A loss of the sense of smell can have a negative impact on a patient.
Problems associated with a loss of smell:
(1) decreased enjoyment of food, with the potential for decreased nutritional intake
(2) decreased enjoyment of pleasant odors in the environment
(3) inability to detect hazards with an odor (a fire, gas leak, spoiled food, etc)
(4) unable to detect problems of personal hygiene
Risk factors:
(1) older age
(2) current smoking
(3) stroke
(4) epilepsy
(5) nasal congestion
(6) upper respiratory tract infection
The patient may not be aware that there is a problem. A person with one or more of these risk factors should have the sense of smell tested.
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Purpose: To determine if a patient with a decreased sense of smell is impaired as a result.
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Neurology
Objective: disability and performance, quality of life
ICD-10: R43,
