform this safe procedure at home three times a day. Some experts recommend adding 2 drops of iodine to each rinse solution.

Folk recipe with propolis for the nose

To quickly restore the ability to capture tastes and smells, you can use natural remedy, it’s not difficult to prepare, for this we take:

propolis - 1 part;
butter - 3 parts;
vegetable oil - 3 parts.

Mix all the ingredients, soak cotton swabs in the mixture and place in both nostrils. The holding time is a quarter of an hour. This simple manipulation is done in the morning and at night.

How to treat taste disturbance?

We list the most popular drugs that are used to restore taste perception:

Hyposalix - moisturizes the oral cavity;
Erythromycin is an antibiotic from the Macrolide class;
Captopril - a treatment arterial hypertension and chronic heart failure;
Methicillin is a drug for intramuscular administration;
Ampicillin is a semisynthetic antibiotic used against infectious
diseases;
Timalin - solution for intramuscular administration;
Zincteral is a drug for saturating the body with zinc;
Immunal is an immunostimulant drug.

You need to be treated especially carefully during pregnancy so that the drugs do not have a detrimental effect on the child. Also, after childbirth, you should carefully choose medications, since many substances pass into breast milk.

Impaired sense of smell and distortion of taste are severe symptoms, indicating malfunctions in the body. Very often, if you consult a doctor in a timely manner, full recovery after illness. Early treatment increases the chances of recovery and return to normal functioning of the senses. You should not write on forums or look for magic remedies on the Internet. Treatment will be different in each case, depending on the underlying cause. If you suspect hearing and/or taste impairment, contact a specialist and fully explain your complaints.

Especially depends on the purity of the surrounding air. In the forest, on the seashore, all smells are felt acutely.

In dusty city air, the sense of smell becomes dull and may disappear completely.

Smell disorders occur in chronic and acute diseases of the nasopharynx, indicating such serious illnesses, like Parkinson's disease, brain tumor.

Anosmia– lack of smell, can be complete or partial. Partial anosmia occurs when the ability to distinguish a single smell, for example, the smell of cloves, is lost.

Increased sensitivity to odors is called hyperosmia. An increased sense of smell is observed in neurological disorders, diffuse goiter, changes in hormonal levels, for example, during pregnancy.

Decreased sense of smell is called hyposmia. Unilateral and bilateral hyposmia are noted. Due to its occurrence – rhinogenic and neurogenic.

Hyposmia is classified according to its location:

essential - the olfactory nerve and the area of the cerebral cortex responsible for smell are affected;
receptor – access to receptors is impaired.

Distortion, perversion of the sense of smell is called dysosmia th (cacosmia). An example would be an aversion to the smell of cosmetic products after suffering from the flu.

Cacosmia is sometimes observed after, and is noted in some mental diseases.

Thus, olfactory hallucinations serve as a symptom of schizophrenia and indicate an unfavorable prognosis for the disease and the rapid destruction of the core of personality.

Olfactory hallucinations are observed with a brain tumor, Fahr syndrome after removal of the thyroid gland.

Causes of deterioration of sense of smell

To find out how to restore your sense of smell, you need to find out the reason for its decrease or loss.

A violation may occur as a result of:

mechanical obstacles in the way of odorant molecules, odor carriers;
destruction of olfactory receptors;
damage to the olfactory nerve and brain.

When mechanical obstacles such as swelling of the mucous membrane and deviated nasal septum are eliminated, the sense of smell is quite successfully restored.

Most often it is necessary to eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane caused by inflammation of the cells of the ethmoid labyrinth, purulent sinusitis, allergic, fetid runny nose.

Along with a deterioration in the sense of smell during a runny nose, there is a decrease in the ability to distinguish the taste of food. There are several recommendations on how to restore taste and smell, but all methods only work with patience and consistent implementation of procedures.

Damage to the sensitive olfactory cells causes hyposmia. Nicotine, morphine, and atropine pose a threat to olfactory receptors. The number of sensitive cells also decreases with age.

Another reason why the sense of smell disappears is the use of neurotoxic drugs, the action viral infection. Poisoning with toxic substances, chemical irritants, side effects of medications - all this can lead to hyposmia.

Deterioration of the sense of smell in some patients is caused by taking imipromine and clomipromine, lithium carbonate, bromocriptine, captopril, nifedipine.

Sharp inhalation of air freshener, trauma to the back of the head, fracture of the base of the skull, brain tumors, surgical operations on the brain can also cause loss of smell.

The cause of deterioration in the sense of smell can be:

epilepsy;
hysteria;
Parkinson's disease;
Alzheimer's disease.

A decrease in the sense of smell, which cannot be practically treated, is observed in diabetes mellitus.

Diagnosis

Sensitivity to odors can be restored only after diagnosing the underlying disease that caused hyposmia or anosmia. To do this, testing with standard odors is carried out, x-ray examination To exclude a tumor of the anterior cranial fossa, a pyridine test is performed.

