- About 86 percent of people with COVID-19 lose some or their ability to smell.
- But most who lost their sense of smell got a mild form of the disease, according to a new study.
- Researchers believe that patients with mild illness may have higher levels of specific antibodies that prevent COVID-19 from spreading to the nose.
Loss of odor has become a hallmark of some cases of COVID-19. Now experts are learning how this symptom may indicate whether a person appears to have a severe issue.
About 86 percent of people with COVID-19 lose some or their ability to smell. But most who lost their sense of smell (nearly 55 percent) had a moderate form of the disease, according to a new study published this week.
Researchers say the reason for this is not fully understood. However, they believe that patients with mild illness may have higher levels of specific antibodies that prevent COVID-19 from spreading to the nose.
However, a definitive answer is not yet achievable, Dr. Jonathan Overdevest, associate professor of rhinology and skull base surgery at Columbia University, told Healthline.
“We know that odor loss in COVID-19 is greater than the simple method we see with seasonal high respiratory infections, where common symptoms of nasal congestion and a runny nose lead to poor airflow and more delivery. less odor to the nasal area that is responsible for smell, ”he said.
The study analyzed data reported by patients from 2,581 individuals across 18 European hospitals.
Researchers found that nearly 55 percent of patients with moderate form of COVID-19 experienced a degree of odor loss (anosmia). Loss of odor lasted about 22 days.
This compares with about 37 percent of moderate-to-severe cases of the disease. And patients who survived acute COVID-19 reported severe odor loss, at just 6.9 percent.
Asked why odor loss may be more common in mild cases than bad COVID-19, Overdevest said most mild cases may have something to do with it.
“The clarity of this connection is limited by a number of difficult things. However, one major bias in reaching this conclusion is one bias and statistic, ”he said. “Where the actual number of COVID-19 cases is milder compared to severe cases there is greater variation for individuals. ”
Nearly 25 percent of people affected said they did not experience a sense of smell even 60 days after losing it.
“According to the study, most people regain their sense of smell within 3 weeks,” said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. “But it can take up to 2 months in 15 per cent of patients or up to 6 months in just under 5 per cent of patients. ”
Glatter confirmed that to date most patients do not appear to have a permanent loss. However, he warned “we still need to keep a close eye on patients who are still losing their scent. ”
According to Glatter, other respiratory viruses such as cold viruses (rhinoviruses) or other common coronaviruses can experience temporary loss and odor for up to a week.
“People usually get over it quickly without a long-term impairment of taste or smell sensation,” he said, explaining that it is usually associated with simple nasal congestion or swelling of the nasal passages, “Compared to damaging support cells for seeing vital nerve cells in people diagnosed with COVID-19. “
Unlike sight or hearing, you may not lose your sense of smell that bad. However, Glatter said it can cause serious health issues.
“It simply came to our notice then. Patients with preexisting mental illness such as depression or anxiety can make symptoms worse, ”he said. “Those who have no prior history of depression may experience feelings of anxiety, depression or loneliness. ”
Also, the ability to detect odors is critical to detecting hazards in our environment.
Glatter said that while sense of smell is closely linked to enjoying our lives, smell is also crucial for detecting hazards such as smoke from fire, toxic smoke, or even bad smells from spoiled food.
“Smell is an essential part of our safety by being an alarm system, but it also works to bring us happiness in everyday life,” he said. “This includes eating, drinking, enjoying the fragrance of a flower, or just the beauty of nature itself. ”
If you experience a loss of smell, Overdevest said there are things you can do that can help you recover, as well as just waiting for it.
“The best level of evidence supports the integration of an olfactory training protocol into your practice,” he said. “This protocol focuses on the use of sets of essential oils to promote both an understanding of the smell of that oil as well as images of that smell. “
According to Overdevest, rose oil is one of the oils in this protocol. The idea is to smell the scent in short whiffs “then ponder what roses were melting before and complete images of roses.”
He said other treatments that have different levels of evidence “include conventional steroids, and several additional products. ”
An ongoing clinical trial is currently looking at omega-3 acidic products as a potential way to treat odor loss. There is also evidence that one essential miner can cause overuse.
One recently
A new study finds that about 86 percent of people with COVID-19 lose their scent. However, this occurred much more frequently in patients with a moderate form of the disease.
Researchers say that loss of smell is not due to nasal congestion, as in other seasonal respiratory ailments. But admit they still don’t know why it happens with COVID-19.
They believe it may be related to the way antibodies react to infection with the novel coronavirus.
Experts say this condition is not usually permanent, and there are ways to help restore your sense of smell by using essential oils and specialty products.