“I Have No Sense of Taste”
Your Sense of Smell May Be Affected
Loss of smell is a condition that many of us experience from time to time. Especially during flu-like infections accompanied by severe nasal discharge and allergic reactions, we often state that we cannot smell. Many patients who lose their sense of smell also report that their sense of taste is affected. From patients whose sense of smell is impaired, we frequently hear the expression, “I have no sense of taste.”
The sense of smell and taste receptor cells begin to decrease after the age of 60. This condition, which has hundreds of possible causes, is encountered in neurosurgery particularly after head trauma and in skull base tumors involving the olfactory nerve.
Head Trauma
Loss of smell can be observed in approximately 5–10% of patients who have experienced head trauma. This is proportional to the severity of the trauma. It may occur immediately after the trauma or within hours. It can result from stretching or tearing of the olfactory nerve. There is no specific treatment for this condition. We wait for the olfactory nerves to heal spontaneously.
Tumors
Both tumors originating inside the nasal cavity and brain tumors can lead to loss of smell. Tumors arising within the nose usually cause obstruction. Evaluation by an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is essential. Brain tumors such as meningiomas, pituitary gland tumors, and gliomas may damage the olfactory nerve.
In tumoral lesions, smell disorders are usually unilateral. If loss of smell is accompanied by visual problems and hormonal system involvement (due to pituitary gland involvement), evaluation by neurosurgery with brain MRI is mandatory. In tumor treatment, surgical or radiosurgical methods are applied depending on the size, location, and characteristics of the tumor.
Causes of Smell Disorders and Loss of Smell
The most common causes include:
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Upper respiratory tract infections (acute sinusitis, flu-like illnesses, rhinitis)
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Trauma (after nasal or head trauma)
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Nasal-origin lesions (polyps, tumors)
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After nasal surgeries
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Diabetes and hormonal disorders
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Certain congenital diseases (Klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann syndrome)
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Psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia)
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Vitamin deficiencies (vitamin A, zinc deficiency)
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Neurological diseases (Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, multiple sclerosis)
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Certain medications (such as nifedipine, terbinafine)
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After radiotherapy applied to the head and neck region
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Exposure to toxic or chemical odors
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Smoking and drug use
Diagnosis
The patient’s examination and medical history are very important. Special smell tests and imaging studies such as CT and MRI may be required. Evaluation by ENT, Neurology, Internal Medicine, and in cases of skull base tumors, Neurosurgery, is essential.
Treatment
Treatment should be planned according to the patient’s diagnosis. Medical therapy or surgery should be performed by the relevant specialty. After treatment, follow-up and smell training exercises may be recommended.
Today, one out of every two people over the age of 60 may experience problems with smell. It has been found that 96% of patients with Parkinson’s disease have already lost their sense of smell at the time of initial diagnosis. Loss of smell is one of the earliest symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, along with constipation.
Do not forget:
Loss of smell should not be neglected.
If smell impairment occurs after the age of 60, it may be associated with brain diseases. It can be a sign of conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Wishing everyone days filled with pleasant scents.