The patient is asked to smell pyridine, a volatile substance with a repulsive odor. When inhaling pyridine, the patient notes not only bad smell, but also unpleasant taste sensations.

If the pyridine test is negative, the patient undergoes an MRI study of the brain. In patients over 70 years of age and in those who have had a stroke, affected areas of the brain are often observed.

The final diagnosis is established based on endoscopic examination and computed tomography if necessary.

Treatment

It is difficult to restore the sense of smell during hyposmia caused by damage to the olfactory nerve and brain. Return of sensitivity in these cases is rare.

In case of receptor hyposmia caused by swelling of the mucous membrane, the first step is to restore nasal breathing. Treatment of rhinitis (detailed in the “Rhinitis” section), allergic rhinitis (detailed in the “Runny nose” section) can partially or completely restore the sense of smell.

Restoring the sense of smell after a runny nose

Vasoconstrictor drops such as Nazivin and Otrivin will help restore your sense of smell when you have a runny nose. The drops quickly eliminate swelling, contact between the odorant and receptors is restored, and the sense of smell improves.

The sense of smell is restored after inhalation. It is not recommended to resort to steam inhalations, heat may cause additional trauma to the nasal mucosa and damage the olfactory epithelium.

To restore the sense of smell, Nasonex or another glucocorticoid aerosol, vitamin B12, pentoxifylline, and piracetam are prescribed. The sense of smell improves within a month.

Impaired sense of smell caused by trauma, chemical, thermal burn of the olfactory area of the nose is difficult to treat; loss of smell for these reasons rarely leads to recovery.

Aromatherapy

With a certain amount of persistence and patience, aromatherapy gives a good effect. The olfactory zone of the nasal mucosa is stimulated with aromas, forcing the olfactory nerve to work.

To restore the sense of smell, substances with pungent odors are brought to the nose at a distance of 15 cm. You can use coffee, lemon, vinegar solution, ammonia, gasoline, pepper. Over time, the nerve, if its integrity is not broken, will learn to perceive signals and conduct them to the olfactory bulbs and brain analyzer centers.

The sense of smell improves if you specifically train to recognize odors. It is useful to try to recognize substances by smell while blindfolded. To recognize the smell, take several short breaths through the nose.

If after a cold and runny nose a poor sense of smell persists for a long time, then in order to restore it, they use both traditional therapy methods and folk methods.

Treatment with folk remedies

Treating the sense of smell with folk remedies should be treated with caution; if the olfactory nerve is damaged, it will not be possible to restore sensitivity to odors by self-medication.

Home remedies can restore your sense of smell in cases such as receptor hyposmia, which is caused by impaired access to the olfactory receptors.

Useful for improving your sense of smell:

Facial gymnastics

Facial muscle exercises and massage improve blood circulation, which has a positive effect on blood circulation in the nasal cavity:

Take short breaths for 6 seconds, as if sniffing, then relax your muscles for a few seconds.
Place your finger on the tip of your nose, then simultaneously press on your nose with your finger and press your nose on your finger, pulling upper lip down.
Place your finger on the bridge of your nose, apply pressure, while trying to move your eyebrows.

Each exercise is repeated up to 4 times. You should try not to strain all other facial muscles.

Medicinal plants

Loss of smell due to flu, colds, and runny nose can be cured with basic medication and folk remedies.

To safe effective ways restoration of smell includes the following procedures:

Prevention

Complete smoking cessation, treatment of inflammatory infectious diseases of the nasal cavity, and limiting contact with aggressive volatiles will help preserve and improve the sense of smell. chemicals, how in professional activity, and in everyday life.

Forecast

Anosmia and hyposmia caused by infectious diseases are treated, the prognosis is favorable.

An unfavorable prognosis is often observed when the functions of the olfactory nerve, an analyzer in the cerebral cortex, are impaired, or when the olfactory epithelium is destroyed.

Smell(olfactus) - a type of sensitivity aimed at the perception of odors. The sense of smell gives us the opportunity to enjoy pleasant smells, and sometimes it can save our lives: prevent us from drinking vinegar instead of vodka, tell us that we shouldn’t eat a pie with rotten meat, or remind us that we shouldn’t flip the switch if we smell gas.

However, the smells around us have properties that many may not even suspect. Something like the human sense of smell exists even in microorganisms: chemotaxis - the ability to move to food sources and away from dangerous substances - is exhibited by all mobile unicellular organisms.

Olfactory organs

In humans, the olfactory organ is located in upper section nasal cavity. The olfactory region of the nasal mucosa includes the mucous membrane covering the superior turbinate and top part nasal septum.

The receptor layer of the mucous membrane is represented by olfactory neurosensory cells that perceive the presence of odorous substances. Beneath the olfactory cells lie supporting cells.

