Loss of taste from food

Why is the sense of smell and taste lost?

In the human nose there is an olfactory cavity, the surface of which differs from the mucous membrane.
This cavity contains a huge number of receptors that send information to the brain about various odors. After processing this information, the brain remembers and associates the smell with a specific event. We all know what fresh strawberries or oranges smell like. Sometimes a smell can be associated with something unpleasant - all this is painstaking work of the brain. However, sometimes foreign odors simply cannot make their way to the olfactory cavity due to swelling of the mucous membrane - that is, the smell simply has no way. There are several reasons that lead to loss of smell and taste, let's look at the main ones.

1. The most common and common cause is a runny nose. This becomes especially true if rhinitis is left untreated for a long time. The virus enters the mucous membrane, causing mucus to be produced and swelling to appear. When the body is infected with a virus, the sense of taste is also lost.
2. Injuries, fractures and curvatures of the nasal septum also prevent the smell from penetrating inside.
3. Various growths, polyps, and tumors also block the passage to the olfactory cavity.
4. Sometimes loss of taste and smell is caused by an allergic reaction. When dust, plant pollen, animal hair and other allergens enter the nose, the mucous membrane also begins to produce mucus and swell.
5. Sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, sinusitis and other inflammations in the nasal appendages, as well as chronic forms of these diseases, often lead to loss of taste and olfactory qualities.
6. Often, loss of smell occurs due to an overdose of vasoconstrictor drops. Everyone knows that these drugs are aimed at alleviating the patient’s condition, but do not have any healing properties. You can use such drops no more than 3-4 times a day; they cannot be used for more than 5 days, otherwise addiction will occur. With the constant use of vasoconstrictor drops, the vessels atrophy, they cannot contract and unclench on their own, their nutrition is disrupted, which leads to loss of smell.
7. Sometimes loss of smell and taste can occur due to hormonal changes in a woman's body. This often occurs during pregnancy, after starting new oral contraceptives, and during menstruation.
8. If your work involves constant inhalation of poisons, chemicals, or odors from paint and varnish products, your sense of smell may suffer from this.
9. Smokers often complain about the lack of smell and taste, as they slowly kill their receptors year after year. Often, it is simply impossible to restore the ability to capture odors.

Surely you know the approximate reason for the loss of smell and taste. If you suddenly stop feeling smells and tastes, for no apparent reason, you need to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

how to get rid of a runny nose at home

Types of loss of taste

Loss of taste can be expressed in varying degrees - from its distortion to complete loss of taste sensitivity. Sometimes people mistake problems with the sense of smell for the disappearance of the palette of taste. In general, complete disappearance is a fairly rare problem. But with age, after about 60 years, the sense of taste often becomes dull. This fate befalls first of all the salty and sweet tastes, a little later – the bitter and salty ones. But often this pathology is only a harbinger of more serious problems in the body.

Folk remedies for restoring the sense of smell and taste

This is how nerve fibers look schematically

If there is a violation of the integrity of the nerve fiber tissue, this can lead to serious diseases:

• Multiple sclerosis. Refers to demyelinating diseases. Loss of smell without visible inflammatory disease of the tissues of the nasal cavity is an early symptom;
• Parkinson's disease or parkinsonism. If early symptoms are detected, you should immediately contact a neurologist for a full examination, exclusion or confirmation of the diagnosis;
• Echinococcosis is caused by parasites that enter the brain through the mouth with dirty food and dirty hands. Cysts form in the brain, containing parasites. In order to diagnose the disease, it is necessary to do a CT, MRI, or tomogram. Nowadays, the problem of examination is easily solved. There are many medical diagnostic centers that allow you to be examined for a fee. A doctor's referral is not required;
• Tumors of any etiology that are associated with an increase in brain volume.

The most significant reasons why the sense of smell disappears were considered. Now let's look at common diseases that can also lead to such consequences. The cause can be determined by simply visiting an otolaryngologist, therapist, or coping with it on your own at home.

