Our olfactory organ is quite sensitive and sometimes reacts very strongly to irritation. However, if the olfactory cells in our nose are overexcited or inflamed, even a temporary loss of odors can occur. In particularly severe cases, the loss of the sense of smell, also called anosmia, is permanent. We present some illness-related causes that can lead to the loss of odors.
How do we actually smell?
For many mammals, a pronounced sense of smell is essential. In order to recognize dangers from the environment, identify edible foods, or find prey, most mammals are dependent on their noses. From an evolutionary point of view, the sense of smell is no longer so important for us humans, but we still have to be able to rely on our noses in order to be able to sniff out bad foods or environmental dangers such as fire and gas. So it is possible for us to distinguish between 10,000 smells. And how exactly does smell work with us humans?
In our nasal mucosa, there is a special area in the region of the nasal roof, which is equipped with special olfactory cells. This area is called an olfactory mucosa and counts about 10 million olfactory cells. There are olfactory cells that absorb smells from the environment via filigree taster hair. If an odor molecule has bound to a suitable receptor of a trial hair of an olfactory cell, the olfactory cell releases a special electrical signal. This signal is passed on directly via smells to the brain, where it is processed and interpreted in the smell of the Reichen, a small thickening in the front brain base.
Our ability to smell depends largely on the error-free function of the olfactory cells and smells. However, if these cells are functional, our smell apparatus can fail completely. These causes can cost us the sense of smell.
These 4 causes can trigger anosmia
Viral respiratory infections
One of the most common causes of temporary anosmia is respiratory infections. Even a simple cold can affect the olfactory cells in the nasal roof so much that no signals are led to the brain. In the event of colds, the mucous membranes of the nose also swell heavily. We only get heavy air because the narrow nasal airways are closed. If there is no longer any fresh air to the olfactory cells, they can of course not forward odor information.
There is a particularly common loss of odors in a Covid 19 infection. In the meantime, anosmia is one of the key symptoms of the disease. The viruses ensure severe inflammation of the olfactory cells and support cells in the nasal roof. Sometimes the cells die and are not reproduced. Then the strong restriction of the sense of smell or the complete loss of odors is sometimes permanent.
Parkinson's
In the disease of the central nervous system, nerve cells die in the brain. In addition to the effects on the motor function of the muscles, one of the more common symptoms of the disease is a limited sense of smell and even a complete loss of odors. In fact, researchers found that the loss of the sense of smell in many Parkinson's sufferers occurred years before the typical symptoms of the disease. When examining more precisely, it was found that the olfactory piston in the brain of those affected by nerve disease was only about half as large as in people who were not ill.
Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are benign ulcers of the nasal mucosa. They escape the mucous membrane in the nasal mussels and are connected to the mucous membrane via tissue steam. Depending on how large a polyp becomes or how many such polyps grow in the sinuses, nasal breathing can be severely restricted. Less fresh air on the olfactory cells then also means the loss of the sense of smell. Nasal polyps often also cause headaches and feelings of pressure in the medium face.
Toxic environmental substances and pollutants
The olfactory cells of our freaky apparatus are so sensitive that certain environmental toxins or pollutants from the environment can damage them. We all know the biting "smells" in the nose, for example from certain cleaning agents. Such high chemical irritants can damage the sensitive cells of our olfactory mucosa so much that they can die and cannot regenerate. This can have an impact on our sense of smell. If the olfactory mucosa is chronically irritated by such substances, there is a risk of nasal loss of sensory. Formaldehyde and pesticides are particularly harmful. But tobacco smoke is also pure poison for our noses.
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