Cures for Anosmia

The medical condition where one loses the complete loss of smell is called anosmia. Without the ability to smell one can not fully enjoy the flavors of foods as our sense of taste is tied to our sense of smell. Smelling helps to alert us to dangerous conditions such as fires or tainted food. Anosmia can be a permanent or temporary condition. Cures for anosmia will depend on its cause.

Medication

• Obstructions caused by nasal polyps, which block the air flow through the nose can result in anosmia. One way to remove or reduce polyps or inflammation is with drug treatment. Nasal spray corticosteroids can be used to reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids can also be administered orally or injected. Antihistamines can be used to reduce inflammation by allergies and antibiotics can treat infections. If the infection is caused by fungal allergies, antifungal medications can be used.

Surgeries

• If drug treatment is not successful, nasal polyps or other types of obstructions, such as tumors or bone deformities in the nose can be removed by surgery. If the surgery is successful, and the obstruction is removed, the sense of smell can be restored. Two types of surgeries used to remove polyps include the polypectomy and endoscopic sinus surgery. In a polypectomy a mechanical suction devise is used to remove the polyp. With endoscopic sinus surgery an endoscope, which is a small tube, is inserted in the nose with a magnify glass or minute camera. Small instruments are then used to remove the obstruction.

Curing the Infection or Illness

• When anosmia is caused from a cold or other infection, the condition will often be resolved when the cold or infection is cured. Other medical conditions can cause anosmia, and if the damage permanently destroys the nerves or receptors of the mucus lining there will be no cure. Medical conditions that can cause anosmia include Alzheimer's disease, brain aneurysm, brain surgery, brain tumor, diabetes, hormonal disturbance, huntington's disease, klinefelter syndrome, Kallmann's syndrome, Korsakoff's psychosis, malnutrition medications, multiple sclerosis, paget's disease of bone, Parkinson's disease, Pick's disease, radiation therapy, schizophrenia, multiple system atrophy, Sjogren's syndrome, traumatic brain injury and zinc deficiency.