Anosmia causes
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Causes
A temporary loss of smell can be caused by a stuffy nose or infection. In contrast, a permanent loss of smell may be caused by death of olfactory receptor neurons in the nose, or by brain injury in which there is damage to the olfactory nerve or damage to brain areas that process smell (see olfactory system). The lack of the sense of smell at birth, usually due to genetic factors, is referred as congenital anosmia. Anosmia may very occasionally be an early sign of degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Another specific cause of permanent loss could be from damage to olfactory receptor neurons due to use of certain types of nasal spray, i.e. those that cause vasoconstriction of the nasal microcirculation. To avoid such damage and subsequent risk of loss of smell from vasoconstricting nasal sprays, they should be used for only a short amount of time and only when absolutely necessary. Non-vasoconstricting sprays, such as those used to treat allergy related congestion are safe to use for extended periods of time.[1]
- Upper respiratory tract infection (e.g., sinusitis or the common cold)[2]
- Nasal polyps
- Smoking
- Head trauma, damage to the ethmoid bone[3]
- Dementia with Lewy bodies
- Parkinson's Disease[4]
- Alzheimer's Disease[5]
- Toxins (especially acrylates, methacrylates[6] and cadmium[7][8])
- Old age[9]
- Kallmann syndrome
- Laryngectomy with permanent tracheostomy
- Esthesioneuroblastoma is an exceedingly rare cancerous tumor that originates in or near the olfactory nerve. Symptoms are anosmia (loss of sense of smell) often accompanied by chronic sinusitis.[10]
Anosmia can also be caused by nasal polyps. These polyps are found in people with allergies, histories of sinusitis & family history. Individuals with Cystic Fibrosis often develop nasal polyps.
References
- ↑ "www.coldcure.com/anosmia/anosmia.html".
- ↑ Doty RL, Mishra A (2001). "Influences of nasal obstruction, rhinitis, and rhinosinusitis on the ability to smell". Laryngoscope. 111: 409&ndash, 23.
- ↑ Doty RL, Yousem DM, Pham LT, Kreshak AA, Lee WW (1997). "Olfactory dysfunction in patients with head trauma". Arch Neurol. 54: 1131&ndash, 1140.
- ↑ Doty RL, Deems D, Stellar S (1988). "Olfactory dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: A general deficit unrelated to neurologic signs, disease stage, or disease duration". Neurology. 38: 1237&ndash, 44.
- ↑ Murphy C (1999). "Loss of olfactory function in dementing disease". Physiology & Behavior. 66: 177&ndash, 182.
- ↑ Schwartz B, Doty RL, Frye RE, Monroe C, Barker S (1989). "Olfactory function in chemical workers exposed to acrylate and methacrylate vapors". Am J Pub Health. 79: 613&ndash, 618.
- ↑ Rose CS, Heywood PG, Costanzo RM (1992). "Olfactory impairment after chronic occupational cadmium exposure". Journal of Occupational Medicine. 34: 600&ndash, 605.
- ↑ Rydzewski B, Sulkowski W, Miarzynaska M (1998). "Olfactory disorders induced by cadmium exposure: A clinical study". Int J Occ Med Env Health. 11: 235&ndash, 245.
- ↑ Doty RL, Shaman P, Applebaum SL, Giberson R, Sikorsky L, Rosenberg L (1984). "Smell identification ability: Changes with age". Science. 226: 1441&ndash, 1443.
- ↑ "www.emedicine.com/med/topic748.htm".