The mucous membrane contains the olfactory (Bowman's) glands, the secretion of which moisturizes the surface of the receptor layer. The peripheral processes of the olfactory cells bear olfactory hairs (cilia), and the central ones form 15-20 olfactory nerves.

The olfactory nerves penetrate through the openings of the cribriform plate of the same bone into the cranial cavity, then into the olfactory bulb, where the axons of the olfactory neurosensory cells in the olfactory glomeruli come into contact with the mitral cells.

The processes of the mitral cells in the thickness of the olfactory tract are sent to the olfactory triangle, and then, as part of the olfactory stripes (intermediate and medial), enter the anterior perforated substance, the subcallosal field and the diagonal strip (Broca's stripes).

As part of the lateral stripe, the processes of mitral cells follow into the parahippocampal gyrus and into the uncus, which contains the cortical center of smell.

Smell disorders

Smell disorders include:

hyposmia - decreased sense of smell;
anosmia - loss of sense of smell;
hyperosmia - increased sense of smell, rare;
Cocasmia is a perversion of the sense of smell.

Anosmia can be respiratory and essential, congenital and acquired.

Respiratory impairment of the sense of smell is caused by pathological processes in the nasal cavity, in which the access of inhaled air containing odorous substances to the olfactory cleft is difficult (this causes hyposmia) or is completely stopped (which causes anosmia).

IN childhood and in adults, respiratory hypo- and anosmia occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane of the nasal turbinates, choanal atresia, congenital anomaly of the nose, foreign bodies nose, traumatic or other adhesions (synechia) in the nasal cavity, polyposis and tumors of the nose, etc.

Almost any mechanical disturbance in the penetration of air into the olfactory fissure causes a violation of the sense of smell. Essential anosmia occurs when the olfactory receptor or olfactory nerve is damaged.

Deep atrophy of the nasal mucosa, which occurs, in particular, during ozena (fetid runny nose), is accompanied at the beginning by essential hyposmia, and then by hyposmia due to damage to the olfactory receptor by the atrophic process.

A relatively common cause of essential smell disorder is infectious diseases: viral and childhood infections. In rare cases, when a tuberculous or syphilitic process is localized in the nose, essential anosmia may occur. Poisoning with certain poisons, and in some cases with drugs, also sometimes causes dysfunction of the sense of smell.

One of the symptoms of tumor processes in the upper part of the nose and intracranial along the olfactory tract is essential damage to the sense of smell. Irreversible damage to the olfactory sensitivity is caused by trauma to the olfactory zone of the nasal cavity or damage to the conduction tract and the center of the olfactory organ.

Smell loss may be a symptom the following diseases:

Loss of smell

Loss of smell, like loss of taste, is a big problem for humans. After all, the feeling of the aroma and taste of food is, in its own way, a certain joyful moment in the life of every person, which brings incomparable pleasure.

Without the sense of smell, simply put, it is impossible to enjoy life. For many people, the sense of smell is generally fundamental in life, since their work activity directly related to this (chefs, winemakers, perfumers).

Why does loss of smell occur?

Let us highlight the main causes of this unpleasant symptom.

Impaired transport of air containing odorous substances to the olfactory region of the brain

This occurs due to severe nasal congestion due to rhinitis (colds and aplegics) and sinusitis, as well as the presence of nasal polyps and a deviated nasal septum. The sense of smell will be completely restored if these factors are eliminated - runny nose and sinusitis are cured, polyps are removed or corrected nasal septum(this is a simple operation).

Other reasons

This can be caused by advanced chronic rhinitis, taking certain medications (antibiotics, heart and diabetic drugs), inhaling toxic substances and long-term work in dusty industries, and heavy smoking.

Restoring the sense of smell in these cases takes longer. But to do this, you need to restore the nasal mucosa, give up tobacco, observe occupational hygiene at work, or change jobs.

At long-term use medications accompanied by impaired sense of smell, consult your doctor and select other medications.

Damage to the nerves that carry information from the nose to the brain

The third group of causes is the most dangerous and is associated with damage to the nerves responsible for transmitting information from the nose to the brain. They are very thin and vulnerable, so they can often be destroyed due to injuries to the head or the nose itself, as well as improperly performed operations or the presence of tumors.

Some diseases (problems with thyroid gland, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases) are also accompanied by disturbances in the sense of smell. In these cases, you cannot do without the help of a neurologist.

Treatment for loss of smell

Treatment of patients with transport disorders of smell arising from allergic rhinitis, bacterial rhinitis and sinusitis, polyps, tumors and organic lesions nasal cavity may be successful.

Allergy treatment helps restore the sense of smell, antibacterial therapy(local and general), treatment with corticosteroids, removal of nasal polyps, correction of the nasal septum, surgical treatment of chronic hyperplastic sinusitis.

