If you are still experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, it can be incredibly challenging to go through life daily. You may be wondering if these symptoms will ever go away. Parosmia is one of those things that can affect people even after they have recovered from the illness. The ability to taste and smell can be taken for granted. For some who have experienced these symptoms as a result of COVID-19, parosmia can take a while to subside. Read ahead to find out more about this condition and how to manage it after COVID-19.
What Is Parosmia?
Parosmia, also known as olfactory dysfunction, is a condition in which a patient’s sense of smell is disrupted. Some people who experienced this condition as they battled COVID-19 experience loss of smell even after other symptoms have long gone. This can be inconvenient, to say the least. Fortunately, no matter how long this disruption to the sense of smell lasts, it is only temporary.
How Does It Work?
When the body is struck with a viral illness, the nerve receptors in the nose can become damaged. This is what causes the infamous loss or disruption of smell. Parosmia can be caused by several illnesses, not just COVID-19. Some of these illnesses include sinus infections, the common cold, and seizures.
It has been noted that patients who are younger and female experience parosmia more often. While it is unclear why this happens, most people regain their senses in about 18-24 months.
Managing Parosmia
While there are no specific cures for this condition, there are a few ways that medical professionals have found to make the symptoms more manageable. Here are a few. One of the most useful therapies has been the stellate ganglion block. Other therapies such as external ear stimulation and nicotine patch have shown to be successful.
Olfactory Retraining
Olfactory retraining is a non-pharmaceutical management technique for patients with parosmia. It involves smelling strong scents on a regular basis to try to help reconnect the nose and the brain. While this technique may sound outlandish, patients have noticed a change in smell in as little as six weeks.
Diet Modifications
While it may not always be pleasant, simple diet modifications can make a huge difference in managing the effects of parosmia. Some modifications to try include eating more bland food or eating food at cold and room temperature. Complex aromas and steam can trigger parosmia, making it more challenging to overcome.
While home remedies might seem like the best choice in times of desperation, be sure to check with your physician or a specialist before attempting it.
Regain Your Lost Sense of Smell With Southwest Pain Management
At Southwest Pain Management, patients can depend on top-quality care for loss of smell. Parosmia serves as a constant reminder of a challenging time. Relief begins at Southwest Pain Management.
Since 2020, we’ve become a trusted name in Long COVID treatment all over the globe. We treat a variety of conditions, such as tinnitus, anxiety, depression, chronic fatigue, brain fog, loss of taste, parosmia, and more. Contact Southwest Pain Management today to book an appointment and find out how we can help you.