Thursday, March 28, 2024

How To Get Smell Back After Sinus Infection

Getting Your Sense Of Taste Back

Lost Your Sense of Smell? Here’s How to Get it Back!

Sadly, for some people, the loss of taste results not from a physical blockage of nasal passages.

It could result from permanent damage to the nerve cells as a result of viral or bacterial infection.

In this situation, loss of smell and taste are usually irreversible. Chronic sinus infection could be a factor.

If youve lost your sense of taste temporarily, you should be able to recover it all after the inflammation has reduced.

There are some steps you can take to speed up your healing process.

How To Stop Postnasal Drip

A combination of preventative measures and medications can help put a stop to postnasal drip. Healthcare providers may recommend:

  • Staying hydrated, which can also help to thin mucus

  • Use a humidifier or vaporizer to keep the air moist

  • Propping yourself up with extra pillows when you sleep, so the mucus doesnt collect in the back of your throat

  • An oral medication such as guaifenesin , which can thin mucus

Its important to keep in mind that treatment for postnasal drip usually depends on what might be causing it. For instance, if your symptoms are caused by allergies, the first step might be trying to pinpoint what you are allergic to and avoiding those foods or triggers to the extent possible.

As a next step, there are several over-the-counter and prescription medications that can provide additional relief. They can help treat postnasal drip by calming down inflammation and thinning or drying up the mucus. Lets take a look at the different types of medications that you and a healthcare provider can consider to help stop postnasal drip.

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What Causes Loss Of Taste Smell With The Invasion Of Sinus Infection

Colds and sinus infections can cause general congestion. It is the most common and temporary cause of sinus infection. Typically, your smell returns after you get treated with congestion. While it is the most common offender, it can cause plenty of other issues that may all together lead to numbing of taste buds. This may include:

  • Radiation therapy
  • Upper Respiratory Infection

Most commonly upper respiratory infections cause the loss of smell and taste. This may include flu, and colds that cause nasal congestion. Upper respiratory infections can be treated with the help of over-the-counter medications. You may also use certain homemade remedies like the use of nasal sprays or taking steam, which may give your temporary relaxation from the congestion. The primary cause of sinus infection is chest congestion that brings cold and flu. It may return within a few days even after treatment. Though these remedies dont treat the congestion permanently, you can get relief for some time.

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How Long Does Loss Of Taste And Smell Last With A Sinus Infection

As we mentioned, your sense of taste is heavily linked to your sense of smell. Usually, a loss of taste is actually a loss of smell presenting itself elsewhere. Luckily, loss of taste from a sinus infection usually subsides when the infection itself clears up.

The tricky thing is that sinus infections can be chronic. A chronic sinus infection requires treatment that is more involved than using a nasal rinse or antibiotics. Chronic sinusitis complications can require much more immediate medical attention and cause permanent damage to your sense of taste and smell if left untreated.

The chronic inflammation experienced with a sinus infection can also cause swollen nasal polyps. Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths that appear in the nose, increasing your risk of rhinitis, sinus infections, bad allergies, and of course, a loss of taste and smell. If you have been experiencing chronic sinusitis symptoms seek medical attention and schedule an appointment to see an ENT as soon as possible.

It Smells Like Ammonia

The Best How To Get Taste And Smell Back Allergies References

Sneezes that give off an ammonia aroma or a hint of urine should give you pause.

This is likely linked to kidney problems, Dr. Del Signore says. When you have a kidney issue, ammonia is not excreted efficiently, and thus there is a buildup of exhaled ammonia, he explains.

Consider an ammonia-smelling sneeze to be a red flag, and see your doctor as soon as possible.

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How Does Loss Of Smell Happen

The nerves responsible for detecting smell are located high and deep inside the nose. When you have a cold or sinusitis, your nose fills with mucus and causes swelling. Because of this mucus and inflammation, the smell cant reach the top of the nasal cavity this results in a total or a partial loss of smell.

Other Factors To Consider

In any of these situations mentioned above, if OTC treatments do not provide rapid improvement in symptoms, seeing an ENT specialist can help differentiate between the various conditions that may be causing smell loss.

Your age as well as how long you have had symptoms of smell loss before seeking treatment, no matter what the cause, are the two main factors affecting your ability to regain your sense of smell. Therefore, if your smell does not return quickly, you should see an ENT specialist as soon as possible.

For those with loss of smell, there are safety concerns that should be considered, such as making sure all smoke detectors are working properly installing natural gas or propane leak alarms if there are gas appliances, fireplaces, furnaces, or water heaters in the home and checking food expiration dates.