For sensory-neural olfactory disorders, highly effective remedies and treatment methods do not exist. However, spontaneous recovery of smell is often possible.

Some experts suggest treatment with zinc preparations and vitamins, since severe zinc deficiency leads to disturbances and distortions of the sense of smell. However this pathology found only in some limited geographical areas.

The most commonly used vitamin is vitamin A. Epithelial degeneration caused by its deficiency can lead to anosmia.

Diagnosis of smell disorders

Diagnosis of olfactory disorder is based on the study of smell of odorous substances without dosing and more accurately using an olfactometer. The rhinoscopic picture is assessed, and the olfactory area, its configuration and width are carefully examined.

In the respiratory form of smell impairment, treatment is usually surgical in order to restore nasal breathing and ensure the passage of air through the olfactory fissure into the olfactory zone of the nose.

The following operations are performed most often:

nasal polypotomy,
submucosal resection of the nasal septum,
partial conchotomy, etc.

Treatment of smell disorders

Treatment of the essential form of smell disorder should be aimed at combating the causative factor.

For hyperosmia and cocasmia, it is recommended to eliminate the causative factors if possible:

neurasthenia,
vegetative-vascular dystonia,
hysteria,
disease of the central nervous system.

How to restore your sense of smell at home

There are many ways to restore the sense of smell - from physiotherapeutic to surgical. Let's look at those that are convenient to use at home.

Washed river sand is mixed with table salt in a 1:1 ratio, place the resulting mixture in a frying pan and put on fire. Having completely dried the mixture, bring its temperature to 50 C. Then quickly pour it into a pre-prepared rag bag and tie it. The bag is placed on the back of the nose for 15-20 minutes. The course of treatment is 8-10 procedures daily or every other day.

Pour a glass of water into an enamel pan, bring it to a boil and add 10-12 drops lemon juice and 1 drop of lavender or peppermint essential oil. Breathe over the steam for 3-5 minutes with each nostril, taking forced breaths. The course of treatment is 10 procedures daily or every other day.

A coin worth one or two rubles is smeared with honey, placed on the very middle of the bridge of the nose and secured with a plaster. Better yet, use an old copper coin. You need to hold the coin for at least 30 minutes every day. Often after 15-20 procedures, the sense of smell is completely restored.

A small aluminum plate is washed, wiped dry and attached with an adhesive plaster to the bridge of the nose overnight. The effect, that is, restoration of olfactory function, can appear after three procedures.

Add 10 drops of lemon juice and cologne to a glass of water heated to 50C. Gauze or cotton cloth is soaked in this water and applied to the entire surface of the nose for 5-7 minutes. The course of treatment is 10 daily procedures.

Vietnamese balm Golden Star"Place it in the sun for several hours in a closed jar, then rub it into the back of the nose and into the middle of the forehead. The course of treatment is 7-10 daily procedures.

It is useful to learn how to tense and relax the muscles of the nose. This exercise restores your sense of smell well. You need to keep your muscles tense for at least a minute. You need to do the exercise every day for 10 minutes.

Warming with a blue lamp also has a positive effect on hyposmia. Instead of a blue one, you can use a regular 40 W light bulb. Put on sunglasses, remove the lampshade from the table lamp, tilt your head back so that the light enters the nasal cavity. The distance from the lamp to the nose should be no more than 25 cm. Carry out the procedure for 10-15 minutes daily or every other day for a week.

A small piece of quartz is placed in a glass jar and placed in the sun for 3 hours. After this, the stone is placed on the middle part of the bridge of the nose for 15-20 minutes. To prevent the stone from falling, you hold it with your fingers.

The well-known yoga procedure of sniffing warm salted water through your nose also helps improve your sense of smell. For a glass of warm boiled water add salt on the tip of a knife. Having closed one nostril with your finger, slowly draw in water with an open nostril until it ends up in the throat. Then the water is spat out. The same is done with the other nostril. You can release water not through your mouth, but through your nose. It is advisable to use all the poured water. The course of treatment is at least ten procedures.

Prevention of smell disorders

In most cases, it is up to the individual whether they develop a loss of smell or not. Since anosmia or hyposmia is often caused by advanced diseases of the nasal cavity or other organs, in order to prevent deterioration in the sense of smell, it is necessary to adhere to the following recommendations:

Treat rhinitis or other diseases in a timely manner paranasal sinuses, causing persistent and prolonged swelling of the mucous membrane. At chronic runny nose ah must be done regularly hygiene procedures nasal cavity. For example, it is good to use infusions medicinal herbs(chamomile, eucalyptus, mint, calendula) or saline solutions for rinsing the nasal passages. Avoid contact with allergens that cause allergic rhinitis.

Increase immunity by adhering to the principles of use healthy food: rich in vitamins, minerals, useful elements. This will help the body be resistant to inflammation caused by infections.