In all cases, one rule must be remembered: you should never self-medicate. If you get sick or have a pathological symptom, you must first visit a doctor and establish an accurate diagnosis.

A cold temporarily causes a disturbance in the sense of smell. There is no need to be scared in this case. Nothing bad happened. The mechanism of loss of sensitivity is simple: a virus or bacteria enters the mucous membrane. These are living beings that excrete the products of their vital activity. It is to them that the epithelial cells of the mucous membrane react. In response, mucus begins to be released. In order to wash away pathogenic microbes.

Treatment allows you to use the opportunity to rinse your nose with saline solutions:

1. Sea salt solution. You can do it yourself. Take some table sea salt and dilute it in distilled water. You can also use boiled, filtered water;

Attention! Do not use raw tap water.

1. Furacilin solution. It is antiseptic but contains salt. The taste analyzer recognizes a slightly salty taste;
2. A solution of sea salt with iodine. It's easy to do. Add a few drops of iodine to the sea salt solution. The liquid turns out to be a soft orange color;
3. Essential oils of coniferous trees are well suited for this purpose: fir, pine, cedar. They are prepared in the same way as saline solutions. Add a few drops of oil to the water. The solution is instilled or used in inhalers.

Antiseptic solutions or drugs that are sold in pharmacies for this purpose are also used:

1. Aquamaris;
2. Humer;
3. Dolphin and others.

These manipulations will not allow the infection to remain on the mucous membrane longer, multiply and release its waste into the nasal cavity. After a few days of regular washing, a good result is achieved. There is no need to go to a medical facility. This applies to adults and children. But if the number of initially ingested microbes is large and the mucous membrane cannot quickly wash them off, they begin to multiply.

Release more irritating substances from your life. Goblet cells begin to intensively produce mucin and secrete it into the nasal cavity. This process is accompanied by inflammation of the nasal mucosa. The secreted secretion becomes more viscous and pus is added to it.

The color of the secreted mucus changes. It becomes yellow-green in color. It becomes more viscous and ceases to be released from the nasal cavity on its own. It is also not possible to blow her nose. There is a blockage of the nasal passages with a viscous, yellow-green secretion. The function of the nasal apparatus is impaired.

Reasons for loss of smell may include:

1. inflammatory diseases: acute respiratory diseases, acute respiratory viral infections, sinusitis, sinusitis (unilateral or bilateral), rhinitis of various etiologies;
2. disorders of the immune system: the presence of allergies of various etiologies;
3. effects on the human olfactory apparatus by toxic chemicals, drugs, chemotherapy in the presence of neoplasms;
4. damage to the olfactory apparatus by various radiations: electromagnetic, radiation (radiation therapy for neoplasms);
5. violation of the anatomical structure (deviated nasal septum), benign and malignant neoplasms;
6. the presence of polyps in the nasal cavity, adenoids.

In order to cope with a nasal cavity infection, etiological and pathogenetic treatment is used. The first is aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease. As a rule, this is a viral infection, influenza, or bacterial infection. The second is purely symptomatic treatment. If there is copious mucus secretion from the nasal passages, for example, then means are used to reduce its secretion.

Etiological treatment is always more effective. With the correct diagnosis and identification of the pathogen, it is often enough to buy one drug that will destroy the pathogen.

For example, you have been diagnosed with acute herpetic rhinitis. It will be enough to buy any antiviral ointment:

• Oxolinic;
• Viru-Merz serol;
• Bonaftonova;
• Tebrofenova;
• Acyclovir;
• Zovirax;
• Acigripin et al.

After this, all residual effects, including heavy nasal discharge, will go away on their own. Or rather, the body itself can cope with them with the help of its own immune system.

Attention! We must not forget that our body has its own defense against all infections. It's called the immune system. If a person is often sick, then one should pay attention to immunomodulating and immunostimulating drugs.

Special means have been developed to increase the body's resistance to upper respiratory tract infections. They have both a strengthening and tonic effect on the body. After taking a course of such drugs, a person practically stops getting colds for a fairly long period of time.

