Loss of sense of smell when having a cold

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Surely many people who have a cold will temporarily lose their sense of smell, which is a common symptom of a cold. So do colds lose their sense of smell? When the sinuses swell or become clogged with mucus, they block odor receptors in the nasal tissue. Fortunately, this is usually a temporary condition that is easily remedied after the cold has passed. Read more below to learn more about loss of smell when you have a cold.

1. What is a cold?

A cold is a viral infection of the nose and throat. Colds can involve the sinuses, ears, larynx, trachea, and bronchi directly or through side effects. The presence of the virus causes inflammation of the mucous membranes in the nose, so swelling is accompanied by congestion (nasal congestion) and increased mucus secretion.
One to three days after exposure, a cold begins with a sore throat, nasal discomfort, and sneezing. This is followed by a runny nose and feeling unwell.
Colds are not usually associated with high fever (fever should not exceed 38.5°C).
Headache, fatigue, and muscle aches may occur. The watery secretions thicken during the first day and are yellow or green in color due to the presence of white cells. This is the time when a bacterial infection can make it worse. Because the lining of the upper respiratory tract is currently inflamed, it is easier for bacteria that normally live on the surface to get in.
In addition, the obstruction of the narrow airways from the nose to the sinuses allows the accumulation of mucus secretions in the sinuses, where bacteria can multiply.
Similarly, the Eustachian tube extending from the throat to the middle ear can close, leading to a middle ear infection (otitis media). In children, the virus itself can cause middle ear infections and sinusitis.
Postnasal drip, where infected secretions run down the back of the throat (usually causing an uncomfortable burning sensation), is not an uncommon sequelae of a cold.
Laryngitis and tracheobronchitis can result from viral and/or bacterial infection of the upper respiratory tract. Inflammation and swelling of the vocal cords (which render them immobile) is what causes the loss of voice in laryngitis.
Progression down the airways leads to bronchitis.
Cough is caused by irritation of the lining of these airways. The cough is usually worse when going to bed at night or waking up in the morning due to the movement of secretions in response to the change of position. If other symptoms are improving and the cough doesn't last long and doesn't work, it's not a cause for concern.
Colds can also aggravate other underlying illnesses. For example, chronic bronchitis caused by smoking can flare up with a profuse cough and sputum production. It can worsen airway constriction in people with asthma, leading to a sudden asthma attack.
When there are no complications, the cold will clear up in 4 to 10 days.

2. Does a cold lose its sense of smell?

Have you ever lost your sense of smell when you have a cold? Many people with a cold lose their sense of smell because as the lungs expand and the body breathes, air first enters through the nostrils and passes through the main nasal cavity under the nasal bones and above the roof of the mouth. This cavity has three convex and three segments. The upper stoma at the top of the nasal cavity conducts air through the upper stomata while below them, the medial and inferior stomata conduct air into the medial and lower metas. All three segments join at the back of the throat to travel down the windpipe to the lungs. All walkways are lined with mucous membranes and fine hairs to trap dust and other foreign particles, including potentially harmful bacteria.
At the top of the higher fleshy layer, the air-filtering hairs are longer and are responsible for the sense of smell of the nose. The olfactory bulbs are located here, and the neurons sense the presence of impurities in the air, resulting in signals that the brain interprets as odors. Although the sense of smell is often overlooked, it is the main warning mechanism for the body to determine if food has spoiled, is in danger of smoke or fire, and to monitor cleanliness.
Nasal anatomy supports the olfactory function of the nose. The three holes through the main nasal cavity share the airflow, but only the upper fleshy part has hairs and smell cells. Air passes through the nasal passages quite quickly and often too quickly to perceive odors in detail. Most of the air passes through the lower two sections, but the long hairs on the upper section slow down the airflow and give the odor sensor more time to work.
When an odorant is in the air, it is absorbed by the lining of the walls of the upper aisle. Nerve cells are located under the mucosa and are sensitive to various substances. Each of these olfactory neurons has an odor receptor that is stimulated by microscopic molecules secreted by substances around us. When a neuron is activated by the presence of molecules in the lining, it sends a signal to the brain that the brain interprets as an odor. Odor reaches the olfactory receptors through two pathways. The first is through the nostrils, and the second is through a canal connecting the nasopharynx to the nose. Fragrances from foods release aromas through a second channel. Most odors are synthetic, taking the signals of a number of different cells that react to different substances and interpreting those signals as a particular odor. For example, the smell of smoke can be related to dozens of impurities in the air, but their combination is interpreted as smoke. The smell of sweat has dozens of different components, and the brain has learned to interpret that combination as the smell of sweat.
When the nose is working properly, it helps protect the respiratory system and can give out important sensory signals. These can be warnings of dangerous or unpleasant situations, or they can be positive experiences accompanied by pleasant odors.
When you have a cold, the swelling of the nasal mucosa or a certain part will interfere with the reception and analysis of the smell of the olfactory slit located high on the roof of your nose. Here, special cells sense the different odors present in the air we breathe and then send signals to the brain via the olfactory nerve. Virus damage to olfactory receptors and surrounding cells, or any abnormality in this process, can cause loss of smell. And that is also the reason why you lose your sense of smell when you have a cold.

