Question: I have been suffering from anosmia since approximately July 2012. I had no illness around that time (have not had the flu since 2002), and had no injury of any kind. I do have strong hay fever allergies, but those have been present all my life. I have had an MRI done, and no one has ever identified anything wrong with it, nor has looking up my nose with an endoscope revealed anything. The reason for my email is this: All the doctors I have seen so far, once they are up to speed on the above information, have given up surprisingly quickly on the idea of trying anything. Are there any anosmia treatment options available?
Answer:
The loss of the sense of smell can be quite debilitating. The sense of smell is important for our day to day safety (to determine if food has gone bad or if there is a gas leak), for our enjoyment of life in general, and can be a precursor or indicator of other neurologic problems.
Evaluation includes a thorough history, quantification by smell testing, ear nose, and throat evaluation and nasal endoscopy, and imaging studies such as an MRI.
Many times, but not always, the loss of smell can be reversed or improved. Obstructing polyps can be shrunken or removed, inflammation- such as after a viral infection may be treated with steroids, orally or in the nose. Infection can be treated with appropriate antibiotics if needed.
More recently, several studies have shown that in those people whose loss of smell persists, other newer therapies may be helpful.
PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses concentrated platelets from your own blood to support tissue repair and may help with nerve-related loss of smell.
PRP therapy offers a localized regenerative approach for patients with persistent, nerve-related loss of smell. The treatment uses the patient’s own blood, which is processed to concentrate platelets before the PRP is placed near the olfactory fibers in the nasal cavity.
Smell therapy- also has been shown to be a benefit in many people as well.
We’d be happy to see you at the NY Sinus Center to review your previous studies and treatments to see if we could suggest other therapies- such as PRP therapy or smell therapy- and to make sure that no other treatable cause has been missed.
Robert Pincus MD Associate Professor Otolaryngology
Co-Director NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Anosmia, or loss of the sense of smell, can be caused by various factors including nasal obstructions like polyps, inflammation from viral infections, infections requiring antibiotics, or nerve-related issues. Allergies and neurological conditions may also contribute to anosmia.
Evaluation of anosmia involves a detailed patient history, smell testing to quantify the loss, an ear, nose, and throat examination including nasal endoscopy, and imaging studies such as MRI to identify any underlying causes.
Yes, many cases of anosmia can be improved or reversed depending on the cause. Treatments include removal or shrinking of nasal polyps, steroid therapy for inflammation, antibiotics for infections, and newer therapies like PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) therapy and smell therapy for nerve-related or persistent cases.
PRP therapy is a regenerative treatment that uses concentrated platelets from the patient's own blood to promote tissue repair. When applied near the olfactory fibers in the nasal cavity, it may help restore nerve-related loss of smell by supporting nerve regeneration.
Smell therapy involves repeated exposure to specific scents to stimulate and potentially restore olfactory function. It has been shown to benefit many people with persistent anosmia, especially when nerve-related damage is involved.
Some doctors may give up quickly because anosmia can be complex and challenging to treat, especially when no obvious cause is found through imaging or endoscopy. However, newer therapies and thorough evaluations can offer hope for improvement in many cases.
Individuals experiencing persistent loss of smell, especially without clear cause or improvement, should seek specialized care at centers like the NY Sinus Center. Specialists can review prior tests and recommend advanced treatments such as PRP or smell therapy.