Immunostimulating drugs include:

• Echinacea preparations;
• Imudon;
• Bisque;
• Kagocel;
• Lykopid and others.

Physiotherapy is often prescribed for the treatment of colds:

• UFO (ultraviolet irradiation). This radiation has a purely bactericidal effect;
• Magnetotherapy. Has an anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory effect;
• UHF (athermal dose). It also has an anti-edematous, anti-inflammatory effect;
• Inhalations.

Pharmacies now sell a large number of inhalation devices that can be purchased for home use. How to treat a cold with these devices is clearly described in the instructions for them. You can also purchase a magnetic therapy device. But they can only be used with the recommendation or prescription of a doctor.

In addition to the use of official drugs, the remedies used in folk medicine have not lost their relevance. The difference between natural remedies and drugs purchased at the pharmacy in terms of effectiveness is insignificant. There are a number of advantages:

• These funds are always affordable, they can be collected on your site or in the nearest forest. And also buy inexpensively in the store;
• These drugs cannot be overdosed. And if this happens, the body will cope with it on its own without the need to call emergency help;
• All these drugs can be decongestants, anti-inflammatory, antibiotics, antitumor agents at the same time. Which is impossible for drugs purchased at a pharmacy.

The most common antiviral and antimicrobial agent is garlic. Garlic is also an immunostimulating agent. It is good for both treatment and prevention of colds.

diseases. For treatment, peeled garlic cloves are used in the form of a water infusion for instillation into the nose. For rinsing the mouth for stomatitis of various origins. For prevention, you just need to eat a clove of peeled garlic a day. But we must remember that garlic has an irritating effect on the walls of the stomach. Therefore, it is consumed in moderation. If your stomach starts to hurt, then either mix it with salads or replace it with another folk remedy.

St. John's wort has an excellent antibacterial effect. Make a regular infusion. It is used externally for rinsing, and also used internally. At the same time, it has an antidepressant effect. Helps a sick person get a good night's sleep.

Among indoor plants, the golden mustache is well known. There is no disease that this pet cannot treat. Many books have been written about its healing properties. To treat colds, an excellent infusion is prepared for rinsing the mouth and drops for instillation into the nose. To do this, take two leaves of the plant.

The well-known cinquefoil plant has a detoxifying effect. The plant itself is used for this purpose and medicinal forms are prepared from it. Buy capsules of Marsh Sabelnik at the pharmacy. Manufactured in St. Petersburg. With a good immune response of the body, taking even one capsule has an excellent anti-edematous effect and dries out the nasal cavity. It also helps to quickly cope with the disease.

1. Prepare small cotton swabs that need to be soaked in honey and placed in the nose. Honey has antiseptic properties and will help restore receptor function.
2. The pungent smell of horseradish, onions, mustard and garlic will help restore your sense of smell. Inhale these aromas as often as possible.
3. You can restore the ability to capture odors using smoke. Burn a sprig of wormwood, onion or garlic peel and inhale the smoke. Very soon you will be able to enjoy foreign smells and tastes again.
4. Apply a little eucalyptus oil or Star balm to your chest or clothing so that the menthol vapor constantly enters the nasal passages.
5. Melt a small amount of lamb fat and mix it with the diluted mumiyo. Take a cotton swab and soak it in the prepared mixture. Lubricate the nasal mucosa with this product - it is very effective against runny nose and colds.
6. You can restore your ability to smell and taste by warming your feet. Prepare the following solution: add a tablespoon of salt, the same amount of soda and two teaspoons of mustard to hot water (45-50 degrees). Dip your feet into the prepared mixture up to the ankles. Soak your feet in the water for at least 10 minutes, then pat your feet dry. Lubricate your feet with iodine and put on cotton socks and wool socks on top. The procedure is usually done at night. In the morning you will forget about the runny nose and all related problems.
7. Propolis is a very useful product that can relieve many diseases. You can prepare propolis tincture yourself or buy it at a pharmacy. Pieces of propolis must be filled with alcohol and kept in a cool, dark place for at least a week, shaking occasionally. Soak cotton balls in the prepared tincture and place them in the nasal passages for 10-15 minutes. In just a week you will be able to enjoy your favorite scents.

