Loss of Smell Cure

The medical term used to define loss of smell is anosmia. By loss of smell, we mean the loss of ability to perceive the sense of smell. Usually, it is temporary and is caused due to some minor problems. In certain other cases, the underlying health condition could be something serious and it can impair the sense of smell for a long time. Loss of smell cure can vary from intake of antihistamines to surgery depending on the factors contributing to the specific condition. The factors that lead to the problem of loss of smell are as follows:

• Common cold
• Allergic reaction
• Sinus infection
• Harmful chemicals
• Nasal mass
• Side effects of drugs
• Aging
• Neurological disorders
• Nutritional disorders
• Trauma of the head

Treatment for Loss of Smell

Loss of smell occurs when the nasal mucosa present in the nasal cavity swells up and prevents the odor from reaching up to the roof of the nose. It can happen because of allergy, sinusitis, formation of a nasal mass, like nasal polyp. Let us find out the possible cure for loss of smell for each of the above mentioned causes.

Common Cold: When you are badly infected by cold, then the nasal passage gets blocked and you lose the sense of smell temporarily. In this case, you have to wait for a few days till the cold gets cured and you will get back the sense of smell. You can get relief from nasal congestion to some extent if you take a warm bath. Sweating also helps to free the nasal cavity. Therefore, if you do some light exercises, the stuffy feeling in the nose will be reduced. Most importantly, take good amount of rest with an undisturbed sleep during the night. For more information read common cold.

Allergies: If you are suffering from any form of allergies, then loss of smell may happen at the same time every year. Identifying the cause of nasal congestion due to allergies is done with the help of an allergy test. After that the doctor will decide which type of loss of smell treatment will be suitable for you. Usually, the medicines prescribed by doctors for loss of smell cure are antihistamines, decongestants, vaporizers, saline nose washes, steroid nasal sprays and sometimes vitamin A injections. Read more on:

• Allergy Relief
• Nasal Allergy Medications

Infection in Sinus: When there is some sinus infection caused by bacteria, it leads to blockages in the nasal passage. Then the loss of sense of smell treatment involves administering of antibiotics and decongestants or antihistamines for a few weeks. Do not take antihistamines and decongestants at the same time. If the infection of the sinus turns serious, then the infected part of the sinus has to be removed surgically. Here's more on sinus infection treatment.

Pollutants: One may lose the sense of smell due to over exposure to dust and smoke. It can also happen because of smoking tobacco. When these harmful substances are inhaled, they cause irritation to the nasal passage and inflammation of nasal mucosa occurs. For this reason, the loss of sense of smell cure involves removal of the irritants from the nasal cavity with the help of saline nose washes. If you smoke, then you have to quit smoking. Do not go near a person who is smoking. Use a mask to protect yourself from inhalation of harmful substances.

Growth of Nasal Mass: This can happen mainly due to nasal polyps or tumors. The treatment of polyp depends on the size of the polyp. If it is tiny in size and small in number, then steroids or other medicines that are used for treating sinus problem can cure loss of smell. If both the size and number of the polyps are large, then it has to be removed by surgery. Small tumors are also removed by simple surgical procedures while if it is something complicated, then it is removed with the help of radiation or chemotherapy.

Other Causes: If loss of smell is due to side effects of some medicines that you take for treating some other health problems, then consult your doctor who will either change or discontinue the medicine. If it is caused by other disorders like age related problem or Alzheimer's disease or head injury, then those disorders need to be addressed to cure loss of smell.

You can see that no matter what the cause is, loss of smell cure is possible. If it is bothering you for just a few days then you need not require any medical attention. However, if it is bothering you for a week or more, then you should consult your doctor. It is advisable not to take any over the counter medicines on your own without consulting your doctor.