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Can A Sinus Infection Make You Lose Sense Of Taste

A sinus infection can make you miserable, and thats not a surprise at all. But when foods that you would normally enjoy seem tasteless, its even more miserable. So why does this happen?

Whether you realize it or not, your sense of taste is linked to your sense of smell. In fact, much of what you taste is actually what you smell. When you have a sinus infection, the congestion that causes the infection can actually block your sense of smell. This is why you can seem to lose your sense of taste during a sinus infection.

Symptoms of a Sinus Infection can vary from person to person, but they often include at least a few of the following:

  • Sinus headaches and facial pressure
  • Sore throat and cough

While some sinus infections may require antibiotics or prescription medications, many times there are ways that you can treat the symptoms of your sinus infection at home.

  • Hot, steamy showers to help loosen mucus
  • A Neti pot or saline spray

Treating your symptoms as early as you can is important because if left untreated sinus infections can have a lasting or even permanent impact on your health.

Hyposmia Reduced Sense Of Smell

Treatment for sinus infections

If you have hyposmia, you may be able to smell some things but not others, so its possible you can have this condition without realizing it. Studies show that many people with COVID-19 have hyposmia, even though they think their sense of smell is fine. This condition is also caused by aging, medical conditions and illness.

If you had complete loss of smell from COVID-19, you may experience hyposmia during the recovery process since the ability to smell often comes back gradually. As it does, there may be times that youll only be able to smell or taste things with strong odors.

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How Can A Medical Professional Help Me Recover Taste And Smell After Covid

It may take a long time to start noticing improvements in your taste and smell. But having the support of a doctor or clinician to explain long haul COVID treatment can make the process easier.

Start by making an appointment with your primary care doctor. Theyll talk with you about your medical history, how long youve been experiencing taste and smell issues, and your treatment goals. Theyll also conduct an exam or order any tests that can help understand your condition and make the best treatment plan.

Then based on your symptoms and goals, your primary care doctor can help identify other specialists who may be able to help, including:

  • Occupational therapist When you work with an occupational therapist, youll get exercises, education and personalized instruction to help you regain or fix your sense of smell. In some cases, they may also use different forms of manual therapy to improve how your olfactory nerves work.
  • Ear, nose and throat doctor If youre suffering from anosmia, you may also want to make an appointment with an ear, nose and throat doctor. Theyll be able to discuss other possible treatment options and ongoing clinical trials.

Alternative treatments may also be an option. For example, acupuncture may help get you smelling again. During an acupuncture procedure, your specialist will place thin, hair-like needles in different locations on your face and gently move them around.

How Do Doctors Treat Sinus Infections

One the diagnosis is made, the typical treatment for sinus infection is antibiotics to clear up the bacteria causing the sinus infection. Although, the overuse of antibiotics is a cause for concern, so many doctors will prescribe these medications if your symptoms extend beyond seven to 10 days.

Your doctor may also prescribe a topical nasal corticosteroid to reverse the swelling in the sinuses. Finally, over-the-counter medications to help you cope with the daily symptoms of a sinus infection while the medications begin to do their work.

Some of the typical over-the-counter symptom relievers include:

  • Antihistamines can block the inflammation that swells your sinus passages
  • Nasal decongestant sprays can be used on a limited basis
  • Nasal saline washes can clear out heavy mucus
  • Topical nasal corticosteroids

Sinus infections can last for several weeks, or if they are chronic, for even longer. If youre feeling ill, its a good idea to reach out to your doctor for treatment. Your clinical team can diagnose, and treat your illness to make you more comfortable and help you heal.Oviedo Medical Research specializes in Phase II through IV clinical trials designed to yield the medications and vaccines that doctors depend on. If youre interested in joining us for a clinical trial, contact us.

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What Causes Acute Sinusitis

Your chances of developing acute sinusitis are highest right after a common cold or upper respiratory illness when the conditions inside the nasal passages are ripe for inflammation. The longer inflammation is present, the thicker mucus becomes, causing it to become trapped inside the membranes. Proper mucus drainage no longer occurs. As these conditions persist, they provide the perfect breeding ground for bacteria accumulation, pressure buildup and sinus infections.

Treating Loss Of Taste And Smell

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If you lose your sense of taste or smell, you should talk to a healthcare professional. They will work to identify the cause of your loss. That will determine what treatment is used.

If your loss is due to a medical issue, addressing that can help return your sense of smell. This might mean changing medications, getting treatment for congestion, or starting an allergy medication.

In other cases, like with COVID-19 or a concussion, youll have to wait for your senses of taste and smell to return. Some people experience a spontaneous return or their sense of taste and smell but, in rare cases, the conditions can be permanent.

