Anosmia is the lack of sense of smell. It can be caused by upper respiratory infections, nasal polyps, head trauma, old age, toxins, or viruses. While anosmia caused by brain damage cannot be treated, inflammation or changes in the nasal mucosa can sometimes be treated with glucocorticoids. Anosmia affects less than 200,000 people in the United States.

1. Anosmia

2. Definition
 It’s the lacking of the sense of smell.

3. Causes
 Upper respiratory tract infection
 Nasal polyps
 Head trauma, damage to the ethmoid bone
 Old age
 Toxins (methacrylates,cadmium,acrylates)
 Neurotropic virus

4. Symptoms
 Loss of smell
 Some people – a change in the way things
smell

5. Treatment
 Can’t be treated if caused by brain damage
 If caused by inflammation changes in the
mucosa, it can be treated with
glucocorticoids.

6. Statistics
 Affects less than 200,000 people in the US
population