Ways to deal with loss of smell

Q A

Loss of smell is an indication of either a disease like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and dementia among other neurodegenerative diseases or a tumour growing in the front part of the brain.

Another common cause of anosmia is common cold but in senior citizens, it is mostly due to age-related degeneration of the nerves.

The sense of smell is an integral part of the functioning of the brain. Many people are not even aware of the disability and it is often diagnosed only during investigations.

In some people, this condition is noted during their middle ages because of continuous and repeated exposure to toxic fumes, which thins down the nasal mucous membranes, causes chronic nasal infection and polyp growths in the nose.

— Dr Sukumar Sura,

consultant neurosurgeon

Q

My mother breathes with her mouth open during the night. She is 55 years old. Is breathing from the mouth a normal habit? — Anonymous

A

The nose is designed to act as a natural humidifier and filtering system for the air we breathe. When we can’t get enough air through our nose, however, the mouth takes over. Breathing through the mouth, most of the time, is not nature's intent. When this happens, problems can occur.

Mouth breathing is a habit that can develop for numerous reasons. The most common are allergies that cause nasal obstruction, thumb or fingersucking habit, enlarged tonsils or adenoids that block the area behind the nose and in the throat, chronic nasal congestion and recurrent respiratory infections.

To understand the exact cause, an evaluation from the doctor is required.

— Dr Srinivas Kishore Sistla ENT surgeon and sleep specialist