Very often, anosmia occurs in those who smoke, so it is better to quit this bad habit.

When working with chemicals and toxic fumes, be sure to use respirators and PPE that will not allow harmful chemicals influence olfactory receptors.

Do everything possible to avoid head and nasal injuries: wear a helmet when riding a bicycle or motorcycle, fasten a seat belt in a car, etc.

Questions and answers on the topic "Smell"

Question:Hello! After suffering from rhinitis more than a year ago, my sense of smell was partially lost - I can’t smell cucumber. Please tell me what to do.

Answer: Partial loss of smell after a runny nose occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane. You need face-to-face consultation Laura.

Question:Hello. What causes loss of smell if the nose is not stuffy?

Answer: Hello. Loss of smell occurs due to various reasons. Often, loss of charm occurs after a cold (rhinitis, sinusitis, runny nose), after an acute respiratory viral infection, usually after recovery, when timely treatment charm can be restored. Other reasons, perhaps lack of charm - may be due to traumatic brain injury, inflammation of the sinuses, nasal polyps, inhalation of toxic substances, deviated nasal septum, bad habits(usually due to smoking) side effects some medicines. In general, if the loss of charm lasts for a long time, it’s time to consult a specialist for precise clarification and treatment.

Question:Hello, I'm 23 years old. At the end of September I received a head injury. An epidural hematoma formed. I was treated in the hospital, took pills, had injections. The headache stopped and I was cured. The sense of smell never recovered. Foreign odors live in the nose, they are not always pleasant and change regularly. One chemical smell to another can change several times a week. Is there any point in treating anosmia with folk remedies or is it all useless? Answer please.

Answer: Hello. It is useless to treat anosmia with folk remedies. Take medications such as Cavinton, Fezam, and inject a course of Prozerin.

Question:Hello. What to do if you lose your sense of smell with a runny nose?

Answer: Hello. After an established diagnosis (type of smell disorder), the otolaryngologist draws up a treatment regimen. As a rule, local and general therapy. Treatment of impaired sense of smell after a runny nose begins with sanitization of the nasal cavity and elimination of all causes that make breathing through the nose difficult. Prescribe vasoconstrictor drops (tizin, naphthyzin, galazolin, naphazolin) if swelling persists. Procedures are used to rinse the nasal cavity with saline solutions, and also instill the nose with silver solutions - protargol or collargol. In some cases they resort to surgical intervention when polyps, adenoids or other anatomical problems are permanent reason nasal congestion and swelling of the mucous membrane, and colds only intensify this chronic process.

Question:Hello. Is it true that excessive stress on the sense of smell can weaken it?

Answer: Hello. Perfumers, chefs, and some other specialists take care of their working instrument - the nose - no less than a pianist takes care of his hands. Due to the fact that they constantly train their receptors, their sense of smell is better developed than ordinary people, they are able to distinguish shades of odors that are inaccessible to other people. The mere fact of daily stress on the sense of smell is not a reason for its deterioration. However, working with odorous substances (spices, aroma oils) can be dangerous in that these substances often cause allergies. Swelling of the mucous membrane will lead to an inevitable decrease in olfactory function.

Question:Hello. In March 2016, I suffered from rhinitis for a long time. As a result, my sense of smell has almost completely disappeared, although now there is no nasal congestion. I almost don’t smell, I only smell a little soap, acetone, alcohol, etc., i.e. liquids with a pungent odor. I don’t smell food at all (very annoying), and initially I didn’t feel the taste of food or drinks. Now the taste has been restored, but the sense of smell has not. Please help me how I can restore my sense of smell. The situation is aggravated by the fact that there is no ENT doctor in our village; they sent me to the city to do rinsing and inhalations, but there was no result. Until March 2016, there were no problems with my sense of smell; on the contrary, I felt the slightest odors.

Answer: Hello. In this case, it is advisable to examine the upper floors of the nasal cavity with an endoscope and only then work out therapeutic tactics. Neurological changes should also be excluded. Consult a neurologist.

Deterioration of the sense of smell or hyposmia reduces a person’s quality of life; he ceases to perceive various odors. The question of how to improve the sense of smell in the nose becomes paramount for those faced with such a disorder. For this purpose, a complex of therapeutic measures is used, the action of which is aimed at restoring the functioning of nasal receptors.

Olfactory dysfunction can be congenital or acquired. There are ways to restore the sense of smell, even if a person lost it several years ago. For this purpose, means are used traditional medicine, medicines, special gymnastics.

Help from traditional medicine

If the loss or partial loss of smell perception is caused by the formation of mechanical obstructions in the nasal cavity or swelling of the mucous membrane, then alternative medicine recipes will help restore the sense of smell. In addition, they will help get rid of the accompanying runny nose and clear the sinuses. Folk remedies can be used to bury your nose and rinse it, make inhalations and compresses.

