All articles tagged with #loss of smell
A woman has experienced no sense of taste or smell for two years post-COVID, which is concerning but some improvement may be possible with olfactory training and supplements. Additionally, treatment options for prurigo nodularis and cholesterol management with PCSK9 inhibitors are discussed, highlighting potential therapies and their effectiveness.
A study published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery suggests that individuals who experienced a loss of smell and taste due to COVID-19 may see an improvement in their senses three years after the infection. The study followed 88 individuals with mild COVID-19 symptoms and found that the prevalence of self-reported smell or taste dysfunction decreased over time. Participants aged 50 or younger were less likely to report long-lasting loss of taste or smell. The researchers concluded that patients with post-COVID-19 condition exhibiting chemosensory alterations should be reassured that olfaction recovery continues over three years after the initial infection.
Loss of smell and taste, once considered a hallmark symptom of COVID-19, has become less common in recent waves of the virus, with only a small fraction of new patients reporting it. Research suggests that the prevalence of chemosensory loss has decreased from 50% early in the pandemic to 3-4% in more recent Omicron waves. The changing symptoms of the virus, as new variants emerge and immunity from infections and vaccinations offer defenses, have been observed in multiple studies. Researchers have also found clues as to why some patients do not recover their sense of smell or taste after infection, with ongoing inflammation driven by the immune system's T cells potentially causing damage or preventing repair. These findings could lead to new treatments that target the immune response and promote nerve cell regeneration. Currently, olfactory training and certain drug treatments are being used, but many patients eventually recover their sense of smell on their own.
Loss of smell and taste, once a prominent symptom of COVID-19, has become less common in recent waves of the virus, with only 3% to 4% of new patients reporting it. Research suggests that changes in symptoms may be due to new variants and increased immunity from infections and vaccinations. Studies have shown that a heightened immune response may be targeting nerve cells in the nose, leading to ongoing inflammation and damage. These findings could pave the way for new treatments to promote nerve cell regeneration and recovery. Currently, treatment options include olfactory training and experimental treatments using platelets. However, many patients eventually recover their sense of smell on their own over time.
A new study suggests that a loss of smell could be an early warning sign of Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found that individuals with the APOE e4 gene, which is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's, were more likely to experience a diminished sense of smell and cognitive decline. Testing a person's ability to detect odors may be a useful way to predict future problems with cognition. Loss of smell has been linked to inflammation in the brain, which is connected to cognitive decline. This study highlights the potential of using smell tests to identify individuals at risk for dementia early in the disease.
A new study based on a 2021 national survey found more than 6 million people reported sensory loss as of that year with a quarter reporting long-term deficits. Loss of smell was one of the defining characteristics of COVID-19 when it first spread in 2020, with something like 80% of those infected reporting at least short-term loss. Although variants of omicron seem to have less impact on smell, still about 15% of those infected endure at least a temporary loss. There's not much available to help people with smell and taste loss, and researchers are exploring whether giving people their own platelet-rich plasma in the nasal cavity offers any benefit.