Anosmia, the inability to smell, affects some 2 million people in the United States and an undetermined number worldwide. While most people take their sense of smell for granted, the subtle olfactory cues lost to anosmia sufferers are more important than you’d think.
Loss of smell is rarely asked about by doctors and is under-reported by patients, yet the impact it can have on quality of life is significant.
Smell, one of our basic senses, alerts us to potential dangers (e. g smoke, gas, rotten food), informs us of relevant information (e. g presence of other people) and enhances our lives by adding to the appreciation of good food (much of taste is determined by smell).
Loss of smell can have significant psychological consequences such as anxiety and depression.
Odour molecules are absorbed by the serous secretions of the nasal mucosa and may alter chemical composition before being detected by the olfactory receptors.
The olfactory epithelium lines the superior part of the nasal cavity. It is composed of pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium, thicker than respiratory epithelium, occupying
about 1cm2 in each nasal cavity. The olfactory nerve cells are stimulated by the various odour molecules in mixed air-mucous phases. The cells transmit messages to the brain via the nerve fibres that pass through the cribriform plate.
What are the causes of loss of smell?
• Local disease in the nose. This may be due to rhinitis, polyps, deviated septum and tumours.
• Head trauma
• Viral olfactory neuritis
• Ageing
• Brain tumour
• Idiopathic
• Hereditary anosma
• Iatrogenic
ENT London is one of UK’s leading Nose Surgery London clinics, and can be contacted on 0207 580 6970.