3. How to deal with loss of sense of smell when having a cold

Most colds go away on their own without too much intervention and if the sense of smell is lost due to a cold, it will also go away when the disease is in remission. But if you are too uncomfortable with the symptoms of a cold and especially the loss of smell, you can refer to the ways below:
3.1. Castor Oil The ricinoleic acid in castor oil has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Using castor oil as a nasal drop can help ease the symptoms of swelling and inflammation caused by a cold or flu, thus restoring your sense of smell.
Preparation:
1 teaspoon warmed cold pressed castor oil Do:
Put a drop of warmed castor oil into each of your nostrils. You should: Do this twice daily - once in the morning and once in the evening.
3.2. Garlic Folk still spread about the anti-inflammatory effect of garlic. Compounds in garlic have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. This can help treat a stuffy nose, relieving cold and flu-like symptoms. This can help you breathe easier and restore your sense of smell and taste.
Preparation:
2-3 cloves of minced garlic 1 cup of water Procedure:
Boil a cup of water in a pot. Add minced garlic cloves and simmer for a few minutes. Strain and drink the tea. You should: You can drink this water twice daily.
3.3. Ginger Ginger's warming properties can help treat colds. The strong aroma of ginger enhances your sense of smell.
Preparation:
Peeled Ginger Practice:
Chew the peeled ginger at regular intervals. Alternatively, you can drink ginger tea. You should: Do this daily.
Note: If you consume ginger in large quantities, it can cause heartburn, throat irritation and in some cases, diarrhea.
3.4. Lemon Lemon is acidic, rich in vitamin C and has antibacterial activity. Its characteristic smell, along with its chemical composition, can help reduce infections that cause stuffy/runny noses.
Preparation:
1/2 lemon 1 glass of warm water Honey (according to demand) Implementation:
Squeeze a lemon into a cup of warm water Add a little honey and stir well. You should: Drink this water twice daily, preferably before meals.
Note: Do not use this remedy if you have a throat infection as it may worsen it.

3.5. Apple Cider Vinegar Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial are two outstanding properties of apple cider vinegar. May help fight infection-causing bacteria and relieve nasal congestion.
Preparation:
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar 1 cup water Honey (as needed) Implementation:
Pour apple cider vinegar into a cup of warm water. Add a little honey as needed. Mix well and drink the mixture. You should: You can drink this water once per day.
Note: Consuming uncontrolled amounts of undiluted apple cider vinegar can cause enamel wear, digestive disorders and increased potassium levels in your body.
3.6. Cinnamon Cinnamon Like apple cider vinegar is a good choice for your sense of smell
Preparation:
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder 1 teaspoon honey Directions:
Mix half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder with a teaspoon of honey. Apply this mixture on your tongue and leave it on for about 10 minutes. You should: Do this twice daily.
Note: Consuming too much cinnamon can cause mouth sores. Do not use this remedy for more than the prescribed dose.
3.7. Menthol, the main component of mint leaves, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. These substances can help ease cold and flu symptoms that can prevent your sense of smell from working properly.
Preparation:
10-15 mint leaves 1 cup water Honey Preparation:
Add 10 to 15 mint leaves to a cup of water. Bring the mixture to a boil then bring to a simmer. When the tea cools down a bit, add some honey. Drink while still warm You should: drink peppermint tea twice daily.
3.8. Eucalyptus oil Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol (1.8-cineole). The anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties of eucalyptol help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract diseases that can cause loss of smell.
Preparation:
1 drop of eucalyptus oil 1 bowl of water A bath towel Procedure:
Add a drop of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. Take a breath and put a towel over your head. Continue for 10 to 15 minutes. You should: You can do this 1 to 2 times per day.
Note: Inhaling too much undiluted vapors of eucalyptus oil can cause dizziness, upset stomach, nausea, weakness, etc. Therefore, make sure you stick to the amount specified above.

3.9. Clear your nose A cold causes a runny nose, so you should also clean your nose with warm saline or saline nasal sprays that are readily available in the market.
You must know that your lifestyle and diet also play a huge role in restoring your lost sense of smell. While you are following the above remedies, also remember to live healthier, do light exercise and change your eating habits (increasing foods rich in vitamins A, vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin E such as shellfish, cereals, cheese and milk,...).

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References: my.clevelandclinic.org, sciencing.com, stylecraze.com