Do you also not feel the taste and smell of food? (Loss of Taste and Smell) - Let's learn about the causes and remedies

Have you ever felt like your tea or coffee has no flavor or aroma? Or maybe your favorite food doesn't taste good? This can be really annoying. Sometimes it can be a simple cold. But sometimes it can be a sign of something more serious. Today, we'll talk about why this happens, whether it's serious, and what you can do about it.

Let's first see, how do we taste and smell?

This is a very interesting process. Think of our nose and tongue as two brilliant detectives. Together, they help us enjoy the true flavor of food and drink.

• Smell: When we breathe, tiny odor molecules from the environment enter our nose. Special nerve cells (receptors) located at the top of the nose detect these molecules and send that information like electrical messages to the brain. The brain is the one who decides whether it is a "nice smell" or an "unpleasant smell."

• Taste: When we eat food, the taste molecules in it dissolve with saliva and travel to the taste buds on the tongue. The nerve cells in these taste buds detect whether the taste is sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or the savory taste called umami in meat and fish, and send that message to the brain.

Simply put, much of what we think of as the "taste" of a food comes from its "smell." That's why food tastes bad when you have a cold and your nose is stuffy. When your nose can't detect smells, the full message doesn't get to your brain.

What is loss of smell and taste?

These conditions are known by two names in medicine.

• Loss of sense of smell: A complete loss of the sense of smell is called anosmia . A partial, slightly reduced sense of smell is called hyposmia .

• Loss of taste: It is very rare to lose the sense of taste completely. This is called ageusia . However, many people have a reduced sense of taste. This means they can taste food and drink less than they should. This is called hypogeusia .

What are the main causes of loss of taste and smell?

Aside from aging, there are a number of other factors that can contribute to this. Some are simple, while others require medical treatment.

How does COVID-19 cause this situation?

Many people have experienced this loss of taste and smell with the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers have found that rather than directly damaging the olfactory nerves, the COVID-19 virus damages the cells that support those nerves. This prevents the nerves from working properly. But the good news is that these support cells recover after the infection clears. So , for many people, their sense of taste and smell returns within 60 days of recovering from COVID-19 .

Could this be dangerous? - Risks to be aware of

It's not good to simply think, "Oh, the food just doesn't taste good." The loss of taste and smell can cause serious problems.

• Nutritional deficiencies: Not eating properly due to lack of appetite can lead to malnutrition, dehydration, and unnecessary weight loss.
• Risk of other diseases: It can be tempting to add too much salt or sugar to your food to make it taste better. This increases the risk of diseases like high blood pressure and diabetes.
• Food poisoning: The risk of food poisoning is high because it is difficult to recognize expired or spoiled food.
• Safety issues: If there is a gas leak from a gas cylinder at home, or if there is a fire or smoke coming from somewhere, not being able to smell it can be life-threatening.
• Psychological impact: Losing the pleasure of eating and smelling delicious food can lead to depression or even a state of depression.

How does a doctor find this?

If you have these symptoms, be sure to see your doctor. He or she will do the following:

1. You will be asked about details: You will be asked about recent illnesses, head injuries, and medications you are taking to obtain a complete medical history.

2. Performs a physical examination: Examines the nose, mouth, and throat.

3. Referral to a specialist: If necessary, you may be referred to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT doctor).

4. Special tests: Sometimes a simple smell test or a taste test may be done. If there is any suspicion of a lump or tumor in the nose, an imaging test such as a CT scan or MRI may be recommended.

What treatments and remedies can be done?

Treatment depends on the cause.

• Treating the underlying cause: If it is a sinus infection, treating it, or if it is an allergy, taking medication can help.
• Changing medications: If your doctor thinks a medication you're taking is causing the problem, he or she may be able to prescribe a different medication. But remember, never stop taking a medication or change the dosage without first asking your doctor.

Sometimes, especially if it's caused by aging or nerve damage, it can't be completely cured. But there are things you can do to make your meals more enjoyable:

• Add some things like a piece of cheese, roasted cashews, or peanuts to your meals.
• Instead of salt, use aromatic spices, such as curry, turmeric, and cinnamon, to enhance the aroma of your food.
• Instead of serving the same type of food, serve foods with different colors and textures. For example, something crispy with rice and something smooth with curry.
• Instead of dishes like casseroles that are made by mixing everything together, choose dishes that allow you to enjoy each flavor separately.

Loss of taste, loss of smell, anosmia, ageusia, COVID-19 symptoms, loss of appetite, ENT