You can also adopt lifestyle changes to enhance sensations of taste and smell. Cooking with aromatic ingredients, using bold colors, or adding spices can increase your satisfaction from meals. Counseling can also help with the emotional side of losing your sense of taste and smell.

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What Causes A Sinus Infection

Sinus infections are more common in people who suffer from seasonal allergies or asthma. If you have a structural blockage in the nose, such as a deviated septum or nasal polyps, you may have more frequent sinus infections. If you have a weakened immune system, you may be more prone to infections of all kinds, including sinusitis.

While the common cold and flu are caused by the influenza virus, and COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus, a sinus infection can stem from a viral or bacterial infection. Either way, its a painful condition that can make you feel lousy for weeks.

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses, those air-filled pockets that exist in your face:

  • Behind the bridge of your nose
  • Directly in front of your brain
  • In the bony structures of your cheeks
  • On both sides of the bridge of your nose

Normally, your sinuses are lined with a light layer of mucus that trap germs, dust, and other particles that we breathe. There are tiny hairs in your nose that sweep whatever is captured into the back of your throat and into your stomach. This is a normal cyclic procedure that happens without your awareness. That is, until something goes wrong with the process.

A sinus infection inflames the lining of the sinuses and blocks the flow of mucus to the back of the throat. The swelling stops up this efficient elimination system leading potentially to an infection.

Sinus Infection Vs Covid

Some sinus infection and COVID-19 symptoms may overlap. Both illnesses can cause a fever, headaches, nasal congestion, fatigue or a sore throat. Symptoms unique to COVID-19 include body aches, nausea, shortness of breath and vomiting. Learn the difference between the cold, flu and COVID-19 based on your symptoms.

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If you suddenly lose your taste after you have regained it, it could mean you have an infection.

An infection would lead to increased swelling, which interferes with the smell receptors in the nose.

This effect, in return, interferes with your sense of taste. The infection may be due to the swelling, mucus, dry blood, or crusting in your nose.

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Sinus infection can be miserable for some people. It is painful, inconvenient, and tricky to treat. Sinus infection can cause loss of taste. You can get your taste back after a sinus infection but it may become tricky to manage the symptoms. It seems to start a bit cruelly but may take a long time fighting with flu, cold and other symptoms.

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What About Nasal Polyps And Other Causes

If the diminished sense of smell and taste persists after an infection has cleared, or if the patient didnt have an infection to begin with, nasal polyps could be the cause. Nasal polyps are soft, painless, noncancerous growths on the lining of your nasal passages or sinuses. They hang down like teardrops or grapes. They result from chronic inflammation and are associated with asthma, recurring infection, allergies, drug sensitivity or certain immune disorders.

“I’ve seen nasal polyps so large they were literally growing out of a patients nostril, or so small we needed a CT scan to see them,” says Dr. McConnell.

Polyps cause problems because they block the air flow to olfactory fibers. These are located in the upper part of the sinuses and deliver information about scent to the brain.

“When we inhale, the air passes over the olfactory fibers, but if they are blocked by polyps, they cant function as well,” McConnell says. Removing nasal polyps is an endoscopic, outpatient procedure. Patients should regain lost smell within three to six months of polyp removal.

Other causes of smell disorders are rare, but include underlying brain tumors, head injuries, dental problems, side effects from certain cancer treatments, Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease.

How To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection Odors

The best way to get rid of sinus infection odors is to seek sinus infection treatment. For some, over-the-counter medications and rest are enough treatment to do the trick. And we also recommend checking out our list of the best foods for sinus infection treatment.

But for those suffering from frequent or chronic sinus infections, it may be best to seek additional medical treatment. One of the most minimally invasive treatments available for chronic sinusitis is balloon sinuplasty, which is an in-office procedure that provides long-lasting sinusitis relief.

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Loss Of Smell And Taste

A side effect of nasal congestion is that you will find it challenging to smell or taste. Again, the swelling is to blame since the scents and aromas you are used to cant reach the top of the nose.

Sometimes, the inflammation presses down on the nervous system, impacting the signal that triggers taste and smell. Allergies and a cold can also cause these symptoms, which is why its vital to speak to a professional ENT doctor if youre concerned.

Sinus Infections: What You Should Know

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When you have a sinus infection, your sinuses are prone to get inflamed.

As already discussed earlier, sinus infection occurs when theres an excess build-up of fluids in your sinuses. If your infection is acute, you may find it hard to breathe through your nose.

Also, the areas surrounding your eyes and face are likely to get swollen. You may also get bogged down by a headache.

As indicated earlier, your sinus infection should let up after a week or up to 10 days, especially if you use remedies.

Sinus infection that persists for over eight to 12 weeks is called chronic sinus infection

Symptoms include

  • A reduced sense of smell

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