Loss of Smell (Anosmia)

Loss of Smell (Anosmia)

Loss of smell is the state of losing the ability to detect smells, either partially or completely. It may be temporary or permanent. Anosmia is the clinical term used for this condition.

CAUSES

1. Blockage of nasal passage
2. Destruction of temporal lobular tissue
3. COVID-19 infection
4. Upper respiratory tract infection
5. Damage to olfactory receptor neurons
6. Early signs of Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease
7. Nasal polyps
8. Head trauma
9. Stroke
10. Exposure to toxic chemicals
11. Medications

TYPES

• Specific anosmia: Anosmia for one particular smell
• Congenital anosmia: Absence of the sense of smell since birth
• Hyposmia: Reduced ability to smell
• Parosmia: Distorted odor reception
• Phantosmia: Olfactory hallucination

AYURVEDIC CONCEPT

Ayurvedic science usually refers to this as ‘Ghrana nasha,’ where ghrana means smell and nasha means loss of sensation. According to Ayurveda, this is due to the dislodgement of aggravated Vata dosha.

TREATMENT

The holistic treatment of Ayurveda suggests:

1. NASYA: Administration of medicated oil or liquid as nasal drops through the nasal passage.
2. VAMANA: A process where herbs are used to induce vomiting as a way to clear out phlegm deposits from the nasal and oral routes.
3. DHOOMAPANA: The patient is asked to inhale herbal smoke to induce coughing and expel mucus from the nasal/oral passage.
4. KABALAM & GANDUSAM: Kavala is a procedure of holding a comparatively small quantity of liquid in the mouth. Filling the mouth in the morning with oil or medicated water daily and holding it for a few minutes without moving it inside the oral cavity is called Gandusha.