However, various other drugs may also be responsible including some antipsychotic drugs. Another factor which is listed as one of the common causes of loss of smell as well is the drugs. View author archive; Get author RSS feed ; Most Popular Today 1 23 … But, if you can identify the problem and visit a good doctor in time, there are ways to help with the problem. There are many different causes of smell and taste problems. A stuffy nose from a cold is a common cause for a partial, temporary loss of smell. Okay, let's get started. Some of the more common ones include allergies, diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, medication side effects, dental issues and cigarette smoking. Brain injuries (head trauma) may cause anosmia, as can disorders that affect the nervous system, including Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer's disease. As you get older, it can get harder for you to notice flavors. By experiencing anosmia, you can expect a change in the way things taste as well. Some people call it medicine mouth, the drug companies refer to it as Taste perversion. Sometimes a cause for the loss of smell cannot be found. Some people are born with these disorders. You can also be born with a smell disorder, usually because of a faulty gene. For some medications such as mexiletine, diazepam, donepezil, fentanyl, pimozide, sertraline, and trazodone, drug blood-plasma levels that are only 1.1 to 1.2 times greater than normal can be toxic. Certain drugs used to treat high blood pressure, such as amlodipine, diltiazem, and some ACE inhibitors, can interfere with smell. So ask your doctor about alternatives. In cases of aging, however, some taste loss is to be expected. Remember if your medications are altering your taste, discontinuing them should fix that. This is why in some situations it is the sense of smell that is at cause rather than a loss of taste. Colds and the flu can be treated with antihistamines and decongestants. Sometimes a cause for the loss of smell cannot be found. Medication. taste changes (dysgeusia) are especially common among older people who take multiple medic By continuing you agree to the use of cookies. Some medications can also cause a loss of taste in older adults. A temporary loss of smell and taste can be tolerated but a prolonged period of such problem needs to be tackled. A nasty cold, the flu, even bad allergies can cause nasal congestion that renders those senses useless. Use of this content is subject to specific Terms of Use & Medical Disclaimers. It is meant to provide helpful information while you are awaiting evaluation or to supplement what you may have already learned after evaluation with your doctors. Depending on the cause, loss of taste treatment may require a visit to a medical professional.   Many conditions can temporarily or permanently cause anosmia. Infections, congestion, or obstruction of the nasal passages may lead to a decreased or lost sense of smell. Select one or more newsletters to continue. Loss of smell can occur suddenly in people with COVID-19 and is often accompanied by loss of taste. Some medications like antibiotics or blood pressure medicine. Incessant inflammation may cause permanent damage to the nose lining the delicate nasal hairs. Anything that causes a loss of sense of smell also damages taste as taste and smell are closely linked. What Causes Loss of Taste? What can cause a loss of taste or smell? Or, you may have a rarer cause of a smell or taste problem that is not covered here. These problems often improve over time, and our guide gives some practical tips about oral hygiene and enjoying your food. In 13.7% of patients, alterations of taste and smell were present simultaneously and this percentage rose to 44% when the suspected drug was a macrolide antibiotic. You may be surprised (and perhaps relieved) to find out there are other disorders that can cause those symptoms as well. It can be caused by certain underlying conditions or illness, medicines, and dental problems. Some medications may also affect a person’s ability to taste. Some people lose the sense of smell (anosmia) or become more sensitive to smells (hyperosmia). A partial or complete loss of taste can be troublesome as we depend on our taste buds to warn us of potential food dangers and control our eating habits. The very first and possibly one of the best home remedies to restore loss of taste and smell is castor oil. © 2018 Chinese Medical Association. You may be prescribed with medications such as antibiotics and pills. Usually, with age, the sense of smell, taste, hear and sight become weak. More rarely, a decreased sense of smell can signal the start of a serious condition such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease. It can occur with prescription drugs or over-the-counter (OTC) medication. It could be unrelated, but it’s important to seek care, especially if these symptoms are prolonged. It can’t say whether smell loss is also associated with more severe COVID-19 outcomes. Illness or Infection. Loss of sense of smell, known as anosmia, and taste, known as ageusia, can stem from three main causes: obstruction of the nose, damage to the nose lining, or damage to the olfactory nerve or parts of the brain that deal with smell and taste 2. Usually, with loss of taste and smell, you may be surprised ( and perhaps relieved ) find. Some people ca n't reverse age-related loss of taste and smell, bitter. Result in odd tastes or decongestants may be surprised ( and perhaps relieved ) to find out more about training! Treat high blood pressure medications cholesterol medications, beta-blockers, and our gives... In people who are 60 years and older, it is not for... 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