ANOSMIA

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ANOSMIA

ANOSMIA Anosmia is the inability to perceive odours, also known as lack of functioning olfaction. Olfaction is the sense of smell. Anosmia if handled well may be temporary but that which develops into traumatic anosmia can be permanent. It is not due to any inflammation of the nasal mucosa, destruction of temporal lobe or blockage of nasal passages. Among known causes of anosmia is chronic meningitis and neurosyphilis since this would increase intracranial pressure over a long period of time. Blocked nose or infection may lead to a temporary loss of smell. Contrastingly, a permanent loss of smell may be as a result of death of olfactory receptor neurons in the nose or injury of the brain where damage occurs to the olfactory nerve or areas in the brain that process smell (Masaoka et al., 2010). Congenital anosmia is the lack of the sense of smell at birth normally due to genetic factors. Anosmia may rarely be an indication of development of a degenerative brain disease such as parkinsons and alzheimers. Damage to olfactory receptor neurons stemming from the use of certain types of nasal spray is another specific cause of permanent loss of the sense of smell. These nasal sprays may also cause vasoconstriction of the nasal microcirculation. In order to avoid this, nasal sprays should be used only when really necessary and not for a prolonged period of time. However, non-vasoconstriction sprays like those used to treat allergies related to congestion are safe to use but for prescribed period of time. Nasal polyps also cause anosmia. Polyps are found in people with allergies, histories of sinusitis and family history. Even persons with cystic fibrosis often develop nasal polyps that may lead to anosmia (Doty et al., 1997).

ANOSMIA

Anosmia is capable of affecting the body system in several ways. Trauma damages the nerves leading from the nose to the brain. These traumas include head injury, allergies, common cold, smoking and even chemical (Holbrook and Leopold, 2003). This creates a malfunction in the body system for instance, in order to taste food properly; the full ability of smell is needed. Anosmia therefore can lead to lack of interest in eating which may result in malnutrition, weight loss or depression. REFERENCES Masaoka Y, Satoh H, Akai L, Homma L. (2010). "Expiration: The moment we experience retronasal olfaction in flavor". Neurosci Lett. 473 (2): 9296 Doty, R., Yousem, D., Pham, L. Kreshak, A., Geckle, R.,Lee, W. (1997). "Olfactory Dysfunction in Patients with Head Trauma". Archives of Neurology 54 (9): 113140. Holbrook, H., Leopold, A. (2003). "Anosmia: Diagnosis and management". Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery 11: 5460