This is an automatically translated article.
Loss of smell is common after you have been infected with certain viruses such as colds and flu or recently, it is due to infection with covid-19. Most cases of olfaction recover on its own, but some are more difficult. Let's refer to some ways that you can use to help reduce the loss of smell through the article below.
1. What causes loss of sense of smell?
There are many causes for you to lose your sense of smell, some of which are common include:
Infection with common respiratory viruses: Like colds and flu viruses, these viruses can cause your nose to become infected. swelling, making you suffocate. This causes a loss or decrease in the sense of smell. Corona virus infection: This is one of the most common causes of loss of smell. Loss of smell is often accompanied by loss or decreased taste, which is quite characteristic of patients with covid 19. The underlying mechanism of odor loss in COVID-19 is still being explored. However, several hypotheses and initial observations may explain why loss of smell and taste is more common in COVID-19 patients even in the absence of other symptoms of nasal congestion, as with SARS, colds and flu. cold and flu. It is hypothesized that the main cause may be damage to the supporting cells of the olfactory nerve cells, called the centrosomes. These cells can be regenerated from stem cells which is why the ability to smell recovers quickly in most cases. The issue of post-covid loss of smell is something that everyone is concerned about because there are quite a few people who are experiencing this condition every day. This affects the quality of life and work for people who need to smell to perform work and sometimes causes depression for many patients.
2. How long does the post-covid loss of smell last?
According to statistics, about 90% of people with a disease that affects the sense of smell can improve their condition within four weeks, or there are people who recover faster or longer in a few months.
In rare cases, recovery may be incomplete with persistent or irreversible impairment of smell.
3. How to regain the sense of smell
There are many cases of symptoms of prolonged loss of smell, causing confusion and anxiety, affecting health.
Although, there is no proven remedy to completely improve your sense of smell. But you can take supportive measures that can reduce this condition including:
During acute illness:
Corticosteroid sprays: When you are confirmed to have covid 19 you can take measures Short-term spray of topical corticosteroids to limit the risk of long-term loss of smell. However, the use of the drug needs to be prescribed and monitored by a doctor, not self-administered because it is likely to make the nose worse. Practice sniffing to improve your sense of smell: When you are sick, you can inhale herbs (lemongrass, ginger, orange peel, tangerine peel, rosemary ...) or essential oils with a clear scent and clear nose to stimulate sense of smell and improve disease symptoms. However, you should not steam too many times a day and with hot water because it damages the nasal mucosa. In the later stages: Post-covid loss of smell some people unfortunately experience irreversible loss of smell. As mentioned, although there is no specific remedy, the practice of smelling odors can be effective. You should choose between 4 and 5 strong and familiar scents so that you can practice the smell, and smell the scents twice a day for 20 to 30 seconds.
Some ways to practice smelling are as follows:
Practice smelling with ginger: This is a very common spice in daily life. You can start practicing from it. First you take a few slices of ginger, then add a little hot water for 5 minutes to make the smell of ginger more obvious, then you start to practice sending ginger for about 1 minute. When you have finished smelling, you can drink a cup of prepared ginger juice, good for health. This exercise should be repeated every day. Tangerine peel, orange peel or lemon peel: These are easy to find ingredients and have a specific smell. You should choose one of the 3 types and do daily sniffing exercises. Twice a day, you can add hot water to this shell, then practice smelling it, then you can drink it to feel it by taste. Peppermint: This is a commonly used spice but has a very specific smell, you can use this plant or menthol to practice the smell. You take a few leaves or a few drops of peppermint essential oil and then add it to a cup or bowl, then add hot water. Then cover your head and inhale this essential oil for 5 to 10 minutes. Eucalyptus Oil: Eucalyptus oil contains eucalyptol which has anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties, which in turn help relieve symptoms of upper respiratory tract diseases that cause loss of smell and taste. How to do take 1 drop of eucalyptus extract and add to a bowl of hot water, then cover your head with a towel and smell it for 10-15 minutes, it should be done twice a day. Avoid inhaling too much undiluted eucalyptus oil because it can cause dizziness, stomach pain, fatigue, nausea... Choose 4 essential oils such as rose, clove, cajeput oil, lemongrass.. .then add in 4 different jars. Then you can practice sniffing each bottle one by one for 10-20 seconds. Twice a day. Essential oils or vascular aromas have a nerve-stimulating effect, so you should also do this aromatherapy. Note that you should smell about 2cm away from your nose and always choose a safe type. You can choose from a few other essential oils, which are safe and have specific smells to practice your sense of smell. Because the implementation takes a long time, you should pay attention to choose a safe and easy-to-find, friendly type so that you can do it regularly. Reports show that regular olfactory training can be effective in helping you regain your sense of smell or partially improve it. But the important thing is that you have to be persistent.
In addition, to prevent the loss of smell after covid is that you do not get infected with covid. Should do 5k and fully vaccinated to help prevent disease effectively.
Above are some measures to help you regain your sense of smell. It's a pity if you are someone who has lost their sense of smell that does not recover after being infected with covid, but don't be pessimistic, doing olfactory exercises regularly can help you regain your sense of smell.
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