Definition
Definition
Anosmia is a partial or total loss of smell, which is the sense that allows humans and animals to perceive and recognize odors.
The synonym of smell is olfaction.
Generalities
- When the loss of smell is partial, we speak ofhyposmia.
- Sometimes, anosmia only affects certain odors, and is confused with a taste disturbance (dysgeusia).
- In case of unilateral involvement (only one nasal cavity) we speak ofhemianosmia.
Classification
For specialists in otolaryngology, peripheral anosmia is due to damage to the odor-sensitive receptors of the nasal mucosa , which is the set of cells constituting the layer that covers and lines the inside of the nasal cavities.
These odor-sensitive receptors are called the olfactory placode . Peripheral anosmia generally follows an inflammatory condition, itself secondary to an infection. This occurs during a common cold , allergic rhinitis, or nasal polyposis. Trauma, such as a fracture of the ethmoid bone or the anterior cranial fossa, or a tumor (of the ethmoid bone), can also lead to the development of peripheral anosmia.
Cause
Cause
The causes of anosmia include (but are not limited to):
- A lack of permeability of the nasal passages, preventing odor molecules from reaching sensory organs (nerve endings), for example in cases of:
- Sinusitis.
- Cold.
- Polyps nasal cavities.
- Rhinitis.
- From excess tobacco.
- Use of certain medications such as psychotropic (medicines used for mental disorders).
- Perception defect secondary to destruction of the sensory organs of smell.
- Some forms ofepilepsy.
- Neurological damage olfactory nerve centers located in the brain.
Treatment
Treatment
Quite often, when the cause of anosmia is not clearly identified, the following is used:
- Medicines based on corticosteroid (cortisone).
- Steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the long-term use of which becomes harmful (dangerous) to the body.
This is why it is important to precisely determine the cause of this disturbance, which is characterized by a partial or total loss of smell.