Why does the sense of smell disappear?

In most cases, a person in such a situation still distinguishes the main types of taste: salty, sweet. But differentiating complex flavor combinations is difficult. Unusual snacks provoke this. As a rule, oriental dishes, in which a large number of seasonings are often used for cooking.

Under certain circumstances, taste sensations may disappear altogether. For example, when treating a severe cold, your doctor will prescribe antibiotic injections. Now they use more complex and more toxic drugs. In case of overdose, problems with taste arise.

In these cases, there is no need to panic. It is necessary to discontinue the possible drug, after the injection of which the complication was caused. When the effect of the drug wears off, the body can restore taste sensations on its own. In this case, do not take this medicine anymore. Complex problems can be solved quite easily.

The previous sections describe situations of loss of smell and taste. The rules in such cases are the simplest:

• no need to panic;
• you cannot self-medicate;
• find out the cause of such symptoms;
• contact a medical institution for advice from a specialist.

If your sense of smell and taste have disappeared for no apparent reason, you must contact a medical facility to rule out serious brain pathologies.

A very interesting video (translated from English) will tell you why the sense of smell and taste disappears.

Such violations are usually associated with the following factors:

• anatomical pathologies (during a runny nose aggravate the course of the disease) – a relative cause;
• cold;
• damage by viruses and bacteria to the nasal mucosa;
• exposure to allergens;
• vasomotor rhinitis;
• nasal polyps;
• neoplasms;
• adenoid vegetations against the background of chronic runny nose;
• ingestion of toxic substances into the nose;
• postoperative anosmia or hyposmia due to rhinitis;
• chronic runny nose;
• sinusitis;
• use of nasal drops (with long-term use);
• a combination of runny nose and injuries to the nasal cavities and passages.

All these interferences create persistent swelling of the nasal mucosa, in which the olfactory cells cannot transmit signals to the brain, hence the lack of smell.

It is encouraging that with rhinitis, taste and smell do not always disappear, and not every patient complains that they completely do not feel these sensations when they have a runny nose. Even if there is a slight problem with the perception of taste and smell, then, as a rule, everything returns to normal within a week.

When this dysfunction does not go away for a longer period of time, any person begins to worry, and the question arises: “What to do - I haven’t felt the surrounding smells and taste of food for more than a week?”

A comprehensive answer can only be obtained from a specialist. To do this, you need to see an otolaryngologist and undergo a diagnostic examination.

You should be especially careful if you have polyps and tumors in the nose, because... any folk remedies or medications can cause bleeding or tumor growth. These pathologies must be differentiated by an ENT specialist and monitored by an oncologist.

For a common cold, when taste and smell have disappeared, simple remedies that have been tested over the years will help. Let's look at them.

If you are not ready to put up with the current state of affairs, you need to try to regain your senses in order to once again enjoy the aromas of the world around you.

1. Treatment. First you need to relieve swelling of the mucous membrane, and for this you need to eliminate the very cause of the runny nose. If your runny nose is allergic, take antihistamines; if you have a cold, start taking anti-inflammatory drugs. Use vasoconstrictor drops, but not if you have been dependent on them for a long time.
2. Gymnastics. Gymnastics for the nose is very effective. It improves blood circulation in the nasal cavity, which allows the receptors to become active. Try to open the wings of your nose while tensing your muscles. Stay in this position for a minute and repeat the exercise several times.
3. Massage. Massage the wings of your nose with your fingers several times a day. This promotes blood flow and improves receptor function.
4. Warming up. You can warm the nasal cavity with an ultraviolet lamp, or if you don’t have one, use a regular lamp. Direct the light and heat beams towards your nose so that the lamp is 25cm away from your face. Warming up should be daily for a week.
5. Inhalations. It is very effective to breathe hot air, which disinfects the nasal cavity from the inside, defeating the virus. If you add essential oils of mint and eucalyptus to the inhalation liquid, this will help you immediately get rid of swelling of the mucous membrane. To restore the ability to capture odors and tastes, you can make the following composition for inhalation. Prepare a decoction of calendula, add lemon juice, mint essential oil and a little cumin to it. Inhale the vapors of the prepared decoction - they are very useful both for restoring the sense of smell and against the runny nose itself.
6. Washing. It is very effective against runny nose and for restoring the functioning of taste buds. Rinse your nose with salt water using a small teapot - insert the spout into one nostril so that the liquid comes out of the other nostril. If this procedure is not within your power, drip medications based on sea water into your nose - Aquamaris, Delphi, Humer.
7. Drops. If you feel that the mucous membrane is dry, use nasal drops based on medicinal oils, for example, Pinosol.

Don't forget about the air quality in the room you are in. It is very important that the air in the room is moist and the nasal mucosa does not dry out.

how to cure a runny nose in a child using folk remedies

After a runny nose is completely cured, the sense of smell and taste may be restored within 7-10 days. If smells and tastes have not returned to your life after the specified time, perhaps a more serious malfunction has occurred in the body. In this case, you need to contact a specialist. Take care of your health and don’t get a runny nose so as not to suffer from a dull and monotonous world.

how to treat a runny nose in a baby

When you have a runny nose, the mucous membrane swells, the nose is stuffy, mucus constantly accumulates in the cavity - all this quickly reduces the functioning of receptor cells and prevents aromatic molecules from entering the olfactory zone. As a result, the ability to distinguish odors is greatly reduced.

If you have lost your sense of smell due to a runny nose, do not be alarmed - this is a natural and reversible process. Its treatment consists of reducing swelling of the mucous membrane and eliminating the underlying disease.

In the absence of data on the smell of the product, the brain cannot fully analyze the subtle nuances of taste of complex dishes, although it still accurately identifies simple and bright ones - sweet, salty, bitter, sour. Therefore, without feeling the smell, a person cannot receive the usual pleasure from food.

• Virus infection. Itchy sensations are first accompanied by sneezing, then replaced by congestion and unpleasant discharge.
• Rhinitis, sinusitis. The course of a common cold becomes complex, marked by a sharp deterioration in health, a jump in temperature, the appearance of headaches, and loss of taste and smell.
• Nasal medications. Overdose, excessive use of vasoconstrictor medications damages the nasal mucosa, making it impossible to smell.
• Harsh irritants. Contact of the nasal and oral mucosa with certain foods (garlic, onions, coffee, vinegar, alcohol) can temporarily deprive the sense of smell and block taste receptors, respectively.
• Allergy. The formation of swelling and copious discharge appear as a result of an allergic runny nose, which sometimes leads to loss of olfactory properties. Immediate isolation of the allergen is necessary, as well as taking antihistamines as prescribed by a doctor.
• Hormonal disbalance. The elimination of taste and olfactory characteristics is caused by menstruation, the use of oral contraception, and pregnancy. Hormonal imbalances are temporary, and nose problems will soon be resolved.
• Exposure to chemicals, poisons. Contact with certain substances (aerosols, cleaning products) not only provokes a runny nose, but also leads to olfactory dysfunction. All smokers (active, passive) are targeted. The efficiency of their receptors is reduced due to cigarette smoke entering the nasal mucosa.
• Anatomy of the nose. Structural changes, polyps, adenoids, inflammation, deviated septum - defects that affect sensitivity to odors in the direction of its significant reduction. The problem is solved surgically.

