Loss of smell, which affects around one in twenty people, affects almost every aspect of their daily life, from personal hygiene to loss of sexual intimacy and breakdown of personal relationships.
A new study reveals that almost every aspect of life is disrupted by loss of smell. The researchers hope to motivate clinicians to take smell loss issues more seriously to provide better help and support to patients. The results of the study have been published in Clinical Otolaryngology.
Olfactory disorders affect about 5% of the population and cause them to lose their sense of smell or change the way these people perceive odors. Nasal polyposis is one of the most common reasons for loss of smell without serious illness, but it’s not the only one. “There are many causes: infections, injuries, neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease or certain side effects of medications,” writes Carl Philipott, lead author of the study.
no longer feel the danger
Previous scientific research has shown that people who have lost their sense of smell also report high rates of depression, anxiety, isolation, and relationship difficulties. However, the daily repercussions of the loss of smell are little known. The researchers wanted to know more and did a study that involved 71 participants aged 31 to 80 who gave feedback to the researchers.
Participants noted negative emotional influence and feelings of isolation related to loss of smell, but also impaired daily functioning, physical health, and difficulty in seeking medical support. Another element that is characteristic of the loss of smell: the perception of dangers. Thus, participants noted not being able to smell food that had disappeared, not being able to smell gas or smoke. Problems that have resulted in serious near-misses for some. “Smell is not only a sense that saves lives, it also improves life”, adds Carl Philpott.
A changed appetite, forgotten memories
Appetite is one of the elements that came up the most in the feedback from study participants. Some said they no longer liked to eat and lost a lot of weight, while others ate low-nutrition foods that were higher in fat, salt and sugar and therefore gained weight. “Participants had lost interest in preparing food, and some said they were too shy to serve food to family and friends, which had an impact on their social life,” notes Carl Philipott.
Another parameter that causes the loss of smell is the inability to relate smells to happy memories, such as Christmas, perfumes or people. “Smells connect us to people, places and emotional experiences. People who have lost their sense of smell miss out on all these memories that smell can evoke”, explains the researcher.
Feelings of frustration, anger and anxiety
Hygiene is another major problem induced by this olfactory disorder. The participants explained that they no longer felt and thus no longer were able to know what odor they give off, creating a significant cause of anxiety and embarrassment. In addition, parents of young children are no longer able to know when their child is dirty and are therefore no longer able to take care of their newborn as they would like. “A mother said she had trouble bonding with her new baby because she couldn’t feel him,” says Carl Philipott.
All these problems, which accumulate, create in these people feelings of anger, anxiety, frustration and even depression which affect their sentimental and social life. The lack of knowledge about these consequences, especially among professionals, increases the feeling of isolation among these people. A feeling that the researchers hope to reverse with this study they carried out in partnership with Fifth Sense, a charity for people with olfactory and taste disorders.
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