Losing your sense of smell can be a perplexing and concerning experience. You might find yourself wondering, “Why can’t I smell anything?” especially when symptoms overlap with those of common illnesses like COVID-19. It’s a question that many people have Googled, seeking clarity and reassurance. The truth is, smell loss, or anosmia, can stem from various underlying issues, not just COVID-19.
According to Dr. Bobby Tajudeen, a specialist in rhinology and sinus surgery at Rush University Medical Center, several factors beyond COVID-19 can impair your sense of smell. These range from nasal congestion and sinus inflammation to viral infections unrelated to COVID-19. In rarer cases, smell loss can even be an indicator of neurodegenerative conditions or vitamin deficiencies.
Differentiating between COVID-19 related smell loss and other causes can be tricky, particularly when you’re simply trying to enjoy everyday scents or detect potential hazards. Understanding the nuances of smell loss is crucial in determining the cause and seeking appropriate treatment.
Common Reasons for Losing Your Sense of Smell
Nasal and sinus inflammation are among the most frequent culprits behind a diminished sense of smell. Conditions like sinusitis, nasal polyps, and allergies can lead to this inflammation, effectively blocking odor molecules from reaching the olfactory receptors in your nose. This physical obstruction means you’re unable to perceive smells properly.
This type of smell loss often develops gradually. Over months or even years, the progressive build-up of inflammation in your nasal passages can lead to a noticeable decline in your ability to smell.
The silver lining is that smell loss due to inflammation is often treatable. By addressing the underlying inflammatory condition, medical professionals can help restore your sense of smell.
Sudden Loss of Smell: Viral Infections and Anosmia
If you experience a sudden, overnight loss of smell, a viral infection is a likely cause. While common colds often cause temporary smell reduction due to nasal congestion, some viruses can directly impact the olfactory sensory neurons.
Dr. Tajudeen explains that typical cold viruses lead to congestion and a blocked nose, hindering breathing and temporarily reducing smell. However, in cases of viral-induced smell loss, the sense of smell doesn’t return even after the congestion clears.
Certain viruses target the olfactory sensory neurons, the cells responsible for detecting odors and transmitting this information to the brain. When these neurons are attacked, it can result in a sudden and complete loss of smell, known medically as anosmia.
Sudden smell loss often occurs after a cold, once other cold symptoms have subsided. This type of smell loss can be prolonged, lasting for months or even years, and in some instances, it may become permanent. Furthermore, individuals might experience distorted smells (parosmia) or phantom smells (phantosmia), such as smelling smoke or gasoline when these odors are not present.
Smell Loss and COVID-19: What’s the Connection?
While COVID-19 related smell loss and smell loss from other viral infections might seem similar, there are key differences. Instead of directly attacking olfactory sensory neurons, COVID-19 primarily affects the supporting cells around these neurons.
The crucial distinction lies in when the smell loss occurs. With most viral infections, smell loss typically follows nasal congestion and a runny nose. However, with COVID-19, smell loss is often one of the initial symptoms of infection.
Dr. Tajudeen points out that smell loss is frequently an early indicator of COVID-19, particularly in individuals experiencing milder forms of the virus. Patients with smell loss as a primary symptom are generally recovering at home rather than requiring hospitalization.
Experiencing smell loss as your first symptom should prompt you to consider getting tested for COVID-19 and self-isolating to prevent potential spread.
Another significant difference is the recovery timeline. Smell recovery from other viruses can be lengthy, sometimes taking months or years. In contrast, COVID-19 patients usually regain their sense of smell within approximately four weeks. Dr. Tajudeen suggests this faster recovery might be because COVID-19 targets supporting cells, which regenerate more quickly than olfactory sensory neurons.
When to Seek Expert Help for Smell Loss
Regardless of whether your smell loss is gradual or sudden, consulting an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is advisable to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.
For progressive smell loss, early intervention is crucial. As the sense of smell diminishes over time, treatment can become more challenging.
The Rush Smell Loss Program, where Dr. Tajudeen practices, offers various treatments for progressive smell loss, including smell retraining therapy designed to stimulate and rehabilitate smelling nerves.
For those experiencing smell loss after COVID-19, Dr. Tajudeen recommends seeking specialist consultation if symptoms persist beyond a month.
He notes that the majority of COVID-19 patients with smell loss recover their sense of smell within about four weeks. A study at Rush University Medical Center indicated that approximately 78% of COVID-19 patients with total smell loss reported complete smell recovery around the four-week mark.
However, for the nearly 20% who don’t recover within this timeframe, various factors could be at play, which a specialist can help identify and address. Dr. Tajudeen mentions that sinus infections, for example, can sometimes develop after COVID-19 and prolong smell recovery.
While smell loss can be concerning, it’s important to remember that help is available. In many cases, with time and potentially targeted treatment, you can regain your ability to enjoy the world of scents once again.
