Information on Smell Disorders
Smell loss is the most common type of olfactory disorder.
Anosmia is the medical term for the absence of the sense of smell, whilst hyposmia refers to a reduced sense of smell. The point at which hyposmia becomes anosmia and vice versa isn’t exactly clear, however, and there are many degrees of olfactory loss; some people lose it completely and suddenly whilst others experience it gradually over time, sometimes not realising that it is deteriorating. Some people are born without a sense of smell – this is known as congenital anosmia.
Anosmia is regarded as being a rare condition but is probably more common than many people think. Various studies have been undertaken in a number of countries to try to establish the prevalence of smell loss. These have suggested that anywhere from 0.1% to over 5% of people have anosmia whilst up to 50% experience hyposmia. Results will of course vary according to who was surveyed in each study, but taking all this into account it is perhaps reasonable to say that potentially around 5% of the population has anosmia or severe hyposmia.
Qualitative Olfactory Disorders
These are usually side-effects of olfactory loss rather than conditions in their own right. Parosmia refers to distortions of the sense of smell, where an odour can be perceived but it doesn’t smell the way it should (and it is usually unpleasant). Phantosmia, as the name suggests, refers to ‘phantom’ smells; being able to detect an odour when there is no actual smell present.
Causes of Olfactory Disorders
• Chronic Rhinosinusitis
• Deviated septum or foreign body obstructing the flow of air
• Allergic rhinitus caused by pollen, dust, animal hair etc
For some people, however, the symptoms of the cold clear but the sense of smell does not return. The various viruses that cause the common cold and flu can damage and interfere with the olfactory epithelium, the lining at top of the nose that contains the olfactory receptor cells.
Other causes
Other less common causes for smell loss include:
- Exposure to toxins
- Latrogenic (caused by medical treatment)
- Stroke
- Tumours
- Other medical complaints – diabetes, poor kidney function
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Drug abuse
- Chronic alcoholism
