Smell Disorders: Frequently Asked Questions

Scientists have developed tests to determine the nature and extent of a person's smell disorder. Tests measure the smallest amount of odor patients can detect as well as how accurately a person can identify different smells. An easily administered "scratch and sniff" test allows a person to scratch pieces of paper treated to release different odors, sniff them, and try to identify each odor from a list of possibilities. ...

Scientists have developed tests to determine the nature and extent of a person's smell disorder. Tests measure the smallest amount of odor patients can detect as well as their accuracy in identifying different smells. An easily administered "scratch and sniff" test allows a person to scratch pieces of paper treated to release different odors, sniff them, and try to identify each odor from a list of possibilities. ...

The cause of the smell or taste disorder will determine whether or not treatment will improve the condition. If you are a smoker and have a diminished sense of taste and smell, quitting smoking will help improve these senses. If the smell and taste disorder is caused by the medication that you are taking, improvement should occur when the medicine is stopped. ...

An estimated four million Americans suffer from a smell and taste disorder. The taste and smell senses are also known as the "chemical senses. " There are special nerve cells in the nose (olfactory cells), mouth (gustatory cells) and throat that when stimulated by odors or by food they transmit messages to the brain where they are identified. Smell and taste disorders can be caused by a large number of problems. Studies have shown that our sense of smell and taste diminishes with age. ...

The tissue lining the upper one-third of the nose contains sensory cells for our sense of smell. Scientists have found that the sense of smell is most accurate between the ages of 30 and 60 years. It begins to decline after age 60, and a large proportion of elderly persons lose their smelling ability. Women of all ages are generally more accurate than men in identifying odors. Some people are born with a poor sense of smell or taste. ...

A medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed. Diagnostic tests may also include a CT scan and olfactory nerve testing.

Most people who have a problem with smell have recently had an illness or injury. The most common causes are upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold, and chronic sinus or nasal disease. Other common causes are head injuries and exposure to toxic chemicals. Nasal polyps can block the ability of aromas to reach the olfactory sensory cells. People with head and neck cancers who receive radiation treatment to the nasal area can also experience problems with smell.

Most people who have a problem with smell have recently had an illness or injury. The most common causes are upper respiratory infections, such as the common cold, and chronic sinus or nasal disease. Other common causes are head injuries and exposure to toxic chemicals. Nasal polyps can block the ability of aromas to reach nerve cells. People with head and neck cancers who receive radiation treatment to the nasal area can also experience problems with smell.

Depending on the cause of your smell disorder, your doctor may be able to treat your problem or suggest ways to cope with it. If a certain medication is the cause of the disorder, stopping or changing the medicine may eliminate the problem. Some patients with respiratory infections or allergies regain their sense of smell when the illness or condition is over. Often, correcting a general medical problem also can restore the sense of smell. ...

Depending on the cause of your smell disorder, your doctor may be able to treat your problem or suggest ways to cope with it. If a certain medication is the cause of the disorder, ask your doctor if you could substitute other medications or reduce the dose. Your doctor will work with you to get the medicine you need while trying to reduce unwanted side effects. Some patients with respiratory infections or allergies regain their sense of smell when the illness or condition is over. ...

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders supports basic and clinical studies of smell disorders. Scientists are working to understand more about the sense of smell so that new treatments can be developed to help restore the sense of smell to those who have lost it. Scientists are finding out more about how our sense of smell works and how we detect and smell the many different compounds that form odors. ...

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders supports basic and clinical studies of smell disorders. Scientists are working to understand more about the sense of smell so that new treatments can be developed to help restore the sense of smell to those who have lost it. Scientists are finding out more about how our sense of smell works and how we detect the many different compounds that form odors. ...

The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders supports basic and clinical studies of smell disorders. Scientists are working to understand more about the sense of smell so that new treatments can be developed to help restore the sense of smell to those who have lost it. Scientists are finding out more about how our sense of smell works and how we detect and smell the many different compounds that form odors. ...

Sometimes a problem with smell can be a sign of a more serious health problem, such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or multiple sclerosis. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a brain tumor. Malnutrition and diabetes also can be accompanied or signaled by smell disorders.

Sometimes a problem with smell can be a sign of a more serious health problem, such as a disease of the nervous system, like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or multiple sclerosis. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a brain tumor. Malnutrition and diabetes also can be accompanied or signaled by chemosensory problems, like smell disorders.