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Help - I Can't Smell!

Written by Dr Rajesh Bhardwaj

Topic: Breathing and BreathworkPublished March 9, 2020
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The sense of SMELL is one of our five basic senses - apart from touch, vision, hearing and taste.rnIt is a higher and an aesthetic sense which, apart from helping us get the flavour out of food (Flavour is a combination of the sense of Taste and Smell) also helps us appreciate the finer things around us. It has a very strong connection with the Limbic system - because as we all know a particular smell can take us down memory lane to very specific experiences in our life.rnAnosmia is described as the loss of the sense of smell.rnAnosmia may be temporary or permanent depending on the cause of the problem and the extent of the lesion/ damage.rnTYPESrnAbnormalities in the sense of smell can be of various types - rnHYPOSMIA - Reduction in the sense of smell - due to lower transmission of nerve impulses.rnANOSMIA - Complete loss of sense of smell - due to a complete break in the transmission of nerve impulses.rnPAROSMIA - an abnormal sense of smell - due to abnormal cross-connections of the Olfactory Nerve.rnHYPEROSMIA - an increased sense of smell, which may be because of neurosis or sometimes as a part of a seizure disorder.rnCAUSESrnSmell abnormalities can be Congenital or Acquired.rnAcquired Anosmia can be on account of - following trauma (Head Injury), viral infection, nasal polyps and sinusitis, tumours, or as a consequence of some medication. Metabolic disorders may sometimes be responsible. rnIn more than 20 % of cases, no cause can be found.rnMANAGEMENTrnAfter having tried to treat the cause - nasal Polyps, Sinusitis, Nasal mass etc there are some general methods of management. - Intranasal Sprays- usually steroids- may sometimes helprn- Systemic Steroids - in some cases, especially after a bad viral infection, in an attempt to regenerate damaged nerve endingsrn- Nasal Douching and Nasal Toilet - To get rid of crusts, secretions etcrn- Smell Training - usually with four different types of Essential OilsrnWhatever may be the cause, remember to contact your doctor early so that appropriate treatment can be started.rnIn some cases, unfortunately, the loss is permanent. If you are looking for tonsil stone treatment then kindly visit our Centre: Address - D 3/14, Vasant Vihar, Lane opposite, Vasant Vihar Club, Opp Shri Ram School New Delhi, Delhi 110057. For an appointment - Please call at +919871150032.

Article author

About the Author

Dr (Major) R k Bhardwaj joined the armed forces medical college (afmc), Poona in 1978, and graduated as an MBBS in Oct 1982. From 1982 to 1997 he served in various capacities in the army medical corps including tours of duty at Siachen glacier and at Jaffna in Sri Lanka where he was intimately involved in the triage, management, and evacuation of battle casualties.
In 1987 he completed his diploma in ENT(DLO) from IGMC (mayo hospital) at Nagpur. From 1988 to 1990 he completed his ms in ENT from afmc at Poona where he was awarded the silver medal for standing first in ent in afmc. He was awarded the 'chief of army staff commendation card' for meritorious duty. From 1991 to 1993 he worked
as an ent specialist at Chandigarh where he performed a large number of ent surgeries and endoscopic procedures. In 1993 he was posted to army hospital (r&r hospital) the largest and most prestigious military medical establishment. He honed his surgical and diagnostic skills and was made a recognized postgraduate guide of the Delhi University.
In 1997 he left the army and has since then been in active practice. Apart from being attached to various prestigious hospitals of south Delhi including Sitaram Bhartiya institute, max med centre, Indian spinal injuries centre (Vasant Kunj) he has a well-equipped ent centre at Vasant vihar where he practices every evening.
Dr Bhardwaj is actively involved in his association affairs where he has been the editor of the news journal apart from being a member of the executive for many years. He was the secretary of the association in 2001-2002 and was the president of the All India association, Delhi branch from 2004 to 2005.
Dr Bhardwaj was the health consultant with the media group tv today network which includes "Aaj Tak and headlines today'. Presently he was health consultant with star news and was involved in bringing out the weekly health program called - 'Apna khayal rakhiyega'. Dr Bhardwaj was the doctor on a panel with the Shri ram school, Vasant vihar and has carried out the annual medical examinations at the heritage school and bloom public school. He contributes articles for the parenting magazine. the specialist at Chandigarh where he performed a large number of ent surgeries and endoscopic procedures.
In 1993 he was posted to army hospital (r&r hospital) the largest and most prestigious military medical establishment. He honed his surgical and diagnostic skills and was made a recognized postgraduate guide of the Delhi University.

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