Question 1

how is sense of smell restored?

Accepted Answer

Smell restoration: Often, it cannot be restored, but it depends on why your sense of smell is impaired or absent.  If it was from a sinus infection, treating the infection can help.  If nasal polyps, treating them may improve it, too.  If the loss is from olfactory nerve damage from trauma or stroke or infection, it might not ever come back.  If your nose is plugged, just returning your nasal breathing can help.

Question 2

how can they test my sense of smell?

Accepted Answer

Scratch and sniff: For a crude assessment of the sense of smell many ENT doctors have a scratch and sniff packet that can be used to see if you can identify odors. Very specialized smell and taste disorder centers have much more in depth testing material available.

Question 3

what can cause a heightened sense of smell?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say: Hard to say, if this has always been the case, then you are just fortunate and maybe should consider being a chef! if it is new, it's possible that you used to have some nasal issues that limited your sense of smell that have now improved (like allergies). If you are smelling something funny that is not actually there, then you should see an ent.

Question 4

how could someone lose their sense of smell?

Accepted Answer

Trauma, infection: Complete loss of the sense of smell can follow certain upper respiratory infections
trauma can impact the nerves from the olfactory system with loss of smell.  Sometimes the loss is partial with sensitivity to certain smells and loss of others.  Check in with your otolaryngologist for these.

Question 5

i lost the sense of smell after geting cold?

Accepted Answer

? zinc: If you used a zinc nasal spray or  nasal gel, such as zicam, it may interfere with your sense of smell.

Question 6

i am losing my sense of smell, what is wrong?

Accepted Answer

Allergy?: If the loss is considerable see a neurologist,but allergies and conditions such as hayfever or colds could be responsible

Question 7

why does my sense of smell seem worse as i age?

Accepted Answer

Hard to say.: At age 30, it is unusual to have diminished smell.  Some possibilities are related to nasal obstruction.  Allergy, mechanical obstruction, drug abuse, sinusitis with nasal polyps are a few reasons.  It is possible that late in life, degeneration of the first cranial nerve may occur. (the nerve of smell).  The common cold can cause swelling of the lining of the nose but this is usually reversible.

Question 8

what could cause a really strong sense of smell?

Accepted Answer

Olfactory stim: Hormonal changes have been known to affect the sense of smell. Also, correction of sinusitis , congestion, or other conditions in the nasopharynx may seem to be enhancing the sense of smell. Certain drugs may do this, too, though usually alter the sense, rather than increase it.

Question 9

is it possible to regain my sense of smell back ?

Accepted Answer

Maybe: Depends on what caused the loss.Acute sinusitis-yes;other causes;less likely.

Question 10

what does it mean if i have a bad sense of smell?

Accepted Answer

Two things: Either your smell nerves have been shot or your flow of air from your nose entry to your smell nerves has been impaired.

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I lost the sense of smell after geting cold?

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I am losing my sense of smell, what is wrong?

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Why does my sense of smell seem worse as i age?

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What does it mean if i have a bad sense of smell?

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