1 tsp. salt, sea or regular;
5 drops of iodine;
300 ml of boiled and cooled water.

The solution is prepared as follows: thoroughly stir the salt in hot water until completely dissolved, then add iodine. To rinse, close one nostril with your finger and suck in the solution with the other. Then the manipulation is repeated with the other nostril. Thanks to this procedure, the sinuses are cleared of mucus.

To eliminate swelling and inflammation of the nasal mucosa, which interferes with the normal sense of smell, it is recommended to instill drops of celandine. Ready-made herbal tincture can be purchased at any pharmacy. Recommended dosage: 2 drops in each nostril for 2 weeks. Inhalations will help restore normal sense of smell essential oils. They have good effect to eliminate signs of anosmia.

Pour 15 drops of oil extract of mint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lemon balm into 400 ml of boiling water. You can add 30 ml of lemon juice and 40 g of chamomile herb. Boil the liquid for 5 minutes. Then they proceed directly to the inhalation procedure. The head is lowered over the container with the solution and covered thick fabric. You need to breathe the steam for 5–7 minutes. The course of treatment consists of 15 procedures.

A propolis-based compress will help improve your sense of smell. This beekeeping product helps destroy pathogenic bacteria and relieve signs of inflammation. To prepare it you will need:

50 g butter;
3 tsp. vegetable oil;
15 drops of propolis tincture.

Cotton turundas are well moistened in the healing liquid and inserted into the nasal passages for 15–20 minutes. The procedure is repeated 3 times a day.

Folk remedies are effective for deteriorating sense of smell

Medicines

The use of drug therapy to eliminate smell disorders is carried out under the supervision of a physician. The specialist must find out the reasons for such dysfunction and, in accordance with this, prescribe drug therapy. When the loss of smell was the result of exposure to an allergen on the body, antihistamines. These include Loratadine, Nasonex, Telfast, Suprastin, Flixonase, Eden.

Immunocorrective agents are also prescribed to help avoid relapse (Imudon, Echinacea, Lykopid, Kagocel). To eliminate the inflammatory process caused by an allergic reaction, anti-inflammatory drugs containing corticosteroids are used - Fludrocortisone, Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, Dexamethasone.

Restoring your sense of smell will not be possible without the use of remedies local action, which are buried in the nose. Their effect is based on a vasoconstrictor and disinfecting effect:

Galazolin.
Tramazolin.
Nazol
Naphazoline.

Treatment with such drugs should not last more than 1 week, as they are addictive, resulting in their loss of effectiveness. Before using vasoconstrictors, it is recommended to clear the nasal passages of mucus. For this purpose, saline solutions are used, which can be purchased at the pharmacy: Aqualor, Aquamaris, Splin, Marimer, Humer.

Facial massage and gymnastics

Performing facial exercises and massage helps improve blood circulation in the nasal area. The gradual return of the sense of smell occurs due to the normalization of blood circulation in this place. To speed up this process, it is recommended to combine massage and gymnastics at the same time.

Special gymnastics includes the following exercises:

Through the nose, with the mouth closed, slowly take 5 breaths in and out.
Alternating rapid inhalation and exhalation every 10 seconds. The exercise is similar to sniffing. After 30 seconds of relaxation, the exercise is repeated. It is recommended to perform 5 sets of 3 times.
Press on the tip of the nose with one finger and at the same time protrude lower lip.
It is easy to press your finger on the bridge of your nose and at the same time move your eyebrows as much as possible. The exercise is performed 10 times.

Important! When performing these exercises, all muscles, except those in the nasolabial area, should be relaxed.

Massage will help improve your sense of smell

Preventive measures

Since the main reason for the decrease or loss of smell is chronic diseases nose, in order to prevent impairment of the sense of smell, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

promptly treat nasal diseases that cause prolonged swelling of the mucous membrane;
in case of chronic runny nose, regularly clean the nasal passages;
Strong unpleasant odors should be avoided;
avoid contact with allergens that can cause nasal congestion;
strengthen the immune system through proper diet and vitamin intake;
regular wet cleaning of the premises;
use of protective masks when working with toxic or chemical substances;
minimize the risk of nasal injury.
quit smoking.

To improve your sense of smell, it is important to take vitamins C increased content zinc Its deficiency causes hyposmia. Zinc is found in foods such as pumpkin, sunflower, or sesame seeds. egg yolk, coarse wheat flour. To preserve your sense of smell, you should not overuse foods that provoke increased formation of mucus in the nose. Its accumulation interferes with the perception of odors.

Why smell disturbances occur, how it can be restored, the use of folk remedies, therapeutic exercises, massage and drug therapy, measures to prevent anosmia.

Causes of loss of smell

Disturbances in distinguishing odors can be of several types: hyposmia (the sense of smell is partially preserved), anosmia (complete absence of smell), cacosmia (incorrect perception of odors).

