Our sense of smell plays a fundamental role in our lives: from our perception of the taste of food to the detection of dangers, the formation of memories and even social relationships, much of what surrounds us reaches the brain as an electrical impulse caused by an aromatic or odoriferous particle and is processed to give us information about the world in which we live.

The way in which we process smells has a unique feature compared to other senses: it is deeply emotional. This distinction originates in the neural trajectory that an aromatic molecule follows when it reaches our nose. On the one hand, it is directed towards the orbitofrontal cortex, where information is processed in a similar way to visual information, in a rational way. Here we understand and analyze what we are smelling. However, there is a second pathway that leads to the limbic system, involving areas such as the hippocampus and the cerebral amygdala, responsible for emotional processes. Thus, while vision is directly related to reason, the sense of smell has a deeper relationship with emotions.

For this reason, anosmia, an olfactory disorder that is characterized by the total or partial loss of the sense of smell, has a significant impact on the quality of life of those who suffer from it, with effects such as the loss of pleasure in food, the inability to detect dangerous odors such as gas or smoke, and difficulties in social and emotional relationships due to the lack of connection with the world through the sense of smell. Health, hormones, and behavior are influenced by everything we smell, and anosmia can even lead to depression and anxiety.

Anosmia can be temporary or permanent and affects people of all ages. The main causes of this loss of smell can be from a temporary nasal congestion due to an allergy or cold, the use of certain medications, a congenital or hereditary condition, injuries from blows to the head or even from neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or multiple sclerosis and, in recent years, COVID-19.

The treatment of anosmia depends on what originally caused it. Occasionally, such as in the case of nasal congestion caused by a cold, the sense of smell may naturally recover once the main condition is resolved. However, in more complex situations, specific treatment aimed at addressing the underlying cause may be required, and olfactory rehabilitation may even be necessary to promote recovery of lost olfactory function.

In summary, anosmia is an olfactory disorder that can have various causes and can have a significant impact on the quality of life. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience a sudden loss of the sense of smell to identify the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.

 

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