Olfactory disorders have several degrees:

• Hyposmia. Partial loss of olfactory ability. It is caused by a poor sensation of substances with a strong odor and a lack of perception of mild odors.
• Anosmia. Complete absence of smell. Zero perception of odors due to a stroke and the presence of serious infectious diseases.
• Cacosmia. The development of an illusory sense of smell, when normal odors seem unpleasant.
• Hyperosmia. Mental abnormalities contribute to the formation of a heightened sense of smell.

Olfactory distortions deprive you of comfort, causing depression, apathy, irritability and other negative states.

• Sanitation. Elimination of the causes of difficulty breathing by rinsing the nasal cavity with silver-based solutions (“Collargol”, “Protargol”).
• Vasoconstrictor drops. If the edema persists, the drugs “Naphthyzin”, “Nafazolin”, “Tizin”, “Galazolin” are prescribed.
• Immunocorrection. To eliminate recurrent conditions, medications are used that normalize the functioning of the body's protective functions (Kagocel, Imudon, Likopid, homeopathy products).
• Endonasal blockades. Carrying out injections of novocaine and a suspension of "Hydrocortisone", as well as ingestion of tablets with extracts of motherwort, valerian, bromine.
• Physiotherapy. It includes the following activities: UHF, ultraviolet irradiation, darsonvalization, electrophoresis using Diphenhydramine, magnetic therapy, laser therapy, inhalations based on the drugs Dimexide and Hydrocortisone.
• Surgical intervention. Constant nasal congestion, as well as swelling caused by anatomical problems, the presence of adenoids and polyps, is eliminated through surgery.

1. Treat rhinitis and colds at the initial stage of development.
2. During periods of increased incidence, rinse your nose with saline solutions, chamomile, and eucalyptus decoction.
3. Regularly conduct aromatherapy sessions with medicinal essential oils.
4. Practice moderate exercise.
5. Include natural foods fortified with zinc and vitamin A in your daily diet.
6. After suffering from ARVI or flu, harden and strengthen the body’s immune system.

• inhalation. The defeat of the virus itself will help you acquire the ability to distinguish odors again. Hot air vapors help effectively with this, disinfecting the cavity and getting rid of pathogenic bacteria. Swelling can be relieved by adding essential oils. Using medicinal marigolds, lemon juice, and mint essential oil, you can make a composition for inhaling vapors. At the same time, not only the sense of smell is restored, but also the runny nose itself ceases to remind of itself;
• washing. Washing will help restore the working activity of the receptors that are responsible for taste perception. Water with salt will also effectively help in the fight against a runny nose. To rinse the nasal cavity, you can use a small teapot. The composition should be poured into one nostril so that it flows out of the other. A replacement for the procedure will be preparations based on sea water;
• drops. When the mucous membrane is dry, you need to use nasal drops.

• At the first manifestations of colds, the nasal sinuses activate the active production of special mucus, the purpose of which is to fight illness, preventing infection from entering the body. Unfortunately, she does not succeed in this in all cases. In a specific case of a runny nose, the swelling of the mucous membrane directly blocks the area of ​​smell. After therapeutic measures, the nasal mucosa is normalized, and the olfactory area restores its functionality.
• Well-known drops for the treatment of runny nose have a rather negative effect on the complex process of olfactory perception. The effect of this drug is based on a vasoconstrictor effect, so constant and uncontrolled use causes dysfunction of the muscular wall of blood vessels. They stop performing their functional activities, which is why the swelling of the mucous membrane does not go away for a long time even after recovery. Most people naively believe that the effects of such medications are absolutely safe, although pharmaceutical companies often warn about such an effect.
• One of the common causes of impaired sense of smell is allergic rhinitis. The principle of operation is similar to the previous ones: swelling of the mucous membrane, but regular exposure to the allergen does not disappear without a trace. By turning off the sense of smell, the body throws all its strength into fighting the irritant.
• Disorders of perception of taste and smell can be caused by mechanical damage to the mucous membrane of the nose and pharynx.
• The most serious cause of impaired sense of smell can be certain disorders of the central nervous system. In this case, when the first signs of such diseases appear, it is necessary to undergo an examination.