There are many factors that lead to disturbances in the sense of smell. The main one is the entry into the body of a viral infection, which causes the mucous membrane of the nasal septum to swell greatly. In this case, a mechanical obstacle appears in the path of the aromatic substance to the area of smell.

There are also other reasons: bacterial or allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, sinusitis, deviated septum, previous cranial trauma (the cranial fossa was damaged), various tumors, use of neurotoxic drugs, neurosurgical interventions, congenital diseases, (for example, Kallmann syndrome), insufficient development of the olfactory pathways (congenital), inflammation in the ethmoid bone sinuses, smoking, drug use.

In addition, violations can occur if a person has worked with toxic chemicals for a long time, for example, acrylate, cadmium.

The sense of smell often deteriorates in old age, in people suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

If the disease has been neglected and developed into a chronic form, the neuroepithelium, which is responsible for the sense of smell, is destroyed, and the sensitive olfactory cilia are immersed in secretions.

Ways to restore your sense of smell

It is possible to restore your sense of smell even after several years of losing it. You can improve the condition of the body and get rid of the problem using folk, medicinal methods treatment, as well as special gymnastics. In especially severe cases, surgical intervention is prescribed.

Folk remedies for restoring the sense of smell

Almost all folk remedies for improving the sense of smell help eliminate the problem of swelling of the mucous membrane, which creates a mechanical obstacle to the penetration of odors. They also help relieve runny nose and clear sinuses.

Folk remedies can be presented in the form of drops, rinsing solutions, compresses, and inhalations. Let's look at them in more detail:

Iodine-saline solution for rinsing. Required: 1 teaspoon of salt and 300 ml of boiling water. Add salt to the water and stir the mixture thoroughly. To prepare the solution, you can use either regular salt or sea salt. As an antiseptic, pour 3-5 drops of iodine into the liquid. Directions for use: close one nostril with your finger and carefully pour into the other remedy. This procedure is especially recommended for young children, since drug treatment is contraindicated for them. The drug rinses the nasal sinuses well and clears them of mucus.
Drops based on cyclamen, lemon and menthol. The product has an excellent anti-inflammatory effect. You can prepare it by mixing 5-10 drops of cyclamen juice, lemon and menthol oil. Instill into the sinuses 3 times a day until symptoms disappear.
Drops of celandine. The juice of this plant is sold in any pharmacy kiosk, it helps relieve inflammation, swelling, and disinfects the mucous membrane. It should be instilled 2 drops daily, for a course of 10-15 days.
Drops of peach oil and mumiyo. Necessary ingredients for preparation: 15 grams of essential peach oil and 2 grams of mumiyo. Having mixed these components, instill the solution 4 drops into each nostril 3 times at a time. You can also prepare a healing remedy for instillation by taking 5 milliliters of camphor instead of peach oil.
Inhalation with essential oils. The use of esters in medical procedures gives excellent results for anosmia. Preparation: add 10-15 drops of mint, tea tree, eucalyptus or lemon balm oil to 400 milliliters of boiling water. You can also add 40 grams of dry chamomile, lavender and 30 milliliters of lemon juice. Boil the mixture for 5 minutes. Then you can move on to inhalation: lower your head over the container with the solution, and throw a dense fabric on top that does not allow steam to pass through. We breathe for 5-7 minutes. To treat anosmia you will need a course of 15 procedures.
Potato inhalation. To carry out the procedure, you need to boil several potatoes in a small saucepan, cover your head with a thick cloth and breathe in the steam until the liquid cools. The course of procedures is 10-12.
Blend of herbs for inhalation and inhalation. In a blender or by hand, you need to grind the dry herbs of mint, chamomile and eucalyptus in equal parts. Inhale the resulting powder pure, without adding additional ingredients. Once on the mucous membrane, the medicinal components begin to be absorbed, disinfecting the surface and relieving swelling. This mixture can also be used for inhalation. You need to pour 2 tablespoons of powder with 400 milliliters of boiling water and let it simmer over low heat for 5 minutes. Next, inhale the healing fumes for 30-40 minutes, covering yourself with a towel over the container.
Compress with propolis. Bee products have antibacterial and soothing properties. To prepare the mixture for the compress you will need: 3 teaspoons of vegetable oil, 50 grams of butter and 15 drops of propolis ether. A cotton swab must be inserted into the nasal sinuses, previously well soaked in medicinal composition. Keep the compress for 15-20 minutes. We repeat the procedure 3 times a day.

A method of restoring loss of smell through gymnastics and facial massage

Gymnastics and facial muscle massage will help improve blood circulation. As a result of this effect, blood circulation in the nasal part is normalized and the sense of smell gradually returns.

