Question: I fell and I hit head on radiator, blacked out, hospital was vague and unhelpful, found that I have loss of smell and taste from trauma. Can you help? I have some taste of salt. It depresses me. Nobody seems to know anything about this, have any serious ideas. Everybody wants to meet me and charge for consultations. Stupid I am not. But tired of USA doctors. In other countries they will at least say “nothing known about cures for this” but here I get “buy this, eat that” – trivia, as if it were a minor issue.
Answer: Loss of the sense of smell (anosmia) is a major problem, as you well know. It is important for our safety (spoiled foods, smoke, gas) and for our enjoyment of every day life. Loss of smell can be a predictor of neurologic diseases, such as Parkison’s and early dementia.
We at the NY Sinus Center, take the loss of smell as a serious problem and are working to help people like you with the loss of smell and taste.
It is important to find the cause of one’s loss of smell- in this case it seems likely to be the head trauma.
Recent research has shown that early treatment may be beneficial. Studies have shown that in some cases, treatment of sinus disease may help and prednisone early in the loss may be effective. Some newer therapies that we are using include theophylline nasal sprays and smell therapy. They may be effective in later stages, but as time goes on, any treatment is less likely to help.
I wish we could say that a particular therapy will be effective in any individual- specifically in your problem.
I am attaching a power point of a recent continuing medical education lecture I gave to Ear Nose and Throat specialists on this problem.
I hope this clears things up.
Robert Pincus MD
Co-Director NY Sinus Center.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, head trauma can lead to loss of sense of smell (anosmia) and taste, as these senses can be affected by injury to the olfactory nerves or brain regions responsible for processing these sensations. It is important to identify head trauma as a potential cause to guide appropriate treatment options.
Loss of smell affects safety by impairing the ability to detect dangers like smoke, gas leaks, or spoiled food. It also significantly reduces quality of life by diminishing taste and enjoyment of food. Additionally, anosmia can be an early sign of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia.
Recent research suggests that early treatments may help, including managing underlying sinus disease and using medications like prednisone. Newer therapies such as theophylline nasal sprays and smell training therapy are also being explored, though their effectiveness may decrease over time after the injury.
Some doctors may not have specialized knowledge about anosmia or rely on anecdotal or minor remedies, which might not address the underlying cause. The complexity of loss of smell, especially from head trauma, requires specialized evaluation and potentially cutting-edge therapies, which not all practitioners are familiar with.
Patients are encouraged to seek evaluation at specialized centers like the NY Sinus Center that focus on olfactory disorders. Early diagnosis and treatment offer the best chance for improvement. It's important to find an expert who understands the complexity of anosmia and offers evidence-based therapies.
Yes, loss of smell can be an early symptom of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease and early dementia. Therefore, patients experiencing unexplained anosmia should be evaluated carefully to monitor for potential neurologic disorders.
Innovative treatments include theophylline nasal sprays and smell training therapy, which aim to restore olfactory function. These therapies may be more effective if started early but might offer some benefit even in later stages of anosmia.
