Additional information has been obtained about taste and smell disturbances caused by corona infection.
One of the common consequences of a corona infection is a weakening of the sense of smell and taste, either for a long or short time. The sense of smell can also be distorted.
Based on a US study, at least the problems with the sense of taste are corrected within a year of the infection. Instead, the sense of smell can remain weak even longer than this. This can also affect the sense of taste.
30 percent of the participants in the study had at least somewhat weakened sense of smell even one year after the corona infection. This was the case with 20 percent of the controls.
Taste and smell impairments related to corona infection have been studied before. The information is based on the patients’ own assessments.
The new results are considered more reliable, as they were measured using tests developed for the research of the senses of taste and smell. Still, it would be good to verify them in further studies.
340 people with the coronavirus infection and 430 controls of the same age who had not had the coronavirus infection participated in the study.
The results were published in the journal JAMA Network Open. Uitispalvelu Duodecim reported about them.
Corona can take away the sense of smell for a long time or distort even familiar smells into strange ones. Adobe stock/AOP
This is how you can train your sense of smell
The sense of smell can be lost for reasons other than corona. Among respiratory viruses, for example, influenza viruses can damage the sense of smell.
The sense of smell can be lost because viruses can damage the olfactory nerve or due to swelling of the mucous membrane caused by an upper respiratory tract infection, odor molecules cannot reach the area of the olfactory epithelium.
According to some studies, the coronavirus is thought to trigger a long-term disorder in the cells that sense smells. These cells are located in the upper part of the nasal cavity and help send smell signals from the nose to the brain.
It is possible that as the disorder continues, the number of these cells will decrease.
The article in the health library explains how a weakened sense of smell affects many things and can reduce the quality of life: if the sense of smell does not work, taste experiences are also lacking. Eating food can be scary because the smell does not warn of spoiled food. A person suffering from a weakened sense of smell may also fear that they smell bad and isolate themselves.
However, it is possible to try to influence one’s sense of smell through training. According to research, the best result is obtained if training is started soon after the loss of the sense of smell.
Smell training is not helpful for everyone, but it is still worth trying even if a year has passed since the beginning of the sense of smell weakening.
According to research, smelling at least four core scents can help restore the nerve connections between the nose and the brain.
According to the Health Library’s smell training instructions, scents used for smell training can be obtained from grocery stores, pharmacies and health food stores.
1st stage
Smell training starts with rose, eucalyptus, lemon and clove.
Each scent is sniffed for 10 seconds, a 10-second break is taken, and we move on to the next scent.
When you have smelled all four scents, repeat the exercise again.
The exercise is done twice a day, in the morning before breakfast and in the evening before going to bed.
Regular exercises are done for three months.
Olfactory training has the potential to improve the prognosis of loss of the sense of smell. Adobe Stock / AOP
2nd stage
After three months, move on to four new fragrances, which you can choose based on availability and your own preferences. You can choose, for example, fragrant fruits and dried or fresh herbal spices, such as thyme, rosemary and sage.
You can also smell flavored loose tea: for example, jasmine or green tea.
Repeat the exercises in the same way as the exercises in step 1.
Check from time to time that your training scents have not been diluted.
REMEMBER
Also remember these:
If you have problems with your sense of smell, avoid all nicotine products. Nicotine destroys olfactory receptors and snuff affects the combination of smell and taste sensations.
The moisture of the mucous membranes of the nose promotes the attachment of scent molecules to the olfactory receptors. Drink lots of water.
With a salt rinse, it is possible to remove bacteria and dust from the nose and maintain the good condition of the mucous membranes.
Use opening nasal sprays according to the instructions and for a short time.
Source: Breathing Association
For a long time, loss of the sense of smell was considered one of the signs of a coronavirus infection. Adobe Stock / AOP
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