Loss of taste and smell depressing

June 25, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Three years ago I lost my senses of smell and taste. Most doctors don’t even know what this is, but I have found that over 2 million people in the US suffer from this horrific disorder of the olfactory bulb or nerve. I wasn’t diagnosed by my primary care physician (he didn’t even know what to call it) but research on the internet finally gave me information and a name, anosmia. I had numerous chronic sinus infections prior to my loss of smell and taste and was treated with several different antibiotics.

I finally asked my primary care physician to refer me to an ENT. After an examination by the specialist, he said I had a deviated septum and polyps and suggested that I have surgery to correct this and that I would probably get my sense of smell and taste back.
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Loss of smell may be permanent

February 4, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am 89 and in good health, but I no longer have a sense of smell. Can it be restored?

DEAR READER: The answer depends on the cause. Some causes result in temporary loss, while others, unfortunately, result in permanent loss. If you have had a recent cold, sinus infection or hay fever, the condition will likely clear on its own within a reasonable period of time. If you suffer from nasal polyps, a tumor or nasal deformity, surgical correction may be necessary to remove the lesions or correct the abnormality and may restore your sense of smell. Medical conditions such as diabetes, Huntington’s disease or hormonal disturbances should be ruled out.
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Loss of taste bothers reader

September 1, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am a senior citizen and always read your column. My problem is that I’ve lost my taste buds. Nothing I drink or eat has any taste to me. What can I do to get my sense of taste back?

DEAR READER: Some loss of taste (and smell) is common with aging. Other than that, there are several possibilities, including poor dental hygiene, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, a smoking habit, allergies, sinus problems and medications.
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Fall can cause loss of taste

April 11, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, a woman asked about her loss of taste and smell, which seemed to occur after a concussion. You thought it was unlikely that it was caused by the concussion and gave some scenarios that can affect taste and smell.

A few years ago, during a visit to my ear-nose-and-throat doctor to clean my ears, I experienced excruciating pain in my ear when he inserted an instrument to remove the wax from my eardrum. The pain subsided after a while, but when I ate dinner, I discovered I had lost my entire sense of taste. I called my ENT and was told that it could not possibly have been from the ear cleaning.
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Sinus surgery caused loss of taste and smell

April 2, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Last year, I suffered with sinus problems and infections that led to sinus surgery. The surgery was the worst experience of my life. Now I have no sense of taste or smell. This is so devastating that I’m now on an anti-depressant so I can cope.

DEAR READER: To be robbed of the sense of smell can be devastating. I don’t know how complicated your surgery was, but unfortunately, any procedure can cause unwanted side effects. Return to your doctor for his or her guidance, or request a referral to another ENT specialist for a second opinion. You also might contact the National Institutes of Health (www.nih.gov), where research remains ongoing. The address is 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20892.

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Did fall cause loss of taste and smell?

February 28, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: As one of your loyal readers who is helped by your daily recommendations, I hope that you will be able to assist me as you have so many others.

About 18 months ago, I tripped on city cobblestones and fell. The accident was serious enough that I had to be taken to the emergency room. I was diagnosed with a concussion and treated for lacerations to my forehead, nose and mouth. Shortly after this incident, I realized that I could no longer smell or taste.

My family doctor told me to be patient, to allow myself time to heal and that these senses would likely return. After nine months with no improvement, I was sent to an ear-nose-and-throat specialist. There, my hearing was tested and I underwent an endoscopic procedure on my nose. I was then prescribed Medrol and Flonase, which I took exactly as prescribed. Unfortunately, they did not help. [Read more...]

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