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Losing taste and smell after contracting COVID-19 is a common symptom of the virus. While the mechanism behind this is not yet fully understood, scientists believe that COVID-19 seems to affect cells that support both smell and taste. This can result in a complete loss of these senses or a temporary decrease in the ability to taste or smell.
For some people, the loss of these senses can be one of the first signs that they have contracted COVID-19. For others, it may not appear until later on in the illness. Loss of smell and taste is now considered a key symptom of COVID-19, along with other symptoms like fever and dry cough.
There are a few theories as to why COVID-19 might cause a loss of smell and taste. One possibility is that the virus damages the cells in the nose and mouth that are responsible for these senses. Another possibility is that the virus directly targets the sustentacular cells, which are supporting cells that help to maintain the structure of taste buds.
When the olfactory nerve, which is responsible for the sense of smell, is damaged, it can cause a condition called anosmia. This can lead to a total loss of smell or a decrease in the ability to identify certain smells. A similar condition, called ageusia, can occur when the virus damages the gustatory nerve, which is responsible for the sense of taste. This can result in a complete loss of taste or a decrease in the ability to taste certain flavours.
Losing either or both your sense of smell and taste can have a significant impact on your quality of life. This can also lead to a hazardous event, which can be especially dangerous for those who are unable to smell smoke or gas.
Smell and taste problems related to COVID-19 usually improve within a few weeks. However, some people may experience long-term smell and taste problems after recovering from the virus. "Long COVID," as it is sometimes called, is a term used to describe the lingering effects that some people experience after recovering from COVID-19. These effects can include fatigue, anxiety, and brain fog, as well as problems with taste and smell.
There are several ways that you can try to treat the loss of taste and smell caused by COVID-19. Below are a few tips to help you get started.
Olfactory training is the process of retraining your olfactory sensory neurons to respond to smell. This can be done by exposing yourself to different smells on a daily basis. You can use essential oils, perfumes, or other strong-smelling substances for this purpose. Smell loss after COVID-19 is often temporary, so olfactory training may help to speed up your smell recovery.
Similar to olfactory training, gustatory training is the process of retraining your gustatory neurons to respond to taste. You can do simple things like brushing your teeth morning and evening and rinsing your mouth with water after every meal. You should also eat room-temperature foods as cold foods can numb your taste buds. If your meals taste bland, you can try to add seasonings and spices with strong flavours. Just beware of using too much sugar and salt, as these can have negative effects on your health.
There are a few medications that have been shown to be effective in treating the loss of smell and taste. These include zinc supplements, steroids, and immunosuppressants. If you are considering taking any of these medications, you should first consult with your primary care physician to see if they are right for you.
Taste and smell are chemical senses that are closely related. They both involve the detection of molecules in the environment and the transmission of this information to the brain. The ability to taste and smell requires a complex interplay between the sense organs, the nervous system, and the brain.
Chiropractic care is a treatment option that can help to improve the function of the nervous system. This, in turn, can lead to an improvement in taste and smell. Chiropractic adjustments can help restore smell and taste in those who have lost these senses due to COVID-19.
If you have exhausted all other treatment options and are still struggling with the loss of taste and smell after contracting COVID-19, our team at Prince Health and Wellness may be able to help. Our COVID loss of taste doctor can work with you to develop a treatment plan to support your recovery.
