[Atlantic]

N/A

[Moma]

(09-29-2014 05:20 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  

Over the last few years my sense of smell has dropped off massively.

I am only mid twenties and in good shape with no none health issues. I used to smoke a little but only ever when out drinking. I jog and go to the gym. I don't think I am allergic to anything but something my nose will 'drip'/sneeze a lot if I am around AC units.

I drink Almond milk and don't consume much dairy apart from eggs.

The only causes I can see is if I need to blow my nose I blow it pretty aggressively and that I cold water surfed for years. Maybe the cold water or blowing my nose has damaged something. It has been dropping off for a few years and I usually don't smell something unless its a very strong smell -gasoline, cinnamon, aftershave.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to improve a sense of smell or find out what would be causing this?

Thanks

Do you smell fart or BO?

[Atlantic]

^Ha Not sure if trolling but only if they are particularly strong or I am very close.

I can remember how good my sense of smell used to be and I would say its 25-40% of that nowadays.

[WesternCancer]

When did you start noticing it changing? Was it more of a sudden thing these past few years? has your sense of taste been affected in the same way?

Extreme cold, medications, chemicals (and their vapors) could all damage the smell receptors in your nose.

You could also just have a low level sinus infection blocking things or an allergy.

Not to spook you, but it could also be on the neurological side of things.

Either way I'd go see a doctor about it if its affecting you pretty badly.

[berserk]

Go see a doctor. Get an MR scan (nose, sinus, brain) to be sure. Best to get things ruled out even if you will be nervous while you're waiting for results.

[Atlantic]

Na my sense of taste seems good, I enjoy the food I eat.

It started probably about four years ago and seems to drop off slowly enough. It hasn't got any worse in the last year or maybe its getting to a level where I am not even noticing it is getting worse.

I had a blocked nose on/off for quite a while when I worked in the outdoors (teaching surfing) plus the Irish water can be pretty damn cold.

I think I might go see a specialist soon cause there is always that chances that it could be something a lot more serious.

Would an allergy test help also?

[Moma]

Atlantic, you are Irish but you now live in Canada. It could be the change of environment affecting you in different ways. For instance, when I moved to Toronto, I found the taste of Canadian bottled water almost unbearable. I thought it was me for the longest while but I realised afterwards that North America is a bit different.

I agree with Cancer and co. Go for a doc test.

[Days of Broken Arrows]

I've had lifelong sinus problems, so maybe I can help.

First off, it only takes a little bit of inflammation anywhere inside your sinus passages to mess up the whole system. That includes everything from earaches (because of pressure changes) to sinus blockage to diminished sense of taste and smell. So if you're aggressively blowing your nose, you've likely got inflammation going on.

What causes inflammation? Usually allergic reaction, which causes the sinus tissue to go on "red alert" and produce mucus -- which, in turn, creates more inflammation.

Have you taken any antihistamines like Benadryl? They can reduce this whole process by stopping (temporarily) the allergic reaction. You may also want to try a decongestant, like Sudafed, to just clear your sinus passages.

Also, have you used any nasal inhalers, like Nasacort? If so, these have been known to screw up your sinuses long term. About 60-70 percent of my sense of taste is gone, probably from Nasacort. Avoid this drug and others like it if possible.

Here in the US, there is a clinic at the University of Connecticut -- The Taste and Smell Center in Farmington, Conn. -- that specializes in getting to the root of this sort of problem. So you can always go there. Most average ear, nose, and throat doctors don't know what to do.

Writer/editor Jason Feifer suffers from no sense of taste or smell and wrote about the clinic in a Washington Post piece in 2005, which I recommend you read: ("I Don't Smell a Thing").

Finally, not to worry you, but lack of a sense of smell sometimes is a symptom of some other disease -- like Parkinson's, for example (according to Michael J. Fox's Web site). So it's worth checking in with a physician to rule things like this out.

Good luck. With me what helps sometimes is taking Benadryl.

[Hades]

I know a few farmers and ranchers who have been exposed to various chemicals (formeldahyde, heavy metals, insecticides and herbicides) who have similar issues. It's possible that you're being exposed to toxins and are not aware of it.

[scotian]

Exposure to Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas causes loss of smell at 100-150 parts per million, as you surely learned in the H2S Alive course, hopefully you aren't regularly exposed to that much H2S, but its a possibilty since you are a greasy rig pig.

[Atlantic]

^Cant remember if that was temporary or permanent though?

[EagleMan]

Try the neti pot, I always have a greater sense of smell after using it.

[scotian]

(09-29-2014 09:04 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  

^Cant remember if that was temporary or permanent though?

The loss of smell is an immediate temporary side effect to H2S exposure at those levels, but a more permanent loss of smell could be a side effect of prolonged exposure at lower levels, something to look into. We work with some pretty heavy duty chemicals and known carcinogens man, I've been exposed to asbestos before and high levels of heavy metals and known carcinogens but do my best to limit exposure. You may want to visit a doctor about this, it may be your body telling you something, and its Canada, so its free bro!

[kbell]

I have some sort inflammation in my right nostril all the time. Bad allergies, and can't smell well either. Also I take clariten generic everyday and have been using nasal sprays infrequently but don't notice any improvements with it. I can taste really well though, where I can often distinguish the different seasoning in a food.

[germanico]

Get a check up. Ever since I stopped smoking (4 years now) my sense of smell has gone up, and I would say its even better than before. I couldnt imagine losing that now that i have it.

Try the neti pot, and experiment with over the counter antihistaminics, see if that lowers the inflammation, and if you notice any difference once your nasal cavities are clear, then youve found your culprit.

[kbell]

The nasal spray is flonase I take. Not sure if that will cause smell damage though. I think its a simple anti-histamine.

[Atlantic]

Thabks for the advice guys. Ill get a check up soon and see what is going on.

[Soma]

Research published today shows that losing one's sense of smell is a strong predictor of mortality within 5 years:

Olfactory Dysfunction Predicts 5-Year Mortality in Older Adults
Jayant M. Pinto, Kristen E. Wroblewski, David W. Kern, L. Philip Schumm, Martha K. McClintock

Quote:

Olfactory function is thus one of the strongest predictors of 5-year mortality and may serve as a bellwether for slowed cellular regeneration or as a marker of cumulative toxic environmental exposures.

Quote:

We believe olfaction is the canary in the coalmine of human health, not that its decline directly causes death. Olfactory dysfunction is a harbinger of either fundamental mechanisms of aging, environmental exposure, or interactions between the two. Unique among the senses, the olfactory system depends on stem cell turnover, and thus may serve as an indicator of deterioration in age-related regenerative capacity more broadly or as a marker of physiologic repair function.

Losing one of your main senses is a pretty serious health issue, especially at a young age. You'll want to get this figured out as soon as possible.