The nose knows: Unraveling the enigmatic link between the sense of smell and mortality
Anosmia, the complete inability to identify odors, contrasts with hyposmia, which involves a partial loss of the sense of smell. People with anosmia can still know basic tastes such as salty, sweet, sour, and bitter, but may have difficulty discerning specific flavors.
Surprisingly, the ability to distinguish flavors depends primarily on the sense of smell, rather than the taste receptors on the tongue. Therefore, those who experience smell loss often record a diminished sense of taste and a decreased enjoyment of food.
Typically, people note changes in their sense of smell around age 60, with the most significant changes occurring after age 70.
Causes
The causes of anosmia diversify and can include conditions that lead to inflammation or blockage of the nasal passages, avoiding odors from reaching the olfactory area, or destroy to parts of the olfactory system or the nerves that connect it to the brain.
Head injuries, especially in young adults. Viral infections. Alzheimer’s disease, predominantly in the elderly.
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