Loss of smell

Various forms of smell loss make daily tasks challenging. Smell training may possibly bring improvements.

What is loss of smell?

Unfortunately, having a well-functioning sense of smell is not self-evident for everyone. Different types of olfactory disorders can complicate daily life and cause tension. These include:

• Parosmia (distorted sense of smell)
• Phantomsmia (smelling odors that are not there)
• Hyposmia (decreased sense of smell)
• Anosmia (complete loss of smell)

Each of these disorders can, in their own way, complicate daily life and cause tension.

An olfactory disorder can have a major impact on your life. It can make you sad because you miss smelling (and tasting) so much. Uncertainty is also a frequently heard complaint, because people are afraid, for example, that they themselves do not smell good. Moreover, odor serves as a warning signal. For example, consider detecting a gas smell or spoiled food. The inability to detect these odors can be dangerous.

The duration of loss of smell depends on the cause. In most cases it is temporary, but it can also be permanent.

Causes of loss of smell

You can lose your sense of smell in various ways or smell less sharply than you are used to. It is a well-known consequence after infection with the coronavirus. But a fall on the head (injury), smoking, a bad cold or simply being older can also cause this.

Improve your sense of smell with smell training

StimuScent smell training can be seen as a form of physiotherapy for the nose. You stimulate your sense of smell and train your brain to recognize odors (correctly) again. In people with loss of smell due to COVID-19, severe cold viruses, or head injuries, olfactory training has been shown to improve the sense of smell in some.