The scents of roast turkey and buttery mashed potatoes, alongside a pumpkin pie stuffed with cinnamon and nutmeg, make Thanksgiving a treat for the nose, as well as the taste buds. However, if you’re dealing with anosmia, a loss of smell, those Thanksgiving foods don’t pack quite the same punch. Not only will you miss out on the rich aroma, but your lack of smell can also affect your sense of taste, robbing you of the flavors in your long-anticipated meal.
Let’s examine why anosmia occurs and what you can do to manage it in time for Thanksgiving.
What Causes Anosmia?
Your nose has special scent receptors that collect smells and send information about them to your brain. Anosmia arises when something blocks your nose or interferes with the signals your scent receptors send to your brain. A few conditions that cause physical blockages include:
- Colds and flu
- Sinus infections
- Allergies
- Nasal polyps
- Deviated septum
- COVID-19
Issues that affect how well the scent receptors in your nose work include, but are not limited to:
- Multiple sclerosis
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Brain tumors
- Parkinson’s
- High blood pressure
- Brain tumors
Certain medications can interfere with the sense of smell, including but not limited to antibiotics and antihistamines. Although rare, some people in the U.S. are born with congenital anosmia, meaning they’ll never have a sense of smell.
How Can I Manage Anosmia in Time for Thanksgiving?
Managing anosmia starts with treating the underlying condition. For example, if you’re suffering from allergies, your ENT specialist will recommend allergy medication to clear your congestion. If it’s from a specific medication, they may prescribe you an alternative option if there’s one available that doesn’t affect your sense of smell. Your sense of smell should return after you treat the underlying condition.
Managing anosmia caused by issues with the connection between the smell receptors and your brain, as is the case with Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease, is a little trickier. For those cases, ask the provider responsible for managing those conditions what your options are for treating or managing anosmia.
Clearing Congestion on Thanksgiving Day
If your anosmia results from a simple nasal blockage, as is the case with sinus infections and allergies, there are a few day-of tactics you can use for temporary relief:
- Nasal irrigation. Irrigate your sinuses with a saline solution and a Neti pot or nasal rinse bottle. You can find a kit at most pharmacies in Fort Collins.
- Take decongestants. A decongestant can provide short-term relief from congestion—just long enough to enjoy your meal. Avoid using the medication for more than a couple of days to prevent rebound congestion.
- Steam. Fill a bowl with steaming water and breathe in the steam. The moisture will hydrate your sinuses and encourage mucus drainage.
If you’re battling consistent congestion that you’re worried will interfere with your Thanksgiving, contact Alpine Ear Nose & Throat PC today to schedule an evaluation with one of our specialists.