Almost all our life, we have taken our sense of smell for granted. But since this pandemic has begun, the first thing we do after we wake up in the morning is to check whether we can smell or not. Never would we have ever thought about what it would be like to have no smell or taste at all. To be honest, we never thought it would be an issue to consider. But look at how the tables have turned.
The loss of smell and taste is considered as an important element in many medical conditions. Simple colds to sinus infections and also Alzheimer’s, loss of smell and taste is alarming. The complete loss of smell is called anosmia.
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Do We Lose Taste And Smell In Other Cold Too Or Is It Just COVID19?
It has been a while that all we’re thinking about is if we have been exposed to COVID19 already or not. We have almost forgotten what it feels to have a normal cold and flu. But, the thing is that if we look back and realize, our sense of taste and smell was always upset when we suffered from that clogged nose and sore throat. Though the intensity of the loss varies in every disease this is not a new trait. Losing our sense of taste and smell is quite normal. Then why so hyped and worried about it?.
Why Does It Happen?
There are multiple reasons due to which we can suffer from anosmia. Some are natural and some causes have a strong medical background.
Some of the common causes of Anosmia are:
- Nose injury
- Head trauma.
- Exposure to toxic chemicals
- As a result of some medications i.e antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medication, and heart medications.
- Medical conditions i.e Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, nutritional deficiencies, congenital conditions, and hormonal disturbances.
- Radiation treatment for cancers
Is It An Early Sign Of COVID19?
Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have been experiencing that every person has different symptoms. The most common symptom amongst them all is the loss of smell. Loss of smell and taste may be one of the first symptoms of COVID19. According to the doctors, almost 70% of the patients who have tested positive have lost their sense of taste and smell.
When Does It Come Back?
Unfortunately, it is very difficult to mention when exactly it comes back as every person reported their own recovery duration. Furthermore, there is no particular medication that can help bring back your sense of smell after having a virus.
It can take a minimum of 15 days to a maximum of 4 months to come back to normal.
Should We Still Go For A PCR Test For Reassurance?
If you experience a loss of taste and smell in the times of COVID pandemic then yes, it is recommended to get a PCR test done for reassurance. If the test comes positive, consult your doctor to know about how many days should you quarantine yourself.
Will It Be Gone Permanently?
No, almost 80% of the people who have experienced the loss of taste and smell report that it usually comes back on its own after 15 days. The new nerve cells grow their connections back up into the brain to restore the pathway. But, it very much depends if a person has existing underlying issues or not. Having underlying issues can prolong your recovery time.
Marham Can Help You!
If you are afraid to step out of your house and go to the hospitals and if you have lost your sense of taste and smell, do not panic. Isolate yourself as soon as you can and consult a doctor through video consultation. Video consultation will allow you to be connected directly to the doctor as many times as you want to whilst being in quarantine.
To talk to a doctor online, install our app, and avail the services right on your mobile. Install your mobile app through the links provided below:
Android Users:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=controllers.marham.marhammed&hl=en
Drop a review for us at Playstore if you’ve had a good experience!
IPhone Users:
https://apps.apple.com/pk/app/marham-find-a-doctor/id1095243102
Stay Home Stay Safe!
