Surviving a serious infection such as COVID-19 is a tremendous privilege and gift. However, its symptoms can produce long-lasting or even lifelong effects in its aftermath. One of these symptoms includes a reduced or complete loss of smell, otherwise known as anosmia. Many people still report that their sense of smell “has never been the same” since contracting COVID-19, even after they have recovered from it. A lot of these people have surrendered to the fact that their sense of smell is permanently damaged, not really knowing the available anosmia treatment options out there.
If you’re in search of an easy yet effective solution to this condition, there is hope. Here’s what you need to understand about anosmia, as well as how to treat it:
Understanding Anosmia
Anosmia affects not only a person’s enjoyment of life but also their safety. While it’s your sense of smell that helps to stimulate your appetite, excitement, or relaxation, it is also a critical function of your body that helps to warn you against toxins and dangerous substances.
Anosmia can be caused by several things, such as chronic nasal congestion, sinus infections, allergies, or long COVID. It may even be linked to conditions such as diabetes and chronic smoking, and in special cases, it can also be due to nasal polyps that block the nasal passages or even nerve trauma from surgery or a head injury. It can occur either partially or fully, depending on the extent of someone’s condition, and its effects may either be temporary or long-lasting.
Symptoms of Anosmia
There are a few surefire ways to tell if you might need anosmia treatment. Some of these symptoms include the following:
- Complete lost sense of smell
- Nasal congestion or blockage
- Reduced sense of taste affected by the loss of smell
- Inflammation in the nasal passages
- Other respiratory problems
Anosmia Treatment
So, is anosmia treatment possible? Since anosmia can be a complex condition, the answer may not be as straightforward for everyone. However, yes, there are anosmia treatment options that are available depending on one’s exact needs. Non-surgical anosmia treatment requires looking into the root cause of a patient’s anosmia and recommending treatment based on these underlying conditions.
SGB for Long COVID-Induced Anosmia
Many people suffer from anosmia as a symptom of long COVID. Even long after COVID-19 and without nasal congestion, a person’s sense of smell may be affected as a result of the dysregulation of certain nervous systems that are involved in one’s sense of smell. Anosmia treatment for long COVID patients may include a stellate ganglion block (SGB) that works by injecting an inhibitor around the sympathetic nerves around your head and neck, thereby correcting or “resetting” them so you can regain your sense of smell. In some cases, an SGB also works to provide relief for other conditions, such as chronic pain.
Get Fast and Effective Anosmia Treatment Today
Southwest Pain Management provides anosmia treatment through a non-surgical, effective, and fast-acting method in the form of an SGB. Learn more about SGB and how you can find relief from anosmia by contacting us today.