We carry out the procedure according to this scheme:

Alternate quick inhalations/exhalations for 10 seconds. We perform the exercise as if we are sniffing, wrinkling our nose. After this, relax the facial muscles for 30 seconds. Perform 5 approaches 3 times.
Place your finger on the tip of your nose. You need to perform the exercise while simultaneously pressing on your nose with your finger and “protruding” your lower lip down. We do 3 sets of 3 times.
Putting your finger on the bridge of your nose, apply light pressure and at the same time try to move your eyebrows as much as possible. Perform 10 times, alternating with breaks of 30 seconds.

Remember! It is necessary to strain only the facial muscles in the nasolabial area, all other muscles should be as relaxed as possible.

General medications to restore the sense of smell

Self-medication for smell disorders is prohibited. It is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis of what caused the loss of the ability to distinguish aromas. Only after this is drug therapy prescribed. Usually special and general treatment is combined.

If anosmia is the result of an allergic reaction of the body, patients are prescribed antihistamines for treatment. In this case, drugs such as Suprastin, Loratadine, Eden, Nasonex, Flixonase, Telfast are effective.

To avoid relapse of the disease, immunocorrective medications are prescribed - Imudon, Kagocel, products with echinacea extract.

To relieve the inflammatory process that has arisen in the nasal passages due to a respiratory infection, anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed general action. These are, for example, corticosteroids Hydrocortisone, Dexamethasone, Fludrocortisone, Prednisolone and others.

Local medications to restore the sense of smell

Topical medications are instilled directly into the nose. They have a disinfecting and vasoconstrictor effect. The treatment will be much more effective if the mucus that has previously accumulated in the nasal sinuses is softened.

Daily steam baths (you can use calendula or chamomile herbs), as well as rinsing, will help to do this. saline solution. It can be bought at any pharmacy: Humer, Aqua Maris, Marimer, Salin, Aqualor. It is also easy to prepare at home. The procedure must be performed at least three times a day.

After sanitizing the nasal cavity, you can proceed to the use of disinfecting drops. They have an antibacterial effect and help remove swelling and narrow inflamed blood vessels.

Naphazoline. Short-term use product. It can only remove painful sensations, but not cure the disease itself. The main active component of the drug is naphazoline. Its content in 1 ml of solution is 0.5 or 1 mg. The medicine is available in the form of drops and spray. The dosage of the drug is individual for each person, depending on the age and body weight of the patient. If the attending physician has not given precise recommendations, then the dosage of the drug is calculated according to the instructions.
Galazolin. The drug has an anticongestive effect and constricts blood vessels. Getting on the mucous membrane, it removes swelling of the nose and upper respiratory tract. A few minutes after use, the nasal passages expand as much as possible, thereby making breathing easier. The drops are effective for 6-7 hours. The tool provides effective action for allergic and viral rhinitis, inflammatory processes in the nasal cavity, hay fever.
Nazol. The active component of the drug is oxymetazoline hydrochloride. Possesses vasoconstrictor effect, removes swelling, facilitates breathing, relieves hyperemia of the mucous membranes. The effect of Nazol lasts 10-12 hours. Swelling of the nasal cavity is reduced due to the outflow of blood. Moreover, the components of the medication moisturize the mucous membranes of the nose, preventing them from drying out or becoming irritated.
Tramazolin. This is a long-lasting and pronounced action drug. A few minutes after contact with the mucous membranes, it constricts blood vessels, reducing congestion and swelling of the nasal cavity. The duration of exposure to Tramazolin is 7-9 hours.

The course of treatment with such drugs should not exceed 7 days, since after a week the body gets used to the medicine and the effectiveness of its use is lost. If you use medications longer than prescribed or in the wrong dosage, this can harm your health. An adverse reaction is the development of medicinal rhinitis, accompanied by constant nasal congestion.

Rules for preventing loss of smell

Usually, main reason loss of smell is an advanced disease of the nasal cavity that develops into a chronic form. To avoid deterioration in the functioning of nasal receptors, you must adhere to the following recommendations:

Do not delay the treatment of sinus diseases, which lead to prolonged swelling of the mucous membranes.
If you have a chronic runny nose, you need to perform daily hygiene procedures for your nasal passages. For example, rinsing with medicinal herbal decoctions or saline solutions.
Avoid contact with allergens that can cause nasal congestion.
Level up immune system, including in your diet foods rich in a variety of vitamins, minerals and trace elements.
When working with chemicals or toxic substances, be sure to use special means, protecting Airways and olfactory receptors.
Do not ignore protective measures to prevent injury to the head or nose: use a helmet when riding a motorcycle, fasten seat belts in a car.

How to restore your sense of smell - watch the video:

If, after suffering from an illness or suddenly, for no apparent reason, you notice a loss of smell, you should not delay going to the doctor or self-medicate. It is necessary to consult with a specialist who will find out the cause of anosmia and prescribe the correct therapy and medications. Often, disturbances in the sense of smell can be a symptom of another dangerous illness, the treatment of which cannot be delayed.