“My mouth has no taste” Your sense of smell may be affected?
A problem with smell is something we all experience from time to time. Especially in flu infections with severe runny nose and allergic reactions, we express that we cannot smell. Many patients whose sense of smell is lost also report that their sense of taste is affected. We can often hear the expression "I have no taste in my mouth" from patients whose sense of smell is affected. The sense of smell and taste begin to decline at the age of 60. As neurosurgeons, we can see this condition, which has hundreds of causes, especially after head traumas and in skull base tümörs involving the olfactory nerve.
Head Trauma
Sense of smell loss can be observed in 5-10% of patients with head trauma. It is proportional to the severity of the head trauma. It may occur immediately or within hours after the trauma. It may be due to stretching or rupture of the olfactory nerve. There is no treatment available. We wait for our olfactory nerves to heal on their own.
Tümörler
Both nasal and brain tumors can cause loss of smell. Tümörs in the nasal cavity usually cause a blockage effect. Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors should definitely evaluate. Brain tumors such as meningioma, pituitary gland tümörs, glioma can damage the olfactory nerve. In tümöral lesions, olfactory impairment is usually unilateral. If there is a problem in vision along with the inability to smell and if there is an effect on the hormone system (due to the pituitary gland being affected), neurosurgery should be evaluated together with brain MRI. In tümör treatment, surgical or radiosurgical treatments are performed depending on the size, location and characteristics of the tümörür.
Reasons for olfactory disorders and loss of sense of smell
The most common causes are as follows;
Üst respiratory tract infections (Acute sinüzit, influenza, Rhinitis
Trauma (after trauma to the nose or head)
Lesions arising from the nose (polyps, tümör)
After nose surgeries
Sugar disease, hormonal disorders
Some congenital diseases (Klinefelter syndrome, Kallman syndrome)
Psychiatric diseases (such as schizophrenia)
Vitamin deficiencies (vitamin A, çinko deficiency)
Nöroological diseases (such as Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Multiple sclerosis)
Some drugs used (such as nifedipine, terbinafine)
After radiotherapy to the head & neck region
Exposure to toxic-chemical odors
Smoking, drug use
diagnosis
The patient's examination and history are very important. Special odor tests and CT and MRI scans may be necessary. Must be evaluated by ENT, Nörology, Internal Medicine and Neurosurgery for skull base tümörs.
TREATMENT
Treatment should be based on the patient's diagnosis. Treatment or operation should be performed by the relevant department. After treatment, follow-up and olfactory exercises can be done.
Nowadays, one in two people over the age of 60 may have problems with smell. It has been found that 96% of Parkinson's patients lose their ability to smell when they are first diagnosed. It is the earliest symptom of Parkinson's disease along with constipation.
Remember, the sense of smell cannot be neglected. At the age of 60, if the sense of smell is affected, this condition can be associated with brain diseases. It can be a symptom of diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Multiple sclerosis, especially Parkinson's disease. I wish everyone a fragrant day.