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, nasal breathing is first restored. 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 inhalation; high temperature can cause additional injury 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.

Diagnostics

At the appointment, the doctor will conduct an otolaryngological examination of the nose, throat and ears. If everything is normal, he will suggest checking taste and smell using a simple method: he will let you smell, for example, coffee or spice, and will also ask if the patient feels the taste of food on the tongue while eating. The doctor can also measure the acuity of smell with a special device - an olfactometer.

In addition to the ENT organs, the condition of the tongue and oral mucosa is examined to exclude all possible pathologies leading to loss of taste and olfactory qualities.

If diagnosis is difficult, a more complex study is recommended - MRI or CT scan of the brain.

Based on the diagnostic results, measures are planned to restore lost sensations.

So, let's figure out what to do if taste and smell disappear without a trace - how to treat?

The mechanism of taste sensations

Sensations are formed under the influence of three factors:

• taste;
• smell;
• tactile effects - temperature, burning, tart, etc.

Taste tasters are receptors that cover the edges, tip, and upper surface of the back of the tongue. Their location depends on their purpose. We feel bitterness with the root of the tongue, sweet taste with its tip, and bitter and sour taste with the edges. These groups of cells form the taste epithelium of the tongue. The irritation received by various receptors is transmitted to the brain, and we perceive it as a certain taste.

Clinical picture

According to statistics, the most common disease of the upper respiratory tract is a runny nose. It manifests itself in the form of copious discharge, which appears as a result of acute inflammation of the nasal mucosa. Such acute inflammation serves as a response to hypothermia of the body or the introduction of the influenza virus, which provoke the activation of conditionally pathogenic flora.

This flora is constantly present in the nasal cavity and if the body is weakened, it begins to multiply quickly in the presence of unfavorable factors. A severe runny nose affects both nostrils at once or alternately, causing loss of smell and partially taste. Eliminating swelling and freeing the nose from mucus will lead to a gradual return of these feelings.

The main causes of taste disturbance

A person may not feel food due to:

• loss of sensitivity to certain receptors;
• dry mouth caused by functional changes in the analyzers, heavy metal poisoning, damage to the lacrimal and salivary glands;
• interruption or distortion of signal transmission to the cerebral hemispheres;
• erroneous interpretation of these signals by the brain.

The inability to appreciate the taste of food or drink can be caused by smoking, drug use, and viral infections.

When to sound the alarm

When the sense of smell disappears due to a severe runny nose due to a cold or flu, there is no need to worry; it is enough to accurately follow all the doctor’s prescriptions. The ability to smell and taste will return within 3-5 days after recovery.

If the cause was allergic swelling, then it may take a little longer. Vasomotor rhinitis that occurs due to polyps or a deviated nasal septum will not go away on its own; in this case, surgery will be required to eliminate the cause of the swelling. Often the sense of smell is absent after sinusitis.

You should not choose treatment on your own, since there are many reasons for the absence of odors and only a specialist can find yours. While diagnosis and examination are taking place, you can use traditional medicine recipes that will not cause harm and will help restore your sense of smell and taste.

Visit to the doctor

Although the disappearance of taste is not a reason to panic, it is a good reason to go to the doctor.

It is impossible to independently determine the cause of this disease. Discussing the problem with a therapist will help you find out what pathology is causing this symptom. A patient’s complaint “I can’t taste the food” is a serious reason for a specialist to prescribe a comprehensive examination of the patient. The doctor receives the first information by determining the sensitivity of certain areas of the tongue. To do this, drops of a solution of different tastes and increasing concentrations are applied to certain areas of the tongue.

If the problem is a consequence of previous diseases of the nasopharynx, normal taste returns after the disease passes. For smokers, there is only one option: quit smoking.

Sometimes artificial saliva is used to restore taste. In some cases, the patient is prescribed antifungal and antiviral drugs. If more serious causes of loss of taste are suspected, the patient requires additional examination. After which appropriate treatment is prescribed.

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