Loss of taste and smell can have a significant impact on quality of life. It can make food less enjoyable and make it difficult to identify danger signals in the environment, such as smoke or gas leaks. 

According to US News and World Report - in an article published on the Harvard Health Publishing website - around 86% of patients with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms have reported experiencing a loss of smell and taste.‍Head and neck surgery experts aren't sure exactly why temporary anosmia (loss of smell) and ageusia (loss of taste) occur in COVID patients. One theory is that the virus causes olfactory nerve inflammation, which disrupts the connection between the nerve and the brain. The same theory applies when your nasal passages are blocked due to nasal polyps or even a simple common cold.‍When the olfactory system is affected, it's not just your ability to smell that's diminished - it's your sense of taste, too. COVID-19 does not directly affect your taste buds and there is no known damage to the tongue. However, your sense of taste is linked to your ability to smell, so when you can't smell properly, your brain doesn't receive the full range of flavor cues as well. This is why food may taste bland or unappetizing when you have a cold or other upper respiratory infections.

Scientists are still trying to figure out exactly how COVID-19 affects the human body, but the virus is believed to cause temporary olfactory dysfunction by attacking the nerve cells in your nose instead of damaging the olfactory neurons. This is exactly the reason why many COVID patients regain their sense of smell and taste after recovering from the infection.‍Nasal symptoms associated with COVID-19, such as a runny nose, stuffy nose, and congestion, can also impact your sense of smell. This is because the mucus produced by these symptoms can temporarily block your olfactory receptors, making it difficult for you to identify tastes and smells.

There are many reasons why your sense of smell might not be as sharp as it used to be. It could be due to nasal congestion, sinus infection, allergies, or even just aging. Smell loss is also a common symptom of COVID-19, so if you experience a sudden loss of smell, it's important to get tested right away.‍When the olfactory nerves, which are responsible for our sense of smell, are damaged, it can cause a condition called anosmia. Anosmia can make life difficult and even dangerous, as it can make it hard to detect things like smoke or gas leaks. It can also affect your ability to taste food properly.‍Whether your sense of smell has diminished due to age or illness, there are a number of ways you can improve or relearn it. In this article, Prince Health and Wellness, the leading chiropractic practice in The Woodlands, TX is pleased to share the top five ways to improve your sense of smell.