THE SENSE OF Smell

The sense of smell is classified as a chemical sense, just like your sense of taste. Sensory cells, also known as olfactory sensory neurons, connect directly to the brain. The molecules of scents around us — whether it’s the scent of cut grass or dinner cooking — stimulate these receptors, then send the information to your brain which identifies the smell. Your sense of smell helps you enjoy the aromas around you and can also serve as a warning system, alerting you to dangerous situations such as a gas leak or smoke from a re. If you experience a loss in your sense of smell, it could be a sign of a health problem.

Commonly people experience a loss of their sense of taste when they have the common cold or u. This is caused by the link between your sense of smell and sense of taste. There is a channel that connects the roof of the throat to the nose and when you have a cold or u, this can be blocked. When you chew food, aromas are released that travel through this channel to your olfactory sensory neurons. If this channel is blocked, these aromas are unable to reach the neurons causing a loss in your sense of taste. Many people will presume they’ve lost their sense of taste when they’ve actually lost their sense of smell. Some smell disorders include:

Phantosmia — The sensation of an odor that is not there

Hyposmia — A reduced ability to detect odors

Parosmia — A change in the normal perception of odors. Something that once smelled pleasant may now smell putrid with Parosmia

Anosmia — The complete inability to detect odors

There are many causes for smell disorders, including illness and injury. Some common causes are:

Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease — conditions that affect the nervous system

Smoking

Dental problems

Head injury

Radiation treatment Medications, including some antibiotics and antihistamines

Sinus or other upper respiratory infections

Growths in nasal cavities Disturbances in hormone levels Exposure to chemicals, such as insecticides and solvents

As people age, problems with the sense of smell increase. Problems with sense of smell are more common in men than women with nearly 20 percent of men, ages 60-69, having a smell disorder. In comparison, only 11 percent of women in that age range have reported a smell disorder.

Smell disorders are treated by an otolaryngologist — a doctor who specializes in diseased of the ear, nose, throat, head, and neck. To identify and treat the underlying cause of a smell disorder, it is important to receive a diagnosis by a doctor.

Smell plays an important role in your life, often serving as your body’s rst response to dangers such as harmful chemicals, smoke from a re, or spoiled food. Smell disorders could signal a variety of potentially serious health problems and if you are experiencing a smell disorder, you should speak with you doctor.