Smell Loss (Anosmia) – Assessment & Treatment
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Platelet Rich Plasma
Loss of smell can significantly impact your quality of life, safety, and nutrition. Our specialist assessment helps identify the cause and determine the most effective treatment path.
What is Smell Loss (Anosmia)?
Anosmia is the partial or complete loss of the sense of smell. It can be temporary or permanent, depending on the underlying cause, and often affects the sense of taste as well.
Patients may notice:
• Inability to detect common household odors
• Reduced enjoyment of food and drink
• Difficulty identifying hazardous smells like smoke or gas
Common Causes of Smell Loss
There are several reasons why smell may diminish or disappear entirely:
• Viruses (including Post-COVID-19 syndrome)
• Chronic Sinusitis and Nasal Polyps
• Head Trauma or Injury
• Allergic Rhinitis
• Age-related changes or neurological conditions
Our goal is to identify the specific underlying cause to guide your recovery.
When Should You Seek Assessment?
- Sudden and unexplained loss of smell
- Smell loss following a head injury
- Persistent loss lasting more than two weeks
- Parosmia (distorted smells, such as things smelling burnt or chemical)
How Smell Loss is Assessed
• Detailed clinical history and symptom review
• Nasal Endoscopy to check for obstructions or polyps
• Smell Identification Tests (UPSIT or Sniffin’ Sticks)
• Imaging (MRI or CT) if central causes are suspected
This helps determine whether the cause is:
• Conductive: A physical blockage preventing odors from reaching receptors.
• Sensorineural: Damage to the nerves or the brain’s processing center.
Treatment Options for Smell Loss
Depending on the diagnosis, treatment may include:
• Treating underlying inflammation (nasal sprays or oral steroids)
• Surgical removal of nasal polyps or obstructions
• Olfactory Retraining Therapy (Smell Training)
Are There Advanced Treatment Options?
For persistent or complex cases, we explore emerging therapies:
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections into the nasal cavity
• Vitamin supplementation (e.g., Vitamin A drops)
Success rates vary, and these options are discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Specialist Care for Smell Disorders
Dr Vyas Prasad is a UK-trained ENT consultant with extensive experience in neuro-laryngology and rhinology. He provides a dedicated approach to assessing sensory disorders of the nose and throat.
Our care focus includes:
• Evidence-based diagnostics
• Personalized recovery plans
• Support for long-term smell rehabilitation
Frequently Asked Questions
Can smell loss be permanent?
While many cases resolve with treatment or time (especially post-viral loss), some cases caused by severe trauma or neurological damage can be permanent. Early intervention provides the best results.
What is parosmia?
Parosmia is a distortion of smell. Normal odors may smell unpleasant, chemical, or burnt. This is often a sign that the olfactory nerves are attempting to regrow and recover.
How long does smell training take?
Smell training (olfactory retraining) usually requires daily practice for 3 to 6 months to see meaningful improvement in the ability to identify scents.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) for Smell Loss
What is PRP Therapy?
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is an advanced therapeutic approach that utilizes the natural healing properties of your own body. PRP is prepared directly from the patient’s own blood, ensuring a biocompatible treatment that focuses on cell regeneration and tissue repair.
How PRP is Prepared
The process begins with a standard blood draw. Your blood is then placed in a specialized centrifuge and processed to concentrate the platelets. This concentration contains essential growth factors that are instrumental in supporting the health and recovery of sensory tissues.
Targeted Delivery to the Olfactory Niche
The concentrated PRP is delivered with precision. Under gentle endoscopic guidance, the specialist injects the PRP into the olfactory niche, located high in the nasal cavity. This targeted delivery ensures that the healing factors are applied directly to the site of the smell receptors.
Recovery and Results
This treatment is designed to support the natural recovery of the sense of smell. While early evidence is promising, it is important to note that results can vary between individual cases, and research into the full long-term benefits of PRP for anosmia is ongoing.
