Find clinic locations for Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics and services in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
Find services offered by Fort HealthCare and affiliated clinics in Jefferson County, Wisconsin.
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The most common smell and taste disorders are:
Anosmia. Loss of sense of smell.
Ageusia. Loss of sense of taste.
Hyposmia. Reduced ability to smell.
Hypogeusia. Reduced ability to taste sweet, sour, bitter, salty things, or other flavors
In other disorders, odors, tastes, or flavors may be misread or changed. They may cause you to get a bad odor or taste from something that is normally pleasant to smell or taste. These disorders can affect quality of life. They may also be a sign of an underlying disease.
Problems with taste and smell may be signs of certain health problems, such as:
Obesity
Diabetes
COVID-19
High blood pressure
Poor nutrition
Nervous system diseases such as:
Parkinson disease
Alzheimer disease
Multiple sclerosis
Some people are born with these disorders but most are caused by:
Illness, such as cold or flu, COVID-19, sinus infection, and allergies
Head injury
Hormone changes
Dental or mouth problems
Nasal polyps
Exposure to certain chemicals
Certain medicines
Exposure to radiation therapy for head or neck cancer
Cocaine snorted through the nose
Cigarette smoking
Symptoms can vary. Some people may not be able to smell or taste anything. Others may have a reduced ability to smell or taste certain things that are sweet, sour, bitter, or salty. In some cases, normally pleasant tastes or smells may become unpleasant.
Along with a complete health history and physical exam, other tests may include:
Measuring the lowest strength of a chemical that you can recognize
Comparing tastes and smells of different chemicals
"Scratch and sniff" tests
"Sip, spit, and rinse" tests where chemicals are placed on certain parts of the tongue
Treatment will depend on your symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is.
Treatment may include:
Stopping or changing medicines that help lead to the disorder
Correcting the underlying health problem
Surgery to remove blockages that may be causing the disorder
Counseling
Quitting smoking
Both smell and taste disorders affect quality of life. But smell disorders can be dangerous. They make you less able to notice such things as:
Fire
Poisonous fumes
Leaking gas
Spoiled food and drinks
Taste disorders can affect nutrition and lead to weight loss and malnutrition. They can also harm the immune system and make other health conditions worse.
Losing the senses of smell and taste are the most common smell and taste disorders.
Other disorders include the reduced ability to smell or taste certain substances that are sweet, sour, bitter, or salty.
For some people, normally pleasant tastes or smells may become unpleasant.
Treatments for smell and taste disorders often include treating the underlying cause.
Smell and taste disorders can affect quality of life and should be treated.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:
Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen.
Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.
Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your provider gives you.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.
Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.
If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
Know how you can contact your healthcare provider if you have questions.