LOSING THE SENSE OF SMELL – AND GETTING IT BACK
Like millions of other people, Laura Atkins caught Covid last year. Her symptoms were not severe, and she recovered almost completely within a few weeks. However, one problem still troubled her months later: her sense of smell disappeared and this also prevented her from tasting most foods. The inability to smell, called anosmia, sometimes develops during a Covid infection. Usually, it doesn’t last very long. According to research, the sense of smell returns within a few weeks of recovery from the infection. However, for 5% of patients, anosmia can last for six months or more.(lines 1–6)
The loss of the ability to smell and taste may seem less worrying than other long-term effects of Covid, such as heart problems. Sometimes, however, it can have a negative impact on people’s health. For example, the inability to enjoy food can lead to loss of appetite, and that can result in serious medical conditions. In addition, people need their sense of smell to alert them to various dangers, such as smoke from a fire. And then there are people who use their senses of smell and taste at work. Atkins herself is a chef at a restaurant. "Obviously, to do my job I have to recognize the smell and flavor of the dishes I’m preparing," she says.(lines 7–13)
Anosmia is not new to doctors. Patients occasionally develop this condition when they have a cold or the flu. "In the past, there was almost no research on the problem because it went away as soon as people got well again," says neurologist Dr. Anna Greensmith. "But now with Covid, it doesn’t. So researchers have begun investigating how Covid causes anosmia. They still don’t have a full answer, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking for an effective cure."(lines 14–18)
At the moment, the most promising treatment is smell training. Patients are required to choose four familiar, strong smells and to sniff them twice a day. They are also asked to visualize situations in which they have experienced these smells. For example, if they choose the smell of a shampoo, they might imagine themselves washing their hair. "We believe this helps the brain recall the smells, and that’s an important part of the treatment," explains Greensmith.(lines 19–23)
People doing smell training need a great deal of patience because the sense of smell returns very gradually. Atkins, who is also going through treatment, is pleased with her progress. "It’s a long process," she says, "but I’ve finally recovered enough to go back to work at the restaurant."(lines 24–26)