Olfactory impairment, or smell disorder, is an invisible disability. Olfactory impairment is often neglected because, unlike mobility impairment, it cannot be observed by others. Moreover, this impairment is often trivialized because most people do not realize how the loss of smell can affect their daily lives.
Our sense of smell helps us enjoy life. Imagine you cannot smell the aroma of freshly baked cookies, the scent of your favorite perfume, the fragrance of the flowers, or the fresh scent after the rain. Any loss in the sense of smell will negatively affect our quality of life.
An impaired smell affects our ability to perceive and experience flavor. It may affect our enjoyment of food, reduce our appetite, and change our eating habits and food choices. Our bodies may not receive the needed nutrients due to smell disorders.
Our sense of smell also helps keep us safe. It warns us of dangers in our daily environment, such as fire, gas leaks, rotten food, or spoiled milk. The loss of sense of smell makes us vulnerable to environmental hazards that may endanger our safety and health.
The olfactory system serves many important functions in our daily lives. A diminished or lost sense of smell will significantly affect our health, emotions, safety, relationships, and enjoyment of life.
What are the smell disorders?[1]
People with smell disorders either have a reduced ability to smell, an inability to smell, or changes in how they perceive odors.
- Anosmia – Complete loss of sense of smell.
- Hyposmia – Partial loss of sense of smell.
- Parosmia – Change in the normal perception of orders.
- Phantosmia – Perception of odors that are not actually present.
What causes the smell disorders?[2]
- Aging
- Illness or upper respiratory infections, such as a cold, flu, sinus infection, or COVID-19
- Smoking
- Nasal obstructions
- Head injury
- Cancer treatments, including radiation and chemotherapy
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Hormone changes
- Certain medications
- Dental or mouth problems
- Conditions that affect the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or multiple sclerosis
How common are smell disorders?
The following are some statistics on olfactory disorders.[3]
- Roughly 23 percent of Americans over the age of 40 report some alteration in their sense of smell.
- Prevalence rates increase with age. 32 percent of those over 80 have problems with their sense of smell.
- About 6.5 percent of Americans over age 40 report experiencing phantom order perception.
- Approximately 12.4 percent of Americans have measurable smell dysfunction.
- Approximately 3 percent of Americans have anosmia or severe hyposmia.
- The prevalence of any type of olfactory impairment increases with age.
- 4 percent in Americans ages 40-49.
- 11 percent in Americans ages 50-59.
- 13 percent in Americans 70-79.
- 39 percent in Americans ages 80 and above.
- The prevalence of smell impairment is higher in men (55% males/45% females).
How are the smell disorders diagnosed and treated?
Smell disorders are treated by an otolaryngologist. An otolaryngologist, or an ENT for short, is a medical specialist who specializes in issues with the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck.
In addition to a physical examination and a review of medical history, an accurate assessment of the smell disorder may include the following diagnostic procedures:[4]
- Imaging such as a CT scan or MRI
- Measuring the lowest concentration of a chemical that a person detect
- “Scratch and sniff” tests
The best treatment plan will depend on several factors:[5]
- Age
- Medical history
- Overall health condition
- Extent of the disorder
- Tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
- The duration of treatment
- The patient’s preference
Treatment may involve:[6]
- Decreasing the dosage or changing the medication that contributes to the disorder
- Correcting the underlying cause of the disorder
- Surgically removing the obstructions that cause the disorder
- Stop smoking
- Olfactory training
- Counseling
Concluding Words
Like all our senses, our sense of smell plays an essential part in our daily lives. When our sense of smell is impaired, we may miss the warning signals in our environment alerting us to spoiled food or beverages, gas leaks, harmful fumes, or a fire that endangers our lives.
Food becomes less enjoyable when we lose the sense of smell. We could not smell the aroma of food. Moreover, smell disorders may also cause the distortion of flavors. Our eating habits may change, which leads to other health issues. Smell disorders may affect our social life and mental health. In some cases, it may lead to depression.
Problems with our smell may indicate other serious health problems. They may related to other medical conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Therefore, it is critical to contact healthcare professionals for experiencing smell disorders.[7]
[1] “Smell (Olfactory) Disorders—Anosmia, Phantosmia & Others | NIDCD,” July 31, 2023. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders.
[2] Ibid.
[3] “Quick Statistics About Taste and Smell | NIDCD,” February 27, 2019. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-taste-smell.
[4] Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery. “Smell and Taste Disorders.” Accessed October 11, 2023. https://med.stanford.edu/ohns/OHNS-healthcare/sinuscenter/resources/patient_guides/smell-taste-disorders.html.
[5] “Smell and Taste Disorders,” August 8, 2021. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/smell-and-taste-disorders.
[6] Ibid.
[7] “Smell (Olfactory) Disorders—Anosmia, Phantosmia & Others | NIDCD,” July 31, 2023. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